Angle Sensors
Precision Potentiometers, Absolute Encoders, Rotary Encoders - Single and Multi-Turn
Industrial grade potentiometers with much more precise electrical and mechanical tolerances, significantly increased lifespan, higher reliability and component quality than conventional low-cost potentiometers. Single-turn and Multi-Turn. Wire-wound and conductive plastic. Bushing mount (sleeve bearing), servo mount (ball bearing) and hollow shaft models. Numerous electrical and mechanical options.
Absolute encoders are rotary encoders that measure angular positions in an application, convert this angular information into electrical signals and output them as absolute values. Excellent measuring results are provided by magnetic sensor technologies based on the Hall effect with the well-known advantage of the contactless measuring principle and a virtually unlimited sensor life. Thanks to the large selection of electrical output types, connections and mechanical designs, reliable, reproducible and accurate measurement data is provided for almost any application. The angular measuring range of an absolute encoder is of central importance. Single-turn encoders cover angular ranges up to 360 degrees and multi-turn encoders cover angles beyond that. Particularly worth mentioning is the possibility of programming customer-specific outputs.
Incremental encoders are used for precision measurement of high rotational speeds or angular velocities. Incremental encoders provide output signals in the form of pulses that are counted by an external evaluation unit. Our sensors are based on non-contact measuring principles such as opto-electronic and magnetic (Hall effect) sensor technology. Large selection of connections and mechanical designs.
Types of Angle Sensors
- Precision Potentiometers
- Optical
- Magnetic
- Contactless Potentiometers
- Serial Encoders
- Incremental Encoders
- Sine Cosine Output
Need something special? Our team of industry experts can help you find exactly what you need at the best price. And if it doesn't already exist, our engineers can design one for you. We accommodate custom orders even for low quantities.
Our available angle sensors include industrial rotary potentiometers— single-turn, multi-turn, conductive plastic, wire-wound, contactless, and Hall effect. We also carry absolute and incremental rotary encoders.
Our range of absolute angle sensors consists of:
- Rotary potentiometers: (Wire-wound or conductive plastic resistive elements. Single turn and multi-turn. Bushing mount (sleeve bearing), servo mount (ball bearing), flange mount and through hole (hollow shaft). Redundant options.
- Single-turn Hall effect potentiometers: Voltage, milli-amp, or PWM (pulse width modulation) outputs. Bushing mount (sleeve bearing), servo mount (ball bearing), flange mount and kit mount (shaftless). Field calibration options. Redundant options.
- Multi-turn Hall effect potentiometers: Analog voltage or milli-amp outputs. Bushing mount (sleeve bearing), servo mount (ball bearing), flange mount and kit mount (shaftless). Field calibration options.
- Single turn Hall effect digital encoders: Digital outputs SPI (14 bit) and SSI (10 to18 bit resolution). Bushing mount (sleeve bearing), servo mount (ball bearing), flange mount and kit mount (shaftless).
- Incremental encoders: Hall effect and optoelectronic versions. Resolutions from 2 ppr up to 16000 ppr. Bushing mount (sleeve bearing), servo mount (ball bearing), flange mount and kit mount (shaftless).
Angle sensors can be used for just about any application that benefits from the use of potentiometers. These are just a few examples for their use in different industries:
Medical Industry
Encoders enable fine positioning feedback, e.g. in operating tables. Precision potentiometers are feedback elements for components like servo arms in surgical microscopes. Panel encoders are often used for menu control of anesthesia equipment, or in other emergency medical equipment.
Instrumentation
Encoders and manual adjusters for operating high-quality signal generators and RF instruments. Encoders and precision potentiometers are both used in producing fine positioning of measuring instruments and ultrasonic materials testing equipment. Miniature displacement transducers are critical in press-in-depth measurement devices.
Robotics and AGV’s
Miniaturized angle sensors are used for measuring axis position in the joints of compact robots, and Kit encoders are used as compact steering angle sensors in AGVs.
Manufacturing
Rotary industrial potentiometers and encoders are used for detecting the angular position number of revolutions in roller machines. Potentiometers are used for detecting the position of industrial garage door installations.
