instrumentation

They can be the same. For practical reasons in the shop we refer to a limit switch as one being switched by physical contact. A proximity switch needs no actual contact, being made or unmade, by perhaps a magnetic sensor. But their function can be the same.

hi brick. In our shops limit swiches are to be actuated to shut off a device for safety; typically they are mechanically actuated by contact, not prox. Proximity switches are used to sense if product or tool or something is in the place it is supposed to be and then allow next operation to take place.

Oversimplification i'm sure, but perhaps an appropriate view of the question.

milo

Proximity switch- it is used to detect the object that is within its sensing distance. sensing distance may be x or 0. its a non contact type switch.

limit switch- mechanicaly actuated somtimes non contact type, common application to know a position is reached or not. proximity can also be used as limit switch.

udhaya kumar