EMX IRB-4X Infrared Photoeye Sensor

The EMX IRB-4X is a long-range infrared thru-beam photoeye sensor with a detection range of 3 to 115 feet (0.9 to 35 meters), designed for automatic gates, garage doors, rolling doors, and parking barrier systems. Operating on 12-24 VDC or 24 VAC, it features a 24-degree transmission angle, adjustable sensitivity, Form C relay output, and NEMA 4X weather-resistant housing. Its separate transmitter and receiver detect interruptions in the infrared beam to signal compatible door and gate operators. The IRB-4X is not UL 325 compliant and is not intended for monitored entrapment-protection applications.

EMX IRB-4X Extended-Range Infrared Thru-Beam Photoeye Sensor

The EMX IRB-4X is a long-range infrared thru-beam photoelectric sensor designed for automatic gate, overhead door, rolling door, and parking barrier control applications. Manufactured by EMX Industries, the IRB-4X uses a separate infrared transmitter and receiver to establish an invisible detection beam across an entrance, driveway, or controlled opening. When an object interrupts the beam, the receiver changes its relay output state to provide an obstruction signal to a compatible automatic operator. The sensor supports an operating range of 3 to 115 feet (0.9 to 35 meters), making it suitable for narrow openings and wider vehicle access lanes. Its 24-degree infrared transmission angle simplifies transmitter-to-receiver alignment, while its lens-free sensing design reduces sensitivity to installation misalignment and reflective surfaces. The IRB-4X operates with control boards that accept a dry-contact input and provides obstruction detection for applications where monitored UL 325 entrapment protection is not required.

The EMX IRB-4X incorporates adjustable infrared receiver sensitivity, a 10-millisecond maximum response time, and a Form C SPDT relay output to support configurable detection performance. The receiver provides common (COM), normally open (NO), and normally closed (NC) relay connections, with contacts rated at 1 amp at 24 VDC or 120 VAC. A continuously adjustable potentiometer allows installers to fine-tune the receiver's sensitivity according to the separation distance, alignment, and surrounding conditions. The sensor also incorporates electronic sunlight filtering and automatic compensation for temperature variations to maintain performance in changing environments. Its thru-beam configuration helps reduce false detections caused by reflective surfaces, while the infrared signal is designed to tolerate partial obstruction from environmental conditions such as fog, mist, and airborne moisture. The green power indicators on the transmitter and receiver and red obstruction indicator on the receiver provide visual confirmation of operating status, alignment, and beam interruption during installation and troubleshooting.

The IRB-4X operates using 12-24 VDC or 24 VAC power, with a transmitter current draw of approximately 37 mA and receiver current draw of 23 mA in standby or 17 mA during detection. Each sensor housing measures approximately 3.7 inches high, 2.56 inches wide, and 2.24 inches deep and features durable polycarbonate construction with a NEMA 4X environmental rating for protection against outdoor exposure, dust, rain, and moisture. The sensor operates in temperatures ranging from -40 F to 170 F (-40 C to 77 C), supporting installations exposed to seasonal temperature extremes. An internal thermal fuse provides electrical protection, while terminal block connections simplify power and relay wiring. Optional EMX accessories include the IRB-HD-SET gold anodized aluminum protective hoods, IRB-SH-SET gray powder-coated steel hoods, IRB-RX-SH receiver sunshield, IRB-SP watertight strain relief connectors, and IRB-BR mounting brackets. These accessories help installers accommodate different mounting arrangements and reduce exposure to direct sunlight, precipitation, and mechanical damage.

The EMX IRB-4X is designed for non-monitored beam detection and obstruction signaling in compatible automatic door and gate operator systems. Common applications include vehicle entrance detection, parking barrier control, commercial overhead doors, industrial rolling doors, and operator reversing or opening inputs where permitted by the equipment manufacturer and applicable regulations. Its dry-contact relay interface allows integration with operators that accept conventional normally open or normally closed control signals without requiring separate amplification or relay interface equipment. The IRB-4X is not UL 325 compliant and does not provide the monitored safety functionality required by modern operators that mandate supervised entrapment-protection devices. For those applications, an appropriate UL 325-compatible monitored photoeye must be selected. The original IRB-4X has been superseded by the newer EMX IRB-4X2, which retains a 115-foot thru-beam operating range but is also intended for non-monitored applications. With its extended detection range, adjustable receiver gain, weather-resistant construction, and configurable Form C relay output, the IRB-4X provides a solution for maintaining compatible legacy automatic gate and door detection systems.