PANASONIC SF4B-A8C / A48C — Safety Light Curtains
Panasonic SF4B-A□C: compact Type 4 safety light curtain, PL e / SIL 3, ø45 mm, 0.3–7 m, 343.4–1,943.4 mm, OFF 14 ms.
Status: In production
Brand: Panasonic
Product: Compact Type 4 safety light curtain (arm/foot protection, 45 mm)
Safety level: Type 4, Category 4, PL e, SIL 3
Minimum sensing object: ø45 mm (40 mm beam pitch)
Operating range: 0.3–7 m
Protective height: 343.4–1,943.4 mm (8–48 beams)
Response time (ON→OFF): 14 ms or less
The Panasonic SF4B-A□C is the arm/foot protection type of the SF4B-C series: it detects opaque objects of ø45 mm with a 40 mm beam pitch over an operating range of 0.3–7 m. It is Type 4 to IEC 61496-1/2, Category 4, PL e to ISO 13849-1:2015 and SIL 3 to IEC 61508. A metal inner frame inside the plastic body allows protective heights up to 1,943.4 mm across 11 models. The manufacturer states that the plastic body is 45 % lighter than the previous aluminium-enclosure model.
Two versions are available: the cable type with a 5 m cable (SF4B-□C, 8-core) and the pigtailed type with muting function and a 0.5 m connector cable (SF4B-□CA-J05, 12-core, with large multi-purpose indicator). OSSD 1 and OSSD 2 are switchable between PNP and NPN, max. 200 mA. OFF response is 14 ms or less and ON response 80–90 ms. The ELCA function reduces mutual interference without an interference prevention line. External device monitoring, interlock and emission halt are built in; fixed and floating blanking are set with the SFB-HC handy-controller.
Panasonic SF4B-A8C / A48C technical specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Applicable standards | IEC 61496-1/2 (Type 4), ISO 13849-1:2015 (Category 4, PL e), IEC 61508-1 to 3 (SIL 3) |
| Certifications | CE, UKCA, TÜV SÜD, TÜV SÜD (USA, Canada) |
| Safety ratings | |
| PFHd | per model, see variant table |
| MTTFd | 100 years or more |
| Detection | |
| Operating range | 0.3–7 m |
| Beam pitch | 40 mm |
| Minimum sensing object | ø45 mm opaque object |
| Effective aperture angle | ±2.5° or less for a range exceeding 3 m (IEC 61496-2) |
| Emitting element | infrared LED (850 nm) |
| Ambient illuminance | incandescent light: 3,500 lx or less at the receiving face |
| Electrical characteristics | |
| Supply voltage | 24 V DC ±10 %, ripple P-P 10 % or less |
| Current consumption | per model (table values for cable type and for pigtailed type with indicator off); higher when the large indicator is lit |
| Outputs and indicators | |
| Control outputs (OSSD 1, OSSD 2) | PNP or NPN open-collector transistor (switchable), max. 200 mA |
| Response time | OFF: 14 ms or less, ON: 80–90 ms |
| Auxiliary output (non-safety) | PNP or NPN open collector, max. 60 mA |
| Muting auxiliary output | NPN open collector, max. 100 mA (SF4B-□CA-J05 only) |
| Functions | ELCA, emission halt, interlock (manual/auto reset), external device monitoring; SF4B-□CA-J05: muting, override, large multi-purpose indicator |
| Environmental | |
| Degree of protection | IP65 (IEC) |
| Operating temperature | -10 to +55 °C (no condensation or icing) |
| Storage temperature | -25 to +60 °C |
| Ambient humidity | 30–85 % RH |
| Vibration resistance | 10–55 Hz, 0.75 mm amplitude, X, Y and Z for two hours each |
| Shock resistance | 300 m/s² (approx. 30 G), X, Y and Z three times each |
| Mechanical and connection | |
| Enclosure material | polycarbonate |
| Cable (cable type) | 0.15 mm² (power line 0.2 mm²) 8-core heat-resistant PVC cable, 5 m |
| Cable (pigtailed type) | 0.15 mm² (power line 0.2 mm²) 12-core heat-resistant PVC cable with connector, 0.5 m |
| Cable extension | up to 50 m total for emitter and receiver |
Panasonic SF4B-A8C / A48C models
| Model (cable type) | Pigtailed model (with muting) | Beams | Protective height | Current consumption (emitter / receiver) | PFHd | Weight, cable type | Weight, pigtailed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SF4B-A8C | SF4B-A8CA-J05 | 8 | 343.4 mm | 60 / 70 mA | 1.7×10⁻⁹ | approx. 770 g | approx. 430 g |
| SF4B-A12C | SF4B-A12CA-J05 | 12 | 503.4 mm | 60 / 70 mA | 1.9×10⁻⁹ | approx. 930 g | approx. 590 g |
| SF4B-A16C | SF4B-A16CA-J05 | 16 | 663.4 mm | 65 / 75 mA | 2.2×10⁻⁹ | approx. 1,100 g | approx. 750 g |
| SF4B-A20C | SF4B-A20CA-J05 | 20 | 823.4 mm | 65 / 75 mA | 2.4×10⁻⁹ | approx. 1,300 g | approx. 910 g |
| SF4B-A24C | SF4B-A24CA-J05 | 24 | 983.4 mm | 70 / 85 mA | 2.7×10⁻⁹ | approx. 1,400 g | approx. 1,100 g |
| SF4B-A28C | SF4B-A28CA-J05 | 28 | 1,143.4 mm | 70 / 85 mA | 2.9×10⁻⁹ | approx. 1,600 g | approx. 1,300 g |
