In an earlier post, we explained the difference between incremental and absolute encoders.

In this installment of encoder videobytes, we take a closer look at absolute encoders, which have a unique positional value based on the position of the shaft.  There are two different types of absolute encoders: singleturn or multiturn.

This brief video explains the difference between absolute singleturn encoders and absolute multiturn encoders.

An absolute singleturn encoder keeps track of the position within one turn of the encoder itself.

In contrast, an absolute multiturn encoder keeps track of both the single turn position, as well as the number of turns the encoder has taken.  SICK has developed multiturn encoders that can keep track of up to 131,072 turns, in addition to the singleturn resolution.