VARIABLE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS INSTITUTE

ENCODER INDUSTRY GROUP

ENCODER CATEGORY DEFINITIONS


 
 
The following statements define the various encoder categories for Market Statistics reporting:
 
Category 1: Rotary/Linear Encoders
1.a. Rotary Encoders: any device that translates rotary position or motion into an electrical signal (excluding potentiometers, resolvers, and tachometer-generators).
 
1.b. Linear Encoders: any device that translates linear position or motion into an electrical signal (excluding potentiometers, resolvers, and tachometer-generators).
 
Category 2: Incremental/Absolute Encoders
2.a. Incremental Encoders: a device that translates discrete intervals of rotary or linear motion or position change into an electrical signal.
 
2.b. Absolute Encoders: a device that translates true or real rotary or linear position into an electrical signal.
 
Category 3: Optical/Magnetic/Contacting Encoders
3.a. Optical Encoder: any device that uses light to translate rotary or linear position or motion into an electrical signal.
 
3.b. Magnetic Encoder: any device that uses magnetic sensing to translate rotary or linear position or motion into an electrical signal.
 
3.c. Contacting Encoder: any device that uses a mechanical switch mechanism to translate rotary or linear position or motion into an electrical signal.