| SF4B-A32C | SF4B-A32CA-J05 | 32 | 1,303.4 mm | 75 / 95 mA | 3.2×10⁻⁹ | approx. 1,700 g | approx. 1,400 g |
| SF4B-A36C | SF4B-A36CA-J05 | 36 | 1,463.4 mm | 75 / 95 mA | 3.4×10⁻⁹ | approx. 2,000 g | approx. 1,600 g |
| SF4B-A40C | SF4B-A40CA-J05 | 40 | 1,623.4 mm | 75 / 95 mA | 3.7×10⁻⁹ | approx. 2,000 g | approx. 1,700 g |
| SF4B-A44C | SF4B-A44CA-J05 | 44 | 1,783.4 mm | 80 / 100 mA | 3.9×10⁻⁹ | approx. 2,100 g | approx. 1,800 g |
| SF4B-A48C | SF4B-A48CA-J05 | 48 | 1,943.4 mm | 80 / 100 mA | 4.2×10⁻⁹ | approx. 2,200 g | approx. 1,900 g |
Key features
- Slim profile fits aluminium frames and maximises the machine opening
- Plastic body with metal inner frame; protective height up to 1,943.4 mm
- PNP/NPN polarity support in one model
- ELCA function reduces mutual interference without an interference prevention line
- SF4B-□CA-J05: large multi-purpose indicator and muting control for individual beams
- Beam-axis alignment indicator shows light reception in 4 blocks
SF4B-A8C / A48C ordering codes
| Part number | Description |
|---|---|
| SF4B-A8C | cable type (5 m), 8 beams, 343.4 mm |
| SF4B-A12C | cable type (5 m), 12 beams, 503.4 mm |
| SF4B-A16C | cable type (5 m), 16 beams, 663.4 mm |
| SF4B-A20C | cable type (5 m), 20 beams, 823.4 mm |
| SF4B-A24C | cable type (5 m), 24 beams, 983.4 mm |
| SF4B-A28C | cable type (5 m), 28 beams, 1,143.4 mm |
| SF4B-A32C | cable type (5 m), 32 beams, 1,303.4 mm |
| SF4B-A36C | cable type (5 m), 36 beams, 1,463.4 mm |
| SF4B-A40C | cable type (5 m), 40 beams, 1,623.4 mm |
| SF4B-A44C | cable type (5 m), 44 beams, 1,783.4 mm |
| SF4B-A48C | cable type (5 m), 48 beams, 1,943.4 mm |
| SF4B-A8CA-J05 | pigtailed type (0.5 m, with muting), 8 beams, 343.4 mm |
| SF4B-A48CA-J05 | pigtailed type (0.5 m, with muting), 48 beams, 1,943.4 mm |
SF4B-A8C / A48C accessories
Accessories listed by the manufacturer for this product (ordered separately):
| Part number | Description |
|---|---|
| MS-SF4BC-1 | standard mounting bracket (M5), 4 pcs. for emitter and receiver |
| MS-SF4BC-2 | rear utility mounting bracket with beam adjustment, 4 pcs. |
| MS-SF4BC-3 | side utility mounting bracket with beam adjustment, 4 pcs. |
| MS-SF4BC-6 | side mounting bracket (for confined spaces), 4 pcs. |
| MS-SF4BC-5 | intermediate supporting bracket for standard mounting bracket |
| SFB-CC3-MU | cable with connector on one end for pigtailed type, 3 m (2 cables) |
| SFB-CC10-MU | cable with connector on one end for pigtailed type, 10 m (2 cables) |
| SFB-CCJ3E-MU | extension cable with connectors on both ends, emitter, 3 m |
| SFB-CCJ3D-MU | extension cable with connectors on both ends, receiver, 3 m |
| SF-C13 | slim type control unit (up to Category 4) |
| SFB-HC | handy-controller, 2 adapter cables included |
| SFC-WNC1 | cable set for cable type connection (handy-controller) |
| MS-SF4BCH-16 | metal protection case (one pair for emitter and receiver); size per beam count MS-SF4BCH-□ |
| SF4B-TR45 | test rod ø45 mm |
| SF-IND-2 | large display unit for safety light curtain |
Other Panasonic Safety Light Curtains
- PANASONIC SF4D-F — Type 4 safety light curtain (finger protection, 14 mm)
- PANASONIC SF4D-H — Type 4 safety light curtain (hand protection, 25 mm)
- PANASONIC SF4D-A — Type 4 safety light curtain (arm/foot protection, 45 mm)
- PANASONIC SF4B-H12C / H96C — Compact Type 4 safety light curtain (hand protection, 25 mm)
- PANASONIC SF4C-F — Ultra-slim Type 4 safety light curtain (finger protection, 14 mm)
- PANASONIC SF4C-H — Ultra-slim Type 4 safety light curtain (hand protection, 25 mm)
- PANASONIC SF2C-H — Ultra-slim Type 2 safety light curtain (hand protection, 25 mm)
- PANASONIC BSF4-AH80 — Flameproof Type 4 safety light curtain
- PANASONIC ST4 — Type 4 single-beam safety sensor (sensor head and controller)
Models from other brands: Safety Light Curtains
Is this light curtain right for your machine?
Share the width and height of the opening to be guarded, the required resolution (finger/hand/body), the machine stopping time, the required performance level (PL) and your safety controller; let’s define the right model, safety distance and wiring together.
All product specifications are subject to change without notice. Validation of the safety function and the risk assessment remain the responsibility of the machine builder. Source: Panasonic Industry, https://industry.panasonic.com/global/en/products/fasys/sensor/safety/sf4b-c, https://industry.panasonic.com/global/en/products/fasys/sensor/safety/number/sf4b-a8c, https://industry.panasonic.com/global/en/products/fasys/sensor/safety/number/sf4b-a48c (accessed 25 September 2026).