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Why Either Pole Hall Switches May Produce 3 Pulses from a Single Magnet

All magnets have both a North and South pole. A Standard Hall Switch produces a digital output that changes states only with the presence of a South Pole field. An Either Pole Hall Switch (EHS, EPPHS, MRS, or EHS1) will trigger with the presence of either a North or a South Pole. Here is a representation of the flux lines emitted from a 2 pole magnet:

A sensor with wires detects the magnetic field around a bar magnet labeled S and N. Curved arrows indicate magnetic field lines from the north to south pole. Axes show X and Y directions, with points A, B, and C marked—illustrating why either pole Hall switches may produce 3 pulses from a single magnet. by Standex Detect

If a Hall sensor is pointed at the South pole as shown, the vector of the flux line in the -X direction, into the face is what the sensor element sees. If the sensor was at location A, most of the flux will be South Pole positive. If the sensor was at location B, the vector is completely in the Y direction, so the sensor element sees no field whatsoever.

If the sensor were at location C, the vector is mostly in the + X direction. So, this would represent the sensor element seeing a North Pole field.

So, if a magnet moves by a sensor as shown here, the sensor will see a field in this pattern: 0, then North pole, 0, South pole for a longer period, 0, North pole, then back to 0.

This will produce 3 pulses instead of one.

Diagram showing a sensor detecting magnetic field lines around a bar magnet, labeled S and N, with field directions and positions marked as North, Zero, and South. Wires connect to the sensor. The illustration helps explain why either pole Hall switches may produce 3 pulses from a single magnet due to changes in polarity as the magnet moves past the sensor. by Standex Detect

To resolve this issue, either use a normal South pole Hall Switch (HS, HS1), or increase the gap between the sensor and magnet far enough that the fringe North poles are not strong enough to trigger the sensor.

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