When you need to guard an edge, a pinch point, or a movable machine guard, the sensing method matters as much as the price. One product uses a physical contact ribbon that responds to pressure; the other uses a coded magnet that only closes its reed switches when the matching actuator is present. Both belong in the sensors, encoders, and machine safety space, but they are not interchangeable. The Industrial Safety Edge Sensor Strip Contact Ribbon Switch is priced at $29.96, while the SCHMERSAL SAFETY MAGNETIC SENSOR BNS33-11ZG-2128 with Magnet Actuator 101148482 is priced at $215.00. Here is how to pick between them.
Quick Verdict
For simple pressure-based edge protection, the Industrial Safety Edge Sensor Strip Contact Ribbon Switch is the economical pick. For a magnetic interlock on a movable guard or a robot arm, the SCHMERSAL SAFETY MAGNETIC SENSOR BNS33-11ZG-2128 with Magnet Actuator is the better match for that job. The price difference is large, so the real question is which sensing principle your machine needs.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Industrial Safety Edge Sensor Strip Contact Ribbon Switch | SCHMERSAL SAFETY MAGNETIC SENSOR BNS33-11ZG-2128 with Magnet Actuator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.96 | $215.00 |
| Price position | ||
| Condition | New other | New open box |
| Sensing approach | Contact ribbon switch for safety edge strips | Coded-magnet sensor with reed switches and matched actuator |
| Intended use | Edge and pinch-point guarding | Movable guards and articulating robot arms |
Where Each Product Wins
The strip wins when your hazard is a physical edge that can be pressed. It does not need a coded actuator array; the contact ribbon itself does the detecting. The Schmersal wins when you need a magnetic interlock for a movable guard or an articulating robot arm. It brings a matched actuator, a chassis mount, and a much higher price, so it is the choice when the safety circuit calls for coded-magnet verification.
Product Notes
Industrial Safety Edge Sensor Strip Contact Ribbon Switch
This contact ribbon switch gives you a low-cost way to add edge sensing to a machine without building a coded-magnet system around it. The selling point is simplicity: use the strip along the edge you need to protect, and pressure on the ribbon creates the switch signal. That makes it a sensible starting point for pinch-point guarding where a physical contact strip can reach the hazard. The limitation is equally clear: it is not a coded-magnet interlock, so it will not give you the matched-actuator verification that a guard door or robot-arm safety circuit may require. Choose it when the job is edge and pinch-point protection first and interlock logic second.
SCHMERSAL SAFETY MAGNETIC SENSOR BNS33-11ZG-2128 with Magnet Actuator 101148482
This Schmersal sensor is built around a coded-magnet actuator and a reed switch unit wired in series, so the contacts only close when the correct magnetic field is present. It is in new open box condition, which is the main trade-off to accept. For a chassis-mounted safety switch on a movable guard or an articulating robot arm, the 10 A rating at 24 VDC and the IP67 sealing give it strong switching and environmental headroom. It also terminates in an M8 connector with 4 pins, and the stated country of origin is Germany. The limitation is that it only makes sense when the application truly needs coded-magnet interlocking; if you just need a contact edge strip, this sensor is more than the situation calls for.
Final Choice by Use Case
Choose the Industrial Safety Edge Sensor Strip Contact Ribbon Switch when you need a direct, pressure-sensitive edge sensor and keeping cost down is a priority. Choose the SCHMERSAL BNS33-11ZG-2128 with Magnet Actuator when you need a coded-magnet safety interlock for a movable guard or robot arm. Let the machine hazard determine the sensing principle, and the $185.04 price spread becomes a straightforward buying decision.
