Encoder Academy
Technical guides, insights and resources to understand the world of rotary encoders. From choosing the right type to configuring communication protocols.
Practical Guides
Practical advice for choosing, sizing and installing industrial encoders.
How to Choose: Incremental vs Absolute Encoder
Complete guide to choosing between incremental and absolute encoders: advantages, limitations, and practical use cases for every application.
How to Size an Encoder for Your Application
The 6 key parameters for sizing an encoder: resolution, speed, load, IP rating, temperature, and output type.
Encoder Interfaces for PLC: A Complete Guide
Complete overview of encoder interfaces: Push-Pull, Line Driver, SSI, EtherCAT and PROFINET. When and how to use each one.
IP Protection Ratings for Encoders: A Complete Guide
What IP54, IP65, and IP67 ratings mean for encoders and how to choose the right protection level for your environment.
Encoders for Harsh Environments: Heavy-Duty Solutions
Everything about encoders for extreme environments: vibrations, temperatures, dust, and corrosion. Heavy-duty features and installation tips.
How to Read the Italsensor Order Code
Complete guide to reading the Italsensor order code: 10 segments from type to customization, with a real configurator example.
Technology
Working principles, materials and architectures of rotary encoders.
How an Optical Encoder Works
How optical encoders work: LED, disk, photodetectors, and electronics. Advantages and limitations of optical technology.
How a Magnetic Encoder Works
How magnetic encoders work: magnet, Hall sensors, interpolation. Ideal for harsh environments with dust and extreme temperatures.
The Encoder Disk: Heart of Precision
Glass, Mylar, or metal: materials, incremental and absolute patterns, and encoder disk manufacturing process.
Resolution vs Accuracy: Fundamental Differences
Resolution and accuracy are different concepts: the first indicates how many positions the encoder distinguishes, the second how precise they are.
Solid Shaft vs Hollow Shaft: Which to Choose
Differences between solid and hollow shaft: mounting, speed, vibrations. How to choose based on the mechanical application.
Single-Turn vs Multi-Turn Encoder: Technical Guide
Differences between single-turn and multi-turn encoders: turn counting, Wiegand technology, use cases from elevators to robots.
Protocols & Interfaces
Communication interfaces and fieldbuses for industrial encoders.
Line Driver RS-422: The Noise-Immune Interface
How Line Driver RS-422 output works: differential signals, wiring, termination, and when to choose it over Push-Pull.
Push-Pull HTL: The Universal Output
Push-Pull HTL output: operation, universal NPN/PNP compatibility, simplified wiring, and distance limitations.
SSI: Synchronous Serial Interface for Absolute Encoders
SSI explained: synchronous master-slave protocol for absolute encoders, Gray code, RS-422 wiring, and PLC compatibility.
EtherCAT: The Real-Time Fieldbus
EtherCAT for encoders: processing on the fly, cycle times < 100 ΞΌs, Distributed Clocks, and Industry 4.0 integration.
PROFINET IO: Siemens Industrial Ethernet
PROFINET IO for encoders: native Siemens integration, TIA Portal configuration, advanced diagnostics, and comparison with EtherCAT.
Profibus DP: The Classic Fieldbus
Profibus DP for encoders: RS-485, standard encoder profile, correct wiring, and diagnostics. Still relevant for existing plants.
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