Skip to content
Product Quicklinks
Call us at 800.873.8731

Empower Your Production with Rotary Encoders

Experience the ultimate in precision and performance with Dynapar's Rotary Encoders. Engineered for accuracy and reliability, our rotary encoders provide critical feedback for a wide range of applications, ensuring optimal performance in even the most demanding environments. Whether you need incremental or absolute encoders, Dynapar offers solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce downtime, and improve overall system performance. Trust our products for unparalleled quality and innovation.

 


Get A Quote!

Types of Rotary Encoders

Rotary encoders come in two main types: incremental and absolute. Incremental encoders generate a series of digital pulses that correspond to the relative position of the shaft, while absolute encoders provide an absolute position measurement that does not rely on any previous position information.

incremental-encoder-group-photo

Incremental Rotary Encoders

An incremental rotary encoder provides excellent speed and distance feedback and are both simple and inexpensive.
absolute-encoder-group-photo

Absolute Rotary Encoders

Absolute rotary encoders are best where accuracy for both speed and position is required and fail tolerance is required.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rotary Encoders

What is a rotary encoder?

A rotary encoder, often referred to as simply a shaft encoder, is an electro-mechanical device that converts angular positioning into output signals. Rotary encoders can be broadly segmented by their feedback type as incremental or absolute.

Learn more about absolute rotary encoders here

Learn more about incremental rotary encoders here

How do rotary encoders work?

Rotary encoders translate the mechanical rotational motion of an object such as a motor shaft into an electronic signal. Optical rotary encoders measure rotation by shining a LED light through a disc with markings onto an optical sensor to detect motion. Magnetic rotary encoders use a similar principle but measure motion as a magnetized wheel turns and is detected by a magnetic sensor. 

Learn more about optical rotary encoders here

Learn more about magnetic rotary encoders here

What is the output of a rotary encoder?

Incremental rotary encoders output a stream of ubiquitous pulses over 360 degrees of rotation, hence the term pulses per revolution of PPR. Incremental rotary encoders can have one channel output (A), two channel output (AB, known as quadrature) as well as an optional index channel (Z).

Learn more about incremental rotary encoder output here

Absolute rotary encoders output a unique digital word or bit for each position over 360 degrees of rotation. This digital word must be communicated in the same language as the controlling system with options including parallel, serial, field bus and ethernet based communication protocols.

Learn more about absolute encoder protocols here

When should you use a rotary encoder?

Rotary encoders should be used in any application that requires precision motion control. While a power can be supplied to a motor to make it turn, to control exactly how fast it actually turns  requires real time feedback so that the controlling device can increase or decrease power to achieve a consistent motor speed or shaft position. Rotary encoders are therefore indispensable in precision motion control applications including servo motor feedback, robotics, factory automation and more.

Learn more about rotary encoder applications here

What is a Rotary Encoder vs Potentiometer?

A rotary encoder generates an electrical signal corresponding to the position and direction of a shaft. It is used in applications requiring high accuracy and resolution. A potentiometer is a variable resistor that changes resistance in response to shaft rotation and is used in applications requiring a variable resistance, such as audio equipment and sensors.

Do Rotary Motor Encoders Need Diodes?

Rotary encoders don't always need diodes, but they may be required in some cases. Diodes are used to protect the encoder's electronics from voltage spikes and reverse voltage. If there is a risk of voltage spikes or reverse voltage, diodes can be used to prevent damage to the encoder's electronics. However, if the encoder is powered by a stable and clean power supply, diodes may not be necessary. It is important to consult the encoder's datasheet and follow the manufacturer's recommendations to determine if diodes are needed.