Bulletin 872 Inductive

The Allen-Bradley Bulletin 872 family — marketed as the WorldProx line — is a broad range of inductive proximity sensors designed for reliable non-contact detection across general industrial, weld-field-immune, and food/beverage applications. Buyers can decode any catalog number systematically: the second-letter suffix identifies the form factor (C = nickel-brass tubular, T = stainless tubular, Z/ZT = weld-field-immune, F = flat-pack, and others), while the leading electrical-class character distinguishes AC 2-wire (A/C), DC 3-wire (D/N/M), and relay-output (B) configurations. The sensing-distance digit embedded in the suffix — commonly 2, 4, 5, 10, or 15 mm — is followed by N (NPN sinking) or P (PNP sourcing) for DC models, then the barrel diameter (12, 18, or 30 mm corresponding to M12, M18, or M30 thread). The trailing connector code specifies termination style: D4 = M12 4-pin micro QD, E2 = 2 m cable, N4 = 4-pin mini QD. Representative in-stock models include the 872C-DH15NP30-D4 (15 mm sensing, 30 mm barrel, PNP, micro QD), the 872C-N12NP18-D4 (12 mm sensing, 18 mm barrel, PNP), and the 872C-B15BR30-E2 (relay output, 30 mm barrel). Full electrical ratings and dimensional data are available in the Allen-Bradley Inductive Proximity Sensors Technical Data (PROX-TD001).