Telemecanique Rod Lever & Cat's Whisker Switch: XCRA, XCRB & XCKD Selection Guide
Omnidirectional actuation for loose, hanging and fragile targets — and why you trade repeatability to get it.
Telemecanique Limit Switches We Stock
OsiSense XC and OsiSwitch bodies that accept rod lever and whisker heads, supplied across India.
Telemecanique Rod Lever & Cat's Whisker Limit Switches
A rod lever limit switch replaces the rigid lever and roller with a slender rod or spring-steel whisker. It trades precision for tolerance: the rod bends in any direction, so the target can arrive on a non-linear path, at a variable height, or with several millimetres of positional uncertainty and still trip the switch reliably.
Rod lever versus cat's whisker
A rod lever uses a rigid or semi-rigid rod, typically a 6 mm square or round section, mounted on a spring return head. XCRA11 and XCRB11 provide a metal spring return rod lever with a 6 mm square rod and 2×(1NC+NO) contacts. The rod can be cut to length on site and bent to suit the target path.
A cat's whisker head, as on XCKD2106M12, uses a flexible spring-steel wire that deflects in any direction. It requires almost no actuation force and is used where the target is light, fragile, or where its position varies too much for any rigid actuator.
Omnidirectional actuation
Both heads accept approach from 360°, which is the defining advantage. A roller lever must be aligned to the target path; a rod or whisker does not. This makes them the standard choice for detecting loose or hanging material — sacks, webs, cables, hanging product on overhead conveyors — where the target swings.
The cost is repeatability. The trip point varies with approach direction and speed, so rod levers are used for presence and overtravel detection rather than precise position measurement.
Thermoplastic and metal options
XCRB12 offers a thermoplastic spring return roller lever with 2×(1NC+NO) contacts where a lighter, non-marking actuator is preferred. Metal rod levers are specified where the actuator may be struck hard or exposed to heat.
All variants use the standard XC contact blocks, so electrical ratings are unchanged: AC-15 A300 at 240 V, 3 A for XE2p blocks, with positive opening NC contacts conforming to IEC 60947-5-1.
Typical applications
Overhead conveyor product detection, broken-web and material-run-out sensing, sack and bale presence on loading lines, jam detection in chutes and hoppers, and machine overtravel backup where a rigid actuator would be destroyed by an out-of-position target.
Rod and whisker heads
| Head | Actuator | Force | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rod lever XCRA11 / XCRB11 | 6 mm square metal rod, spring return | Low | Sacks, bales, hanging product |
| Thermoplastic rod XCRB12 | Spring return, non-marking | Low | Light or delicate product |
| Cat's whisker XCKD2106M12 | Flexible spring-steel wire | Very low | Webs, cables, fragile targets |
| Roller lever (compare) | Rigid arm with roller | Medium | Repeatable position |
All OsiSense XC models carry IEC/EN 60947-5-1, UL 508 and CSA C22.2 No 14 approval, with CCC on selected references.
Telemecanique products in stock at IndustryPapa
We are a Telemecanique Sensors stockist in India. OsiSense XC limit switch bodies and heads are supplied to order against your reference; the products below are held on the site and can be ordered directly.
Telemecanique position and safety switches
XCSLF SeriesMetal safety switch, 4 NC + 2 NO, slow break, 3 entries tapped M20, 24 VView product → 
XCSE SeriesMetal safety switch, 2 NC + 1 NO, slow break, 2 entries tapped M20, 24 VView product → 
XCSE731122Metal safety switch, 2 NC + 1 NO, slow break, 2 entries tapped Pg 13, 24 VView product →
Full Telemecanique range on site
| Reference | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| XCSLF Series | Safety interlock switch | Metal body, 4 NC + 2 NO, slow break, M20 entries |
| XCSE Series | Safety interlock switch | Metal body, 2 NC + 1 NO, slow break, M20 entries |
| XCSE731122 | Safety interlock switch | Metal body, 2 NC + 1 NO, slow break, Pg 13 entries |
| XT218A1PCM12 | Capacitive proximity sensor | Cylindrical M18, plastic, Sn 8 mm, 12-24 V DC |
| XT230A1PAL2 | Capacitive proximity sensor | Cylindrical M30, cable connection |
| XUM8APXBL2 | Photoelectric sensor | Miniature photoelectric detection |
| XUYFANEP40015 | Photoelectric sensor | Fork sensor, 40 mm slot |
| XUVE04M3KSNM8 | Label sensor | Transparent label detection, M8 connector |
| XUVU06M3KSNM8 | Label sensor | Ultrasonic label detection, M8 connector |
Frequently asked questions
What is a cat's whisker limit switch?
A cat's whisker limit switch uses a flexible spring-steel wire as its actuator. It deflects in any direction with very little force, which makes it suitable for detecting light, fragile or loosely positioned targets such as hanging product or a moving web.
Can a rod lever be cut to length?
Rod levers are commonly supplied as a 6 mm square or round rod that can be cut to length and bent on site to suit the target path. Check the specific reference, as trimming changes the actuation force and travel.
Are rod lever switches accurate?
They are tolerant rather than accurate. The trip point varies with the direction and speed of approach, so use them for presence, overtravel and jam detection. For repeatable position measurement use a plunger or fixed roller lever head.
How much force is needed to actuate a cat's whisker head?
Very little — that is the purpose of the design. It is intended for targets that could not actuate a roller lever without being damaged or deflected off their path.
Need a Telemecanique rod lever or cat's whisker switch?
Tell us what the target is, how much its position varies and whether it can take any contact force, and we will confirm whether a rod lever or a whisker head is the right answer. GST invoicing and pan-India dispatch.
☎ Call +91 99530 39482 WhatsApp EnquiryTelemecanique limit switch dealer and supplier — major cities
We supply Telemecanique OsiSense XC limit switches across India with GST invoicing and same-day dispatch on in-stock items. Local pages for the cities we ship to most:
Not listed? We deliver pan-India. Call or WhatsApp +91 99530 39482 with your reference and delivery pin code.