Info!! Encoders Vs. Potentiometers: Which 1 Is Best For Programmable Ability Supplies?

Recently I asked the production managing director of TDK-Lambda’s novel Z+ Series of programmable ability supplies a question, “Why operate rotary encoders to adapt the output voltage as well as electrical flow confine inward preference to potentiometers?”

“The response is relatively simple,” he said; it’s all most digital circuitry compatibility as well as resolution”. The commutation payoff to using a rotary encoder over a potentiometer is that that the digital signal produced past times the encoder eliminates the demand for the analog to digital (A/D) conversion that is required when potentiometers are used. In addition, multi-turn encoders tin provide to a greater extent than accurate as well as higher resolution set-points than potentiometers.

Let’s position this into context: if a unmarried plough potentiometer were to live on used to adapt the output voltage on a 20V rated model, ane total plough would typically correspond 20V; this resolution is relatively depression as well as thence non precise plenty for a programmable ability supply. Of course, multi-turn potentiometers could live on employed but these are bulkier than as well as non every bit reliable every bit encoders are.

Digital rotary encoders are available amongst rattling high resolutions as well as tin operate inward dual modes, including a coarse as well as fine mode. In the coarse mode, the encoder operates amongst a lower resolution; for example, a 20V rated model would require most 6 turns of the encoder knob to adapt the output from zero to xx volts. In the fine mode, ane plough equates to an to a greater extent than or less twoscore millivolts, thereby providing a much higher resolution as well as to a greater extent than precise set-point.

To avoid an inadvertent alter to the voltage setting during use, a front end panel locking characteristic is needed. With an encoder, this locking business office is done via software as well as internal memory, whereas a potentiometer requires a less reliable mechanical locking mechanism.

The Z+ programmable ability render employs 2 encoders every bit set-point controls for the output voltage as well as current. The encoder’s digital output feeds the unit’s memory, which retains the terminal set-points prior to the air-conditioning ability beingness turned off as well as on, either intentionally or due to an unplanned ability outage, as well as keeps the output disabled until the user enables it (aka “safe-start” mode). In the “auto-restart” mode, the Z+ ability render remembers its terminal output set-points as well as when the ability is turned dorsum on, it resumes its normal operation, which is handy for unattended applications.

To encounter to a greater extent than details including videos most the encoder driven Z+ programmable ability supplies, delight operate this link: http://www.us.tdk-lambda.com/lp/products/zplus-series.htm