PRECAUTIONS AND

NOISE PREVENTION

1-800-903-9093
www.koyoencoder.com
Noise Prevention

Photocoupler
A rotary encoder can directly drive a photocoupler.

Do not share the same power source or cable duct with another
device.
Using a capacitor or surge absorber eliminates sparks from the relays
and switches.
Do not use the encoder near an arc welder or an electric furnace. Use
an electromagnetic shield if necessary.
Always use a shielded cable for extension.
For all Koyo encoders, connect the shielded cable to the 0 Volt
terminal or ground it.
False pulse may be generated when the power is turned on or off. Wait
for 0.1 second to 0.5 second after turning on or off the power before
proceeding.
If electric potential exists between the encoder and the control board,
connect their frames using a 3mm2 to 5.5mm2 cable. This helps
minimize noise and error.
Grounding: The effects of noise differ depending on the relationship
between the encoder and the peripheral devices. If noise occurs, make
the connections as shown in the following table.

DC stabilized power source

When connecting a rotary encoder, if the internal power supply of the
counter or other connected device (sensor power supply, etc.) is
insufficient, use a commercially-available stabilized power source.

PRECAUTIONS
Rotary encoders are constructed using precision parts, so the functions
may be damaged if the encoder is shaken or mishandled. Take care
when handling.

Megger Test
Each encoder can withstand a voltage of 500 V between the case and
electronic circuit. However, do not perform a Megger test as it may be
destructive to the internal circuit.
*On all Koyo encoders, the shielded cable is not connected to the case.

Installation
Do not apply too much force to the shaft. Never try to twist the shaft
Use a specified coupling for connecting the encoder shaft and the
shaft of the machine being controlled by the encoder. Do not force the
encoder shaft into the coupling. The encoder shaft and the machine
shaft should be centered within the coupling carefully to prevent
overload.
The service life of the bearing is largely affected by the amount of load
on the shaft. Try to reduce load as much as possible.
Never demount the rotary encoder. The encoder will lose its resistance
to oil and water. Try to avoid oil and water even if your model is dust
and splash proofed. Wipe any oil and water deposits off the encoder.

Extending Cable
To extend cable, use a coaxial cable or a cable with low resistance and a
capacity to avoid signal interface. Lower the pulse frequency of the
encoder. Noise from long distance transfers amy interfere with phases or
distort signal. When extending cable, use a +24 V power source as
follows:

Vibration
Vibration may cause the encoder to generate false signals. Select an
appropriate place for installation. The higher the pulse frequency, the
smaller the interval between slits. Therefore, encoders with higher pulse
frequencies are more sensitive to vibration and may misinterpret the
vibration as the rotation of the shaft and the rotary slit plate.

Wiring and Connection

Follow the specified procedure to ensure correct wiring. For the totempole output, short circuit protection is provided between the output
terminal and the 0 Volt power source, but not between the output
terminal and the positive source terminal.

38

Frequently Asked Questions

About Encoders
Q: What is a differential line
driver output?
A: A differential output refers to the
fact that each channel has a complement channel, i.e. Channel A
and Channel A not. A differential
line driver is used to help increase
immunity to noise. It also allows you
to sink or source more current then
a push-pull output. A differential line
driver will work both with a sinking
circuit or a sourcing circuit. It can
also help in increasing the distance
that a signal can be transmitted.
Q: What is an open collector
output?
A: An open collector output is a
NPN transistor. A NPN transistor
allows the sinking of current to
common. It can be thought of as a
switch that allows the circuit to be
connected to the machine being
controlled after the load. This
means that a power supply source
is required for the output to work. A
supply through a load must be connected to the output, otherwise the
NPN transistor is simply creating a
path to common, i.e., dry contact.
Therefore, if you measured the voltage at the output of an open collector that is not connected to some
power supply, you would not see a
change in voltage. The voltage
should be measured across the
output load to determine if the open
collector is working properly.
Q: What is a push-pull output?
A: A push-pull output is chosen
when an open collector output will
not work with the controller that is
connected to the encoder. A pushpull output allows you to use either
a sinking circuit or a sourcing circuit.
This type of an output allows you to
sink more current than a totem pole
output and follow the input voltage.

Q: What is a quadrature output?

A: With a quadrature output, signals A and B are separated by
90 degrees of phase shift with A
leading B or with B leading A,
depending on the direction of rotation, i.e.: clockwise or counterclockwise. It does not mean that the output will be four times the amount of
the pulses per revolution of the
encoder. With the signals 90
degrees out of phase, the controller
is able to determine the direction
that the shaft is spinning. Both signal A and signal B must be used
to have a quadrature output and to
get 2X or 4X Logic.
Q: Why do I need a pull-up
resistor?
A: A pull-up resistor is used to pull
the Logic high voltage level up to
the level of the operating voltage.
This is useful either when the output of the open collector is not
reaching the voltage level needed
to indicate a Logic high signal or
when noise is present on the signal
line. When a Logic high signal is
present, the voltage level will be
approximately that of the operating
voltage for an open circuit. The difference is due to the voltage drop
across the pull-up resistor. This is
not necessarily true if the load is
referenced to ground.
Q: What is the difference between
quadrature and 4X logic?
A: Quadrature output refers to the
phasing of the output signals. When
the output signals, signal A and
signal B, are 90 degrees out of
phase with each other, the output is
said to be in quadrature.
4X Logic denotes how the controller will interpret the signal that is
received. This is done by translating
each edge of the pulse detected for

39

1-800-903-9093
www.koyoencoder.com

signal A and signal B and channeling it into its own pulse. This
translation takes place in the controller and not at the encoder.
If you order a quadrature encoder
with 120 pulses per revolution
(PPR), the output of signal A and
of signal B will be out of phase by
90 degrees. For every one revolution the encoder makes, 4X Logic
WILL NOT give you 480 pulses
(120 pulses per revolution times 4).
The multiplication of the pulses only
occurs at the controller.
Q: Is shielded cable needed?
A: YES. The use of shielded cable
is highly recommended; especially
for areas with large amounts of
electrical noise. If you are having
any noise problems, or suspect that
you might, then use a shielded
cable.
Q: How do I set my calibration
constant?
A: The calibration constant can be
set by simply selecting the correct
pulses per revolution (PPR). When
choosing your calibration constant
remember the closer to 1, the better. The value of the calibration constant is your best resolution per
pulse of the encoder.
Q: How do I choose the pulses
per revolution (PPR)?
A: When choosing the PPR value
of the encoder, please make sure
that you do not choose a PPR that
will cause you to exceed the maximum frequency of your controller or
encoder. Choosing a PPR value
close to the value you wish to display eliminates or reduces the need
for a calibration constant. For example, if you wish to display 12.00
inches, choose 1200 PPR.
However, do not forget the multipli-

Frequently Asked Questions

About Encoