# IEC capacitive proximity sensor: normally open 3 wire

Canonical URL: https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/iec-capacitive-proximity-sensor-normally-open-3-wire
Publisher: Elora Grid
Updated: 2026-10-28
Lookup label: CAP
Drawing use: Schematic
Reference families: IEC, Manufacturer

## Symbol convention

Convention: IEC
Form: Normally Open 3 Wire
Autodesk IEC-60617 Symbol Preview: Capacitive Switches, HPX11C3 / VPX11C3. This identifies the publisher's library context; exact IEC graphics and database identities are not asserted.

Capacitive proximity sensor form: Normally Open 3 Wire.

## In plain English

### What does IEC capacitive proximity sensor: normally open 3 wire mean?

A capacitive proximity sensor detects a change of capacitance caused by a target entering its sensing field. This entry identifies the normally open 3 wire form in the publisher's IEC-context family.

### A simple example

A vessel wall or nearby material can change the measured capacitance and indicate a level or presence condition. The normally-open designation starts with a non-conducting output or open contact in the documented reference condition; operation changes that state. The three-wire form distinguishes supply, return and switching output. Confirm sourcing or sinking operation from the actual sensor circuit before connecting it to an input.

### What the drawings help you do

Material, mounting, contamination and adjustment affect operation; a capacitive mark does not guarantee detection through every container or medium.

### This particular reference

Capacitive proximity sensor form: Normally Open 3 Wire. This entry adds the normally open 3 wire detail to the broader capacitive proximity sensor family. Material, mounting, contamination and adjustment affect operation; a capacitive mark does not guarantee detection through every container or medium.

### Terms

- Normally open / normally closed: The contact state in the normal condition defined for the drawing.
- Terminal: An identified point where a conductor connects.
- Signal: Electrical information passed between devices, rather than necessarily the main power supply.

Concept diagram: Identify the device and form → Read the connections and state → Check the equipment reference
A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.

- [AutoCAD Electrical: Capacitive proximity switches](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-F2CC4639-9203-4C6A-8A9F-2A32717D2BE3.htm)


## What it represents

A capacitive proximity sensor detects a change of capacitance caused by a target entering its sensing field. This entry identifies the normally open 3 wire form in the publisher's IEC-context family.
A vessel wall or nearby material can change the measured capacitance and indicate a level or presence condition. The normally-open designation starts with a non-conducting output or open contact in the documented reference condition; operation changes that state. The three-wire form distinguishes supply, return and switching output. Confirm sourcing or sinking operation from the actual sensor circuit before connecting it to an input.
Material, mounting, contamination and adjustment affect operation; a capacitive mark does not guarantee detection through every container or medium.

## How to read it

- The normally-open designation starts with a non-conducting output or open contact in the documented reference condition; operation changes that state.
- The three-wire form distinguishes supply, return and switching output. Confirm sourcing or sinking operation from the actual sensor circuit before connecting it to an input.
- Material, mounting, contamination and adjustment affect operation; a capacitive mark does not guarantee detection through every container or medium.

## Information to show or reference

- Identify the target, sensing mode and expected normal condition.
- Label supply, output and connector pins from the actual device diagram.
- Reference output circuit type, operating range and controller input.

## Important distinction

This entry adds the normally open 3 wire detail to the broader capacitive proximity sensor family. Material, mounting, contamination and adjustment affect operation; a capacitive mark does not guarantee detection through every container or medium.

## Facts

- Drawing form: Normally Open 3 Wire
- Public vendor block names: HPX11C3 / VPX11C3. Autodesk identifiers, not standards database IDs.
- Drawing purpose: capacitive proximity sensor
- Graphic scope: Independently authored educational illustration; not certified standard geometry, a terminal pinout or a product footprint.

## Public references

- [AutoCAD Electrical: Capacitive proximity switches](https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-F2CC4639-9203-4C6A-8A9F-2A32717D2BE3.htm) — Autodesk. Public Capacitive Switches table explicitly lists HPX11C3 / VPX11C3 with this operating or connection form. Vendor graphics are linked, not copied.

## Graphic scope

Independent original educational concept illustration by Elora Grid. Not a certified standards graphic or manufacturer footprint. Unitless; not to scale. Original artwork licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Publisher material is linked only.