PM-F64 Equivalent & Substitute Parts

Part Overview

The PM-F64 is an optical sensor module manufactured by Panasonic Industrial Automation Sales, designed for through-beam sensing applications with a 0.197" (5mm) sensing distance. The sensor features NPN output with selectable Dark-ON/Light-ON operation, making it suitable for slot-type mounting configurations. The product is currently obsolete, necessitating identification of equivalent and substitute components for ongoing system maintenance and new design implementations.

Key Parameters

Parameter	Value
Manufacturer Part Number	PM-F64
Manufacturer	Panasonic Industrial Automation Sales
Category	Optical Sensors
Series	PM-64
Sensing Distance	0.197" (5mm)
Sensing Method	Through-Beam
Output Configuration	NPN - Dark-ON/Light-ON - Selectable
Current - DC Forward (If) (Max)	50 mA
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	15 mA
Voltage - Collector Emitter Breakdown (Max)	30 V
Response Time	20µs
Operating Temperature	-25°C ~ 55°C
Mounting Type	Chassis Mount
Package / Case	Module, Connector, Slot Type
Type	Unamplified
RoHS Status	RoHS Compliant
Product Status	Obsolete

Substitute Part Grouping Explanation

Substitute parts for the PM-F64 are identified based on the following critical parameters that determine functional compatibility:

Parametric Equivalent Criteria:

Sensing distance: 0.197" (5mm)
Sensing method: Through-Beam
Output configuration: NPN - Dark-ON/Light-ON - Selectable
Response time: 20µs
Operating temperature range: -25°C ~ 55°C
Mounting type: Chassis Mount
Package type: Module, Connector, Slot Type

Similar Substitute Criteria:

Sensing method: Through-Beam
Output configuration: NPN-based
Response time: 20µs
Operating temperature range: -25°C ~ 55°C
Mounting type: Chassis Mount
Package type: Module, Connector

The PM-L64 qualifies as a parametric equivalent, matching all critical electrical and mechanical specifications. The PM-F65 qualifies as a similar substitute with compatible through-beam sensing and NPN output, though with a different sensing distance (0.236" / 6mm) and modified output configuration (Open Collector vs. selectable Dark-ON/Light-ON).

Parameter Comparison

Parameter	PM-F64 (Main)	PM-L64 (Parametric Equivalent)	PM-F65 (Similar Substitute)
Manufacturer	Panasonic Industrial Automation Sales	Panasonic Industrial Automation Sales	Panasonic Industrial Automation Sales
Category	Optical Sensors	Optical Sensors	Optical Sensors
Sensing Distance	0.197" (5mm)	0.197" (5mm)	0.236" (6mm)
Sensing Method	Through-Beam	Through-Beam	Through-Beam
Output Configuration	NPN - Dark-ON/Light-ON - Selectable	NPN - Dark-ON/Light-ON - Selectable	NPN - Open Collector
Current - Collector (Ic) (Max)	15 mA	15 mA	Not specified
Response Time	20µs	20µs	20µs
Operating Temperature	-25°C ~ 55°C	-25°C ~ 55°C	-25°C ~ 55°C (TA)
Mounting Type	Chassis Mount	Chassis Mount	Chassis Mount
Package / Case	Module, Connector, Slot Type	Module, Connector, Slot Type	Module, Connector
Type	Unamplified	Unamplified	Not specified
RoHS Status	RoHS Compliant	RoHS Compliant	ROHS3 Compliant
Product Status	Obsolete	Obsolete	Active

Engineering Selection Recommendations

PM-L64 (Parametric Equivalent): The PM-L64 is the direct parametric equivalent to the PM-F64, matching all critical electrical and mechanical specifications. Both components are obsolete products from the same PM-64 series. Selection of the PM-L64 is appropriate for direct replacement in existing designs where the PM-F64 is no longer available. Both components maintain identical RoHS compliance status.

PM-F65 (Similar Substitute): The PM-F65 is an active product from the PM-65 series and represents a functional alternative for through-beam sensing applications. The primary difference is the increased sensing distance (0.236" / 6mm vs. 0.197" / 5mm) and modified output configuration (NPN Open Collector vs. selectable Dark-ON/Light-ON). The PM-F65 offers improved supply voltage flexibility (5V ~ 24V) and enhanced RoHS3 compliance. Selection of the PM-F65 is appropriate when the increased sensing distance is compatible with the application requirements and when the Open Collector output configuration can be accommodated in the circuit design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can the PM-L64 be used as a direct replacement for the PM-F64? A: Yes. The PM-L64 is a parametric equivalent with identical sensing distance, output configuration, response time, and operating temperature range. Both are obsolete products from the same series with matching electrical and mechanical specifications.

Q: What is the primary difference between the PM-F64 and PM-F65? A: The PM-F65 has a larger sensing distance (0.236" / 6mm vs. 0.197" / 5mm) and uses NPN Open Collector output instead of the selectable Dark-ON/Light-ON configuration. The PM-F65 is an active product with broader supply voltage support (5V ~ 24V).

Q: Is the PM-F65 suitable for applications requiring the PM-F64's selectable Dark-ON/Light-ON output? A: No. The PM-F65 uses fixed NPN Open Collector output. Applications requiring selectable Dark-ON/Light-ON operation must use the PM-F64 or PM-L64.

Q: Can the PM-F65 be used in applications with the same 0.197" (5mm) sensing distance requirement? A: No. The PM-F65 has a 0.236" (6mm) sensing distance. Use of the PM-F65 in applications requiring 0.197" (5mm) sensing distance would result in incompatible performance.

Q: What is the inventory status of these components? A: PM-F64 has 863 units in stock (obsolete status). PM-L64 has 744 units in stock (obsolete status). PM-F65 has 1363 units in stock (active product).

Q: Are all three components RoHS compliant? A: Yes. PM-F64 and PM-L64 are RoHS Compliant. PM-F65 is ROHS3 Compliant. All three meet regulatory compliance requirements.

Request Quote (Ships tomorrow)

Part Number

Quantity

Company

Contact Name

E-mail

Message