Encoders use capacitance-sensing technology

Smithtown, N.Y.— Netzer Precision's line of rotary and linear encoders is based on capacitance sensing. This technology uses two opposing thin printed circuit elements, one rigidly attached to the motor frame and the other to the shaft. The circuits use dc signals from an external source to transmit electrical energy and sense capacitive changes respectively due to linear or angular rela...

By Staff July 1, 2000

Smithtown, N.Y.— Netzer Precision’s line of rotary and linear encoders is based on capacitance sensing. This technology uses two opposing thin printed circuit elements, one rigidly attached to the motor frame and the other to the shaft. The circuits use dc signals from an external source to transmit electrical energy and sense capacitive changes respectively due to linear or angular relative displacement. Accuracy of this approach is claimed to be higher than for magnetic encoders, with “better reliability and sensitivity to geometry changes than optical encoders.” The sensor’s dc output can be provided in both analog and digital form to indicate absolute position, incremental position, or a combination of both. Power voltage is 5 V at 15 mA. www.netzerprecision.com .

Netzer Precision Motion Sensors Ltd.


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