Some key characteristics of inductive proximity sensors include; Maintenance free and wear-resistant, Non-contact detection, Solid state output for bounce-free switching and long lifetime, Excellent resistance to shock and vibration, Insensitive to moderate dust and dirt collection, Waterproof, and finally, Widely resistant to chemicals. There are several factors to consider when selecting the best inductive proximity sensor for the application. These considerations can be broken down into five categories as shown on the following slides.