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An inductive sensor's rated range applies to a standard mild steel target. Other metals reduce it substantially — stainless to about 70%, aluminium to 45%, copper to 40% — and a smaller target reduces it further. The assured operating distance is 81% of the effective range, and mounting at 70% gives working margin.
Sensing range
Sn effective = Sn rated x material factor x size factor; assured = 0.81 x effective
Inductive sensors work by inducing eddy currents. Materials with lower permeability absorb less energy from the field, so the target must be closer to be detected.
It is the standard assured operating distance: 90% of range for manufacturing tolerance and 90% again for temperature, giving 0.9 x 0.9 = 0.81.