Rotary Position Sensor Types

Rotary position sensors are available in many different types. We have a wide portfolio of different types of rotary position sensors.

What is a Rotary Position Sensor?

A rotary position sensor is a device used to measure and monitor displacement in a rotary fashion, this could be in either a clockwise or clockwise direction and can be under 360° (one rotation) or over 360°(multi-turn).

Rotary Position Sensor Types

There are many different types of rotary position sensor, one way to distinguish different types is either contacting or non-contacting. There are different types of technology included in each category. Sensors using non-contacting technology contain no touching parts giving them longer and sometimes infinite - mechanical life as there is no wear and tear.

Hall Effect – Hall Effect technology uses magnetic fields to monitor and measures rotary position. Our sister company Variohm Eurosensor manufactures a range of Hall Effect sensors, these are well proven in Motorsport applications. They are available in various types including puck and magnet designs and D shaft options. As well as the standard range there is now a miniature range of Hall Effect rotary position sensors. These sensors are programmable and have custom options available.  

Encoders – Use magnetic or optical principles to measure and monitor rotary position, speed, count and direction. Our range includes both absolute and incremental encoders which can either be shafted or hollow shaft.

Positek Inductive Technology – Positek inductive sensors are another non-contacting type of sensor, they come from our sister company. The technology they use is non-contacting and was invented by the team at Positek. Positek Inductive Position Sensors, or PIPS, work in a similar way to RVDTs or Eddy current sensors but have multiple benefits including; temperature resistance, highly robust and can be customised.

Potentiometer – A potentiometer is a type of contacting position sensor. Rotary potentiometers use a circular resistive track with wiper attachments to measure rotary displacement. They are available as single turn or multi-turn as well as in different sizes, to suit various applications.

Uses for Rotary Position Sensor

Rotary position sensors are used for different applications in a wide variety of industries and environments. Some of these applications include;

• Test and measurement applications
• OEM solutions
• Robotic applications
• Camera angles for CCTV cameras
• Speed measurement

Rotary Position Sensors from Ixthus

We have a full range of rotary position sensors which include all the above-mentioned types as well as a few others. Browse our full range on our Position Sensors page.

For more information on rotary position sensor types or to discuss your application please contact us.

For more information please contact: Ixthus Instrumentation Email: sales@ixthus.co.uk Tel:+44 (0) 1327  353437 Fax: +44 (0) 1327 353564

Article date: Mon, 26 Oct 2020 11:19:49 +0000 GMT

Title:Rotary Position Sensor Types

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