Marine Industry
Sine-cosine potentiometers are components used in naval radars. Precision multi-ganged potentiometers are used for rudder position control and steering sensors.
Aerospace
Multiturn potentiometers are used in multiple areas of aircraft, from seat adjustments in the passenger cabins to detecting brake pedal operation. Hall effect sensors are used to control automatic loading systems for correct aircraft load positioning.
Defense
Potentiometers are used in EMP-insensitive controls, turret positioning, and training simulation equipment.
Each sensor has its own lifespan expectancy and rating. You can find these ratings in the included literature for each sensor. On average, you can expect position sensors & potentiometers to last for multiple millions of cycles, and depending on use cases, that typically constitutes years of industrial work.
If you need a specific lifespan for a sensor, you can discuss options with a P3 America representative who can help you find the right tool for the job. From industrial rotary potentiometers to angle sensors, we offer customization that can ensure you get the performance you seek.
Ingress protection ratings vary from sensor to sensor. Some are designed for benign work environments, while others are intended for use in applications with intense heat, vibration, debris, mechanical stress, etc. Each specification sheet includes the independently tested IP rating for the device in question.
Along with IP ratings, you can also find operating temperatures, safe electrical outputs (current, voltage, and resistance), maximum RPM, and more.
With many different angle sensors and potentiometers available, you will find a range of technical design choices. Among the most notable are precision rotary potentiometers, Hall effect potentiometers, Hall effect encoders, and incremental encoders
Precision Potentiometers
Our industrial potentiometers feature higher precision and longer life than your typical low cost potentiometer. They are absolute position sensors and economical. Customization of the measuring angle, shaft diameter, and length are all possible to fit a given application.
Hall Effect Potentiometers
Hall effect absolute potentiometers operate by using magnets to cause an induction effect that creates electric potential differences for sensing and readouts. The advantage is that a lack of direct contact reduces wear and extends the life of the sensor, as well as producing a noise-free output signal. Another advantage is the built-in signal conditioner that can provide a linear voltage, milli-amp or pulse width modulated (PWM) output. These sensors are also capable of measuring a true 360º or any fraction (25º, 90º, 120º…etc.).
Hall Effect Encoders
Hall effect absolute encoders use the same Hall effect / magnet principle of hall effect industrial potentiometers, the built-in signal conditioner can also be made to produce digital SSI or SPI interface at a much lower cost than traditional SSI or SPI sensors.
Incremental Encoders
Incremental encoders provide output signals in the form of pulses, which are counted by an external evaluation unit. The sensors of the high-quality products used by P3 America are based on non-contact measuring principles, such as optoelectronic and magnetic (Hall effect) sensor technology.
Optical incremental encoders are insensitive to external interference and offer the highest precision for positioning or adjustment operations. Magnetic encoders are extremely durable and highly resistant to vibration. With a wide range of designs and output options available, there is an incremental encoder to suit almost any application.
Traditional resistive precision potentiometers provide a voltage output. Often referred to as voltage dividers where a fixed voltage (reference voltage) is connected across the potentiometer and the wiper (slider) output is 0 – 100% of this applied voltage. For example; 10V is the applied reference voltage, and 0 – 10V will be the output voltage. With a 5V reference, the output will be 0 – 5V.
Hall effect potentiometers can be supplied with voltage output (0 – 5V, 0.5 – 4.5V, 0 – 10V) milli-amp output (4 – 20mA, 0 – 20mA) or pulse width modulated (PWM) output.
Hall effect encoders are available with SSI or SPI outputs.
Incremental encoders output pulses. The resolution is rated as pulses per revolution (ppr). We offer models ranging from 25 ppr up to 16,000 ppr.
P3 America
Need something special? Our team of industry experts can help you find exactly what you need at the best price. And if it doesn’t already exist, our engineers can design one for you. We accommodate custom orders even for low quantities.
P3 America has been a leading provider of economical sensors and positioning products since 2004. Our extensive product selection allows us to address your needs promptly and effectively. With some of the best delivery times in the industry, we can customize the angle position sensors in a variety of ways to ensure proper fit and function, including steering angle position sensors.
For more information on our products and services or to speak directly with an applications engineer.
Call Now: (512) 337-7336
Or Email:
sales@p3america.com