Diptronics Rotary, Encoder and Coded Switch
Quick Overview
Diptronics Reliability and ruggedness are among Diptronics' core strengths for rotary switches. All rotary switches come standard with panel and shaft sealing up to IP68, providing robust protection against dust and water. The shaft material is made of stainless brass or stainless steel, making it suitable for harsh environments. To ensure years of reliable functionality and longevity, all electronic contacts are plated and coated with hard gold. Besides a wide range of encoders, coding switches, selector switches, audio solutions, and multifunctional rotary switches, Diptronics also offers a variety of knobs and caps to meet your needs.
Details
Diptronics Rotary, Encoder and Coded Switch
Diptronics coded rotary switches are commonly used in electronic appliances, automation applications, and air conditioning equipment. These switches are available in versions suitable for PCB or hand soldering, featuring bushing mounting and multiple poles.
DIP (Dual In-Line Package) and coded rotary switches generate coded outputs for electronic devices. DIP switches allow parameter settings within 2-12 positions, while coded rotary switches are actuated by rotating a central shaft, causing the movement of attached contacts.
A rotary switch is operated by rotating an actuator, making it ideal for selecting different electrical circuits when two or more positions are required. Rotary switches can stop at multiple positions, allowing control of various circuits with a single switch. They are available with shorting (make-before-break) or non-shorting (break-before-make) contacts.
The advantages of rotary switches include their ability to control multiple circuits without the need for numerous switches, thanks to their multiple contact points. They are widely used in applications such as CB radios, industrial controls, electronic instruments, and aircraft. Though less common than in the past, rotary switches can be designed with a detent mechanism to ensure they "click" into place, holding each active position securely without stalling in an intermediate position.
What are Rotary Encoder Switches?
Rotary encoder switches are devices that convert the rotational movement of a shaft into an analog or digital signal. This conversion is achieved by translating an input voltage into a corresponding output voltage (analog) or a digital signal based on the shaft's position. Rotary encoders provide crucial information about position, speed, count, or direction. A key benefit of using a rotary encoder switch is its ability to rotate indefinitely in the same direction. Due to their robustness and precise digital control, they are widely used in applications such as robotics, CNC machines, and printers. Rotary encoder switches measure rotary movement and displacement and can be categorized as either absolute or incremental, which we will explain below.
Absolute Encoder Switches
An absolute encoder switch retains the position information regardless of whether it is powered. Even if the encoder is moved without power, it still accurately tracks its position. Absolute encoders can be single-turn or multi-turn. Single-turn encoders provide position data within one full rotation of the shaft, while multi-turn encoders track the total number of rotations, making them suitable for applications requiring complex or extended positioning measurements. Single-turn encoders are ideal for applications with short travel distances.
Advantages of absolute encoders include:
- True position retention even during power loss.
- No need for continuous position reading.
- High resolution, with up to 16-bit single-turn and 44-bit multi-turn capabilities.
Incremental Encoder Switches
Incremental encoder switches convert the shaft's angular position into digital or pulse signals using an optical disk. Each revolution generates a specific number of pulses, with each pulse representing an incremental change according to the defined resolution. Unlike absolute encoders, incremental encoders measure changes in position but not the absolute position.
When an incremental encoder is powered on, it starts counting pulses from zero, meaning the position is not stored, and a 'reset or reference' position must be established before counting begins. This is the primary distinction between absolute and incremental encoders.
Advantages of incremental encoder switches include:
- Cost-effectiveness and simplicity compared to absolute encoders.
- Ability to determine speed and direction.
In summary, rotary encoder switches, whether absolute or incremental, are essential for precise control and measurement in various mechanical and electronic systems.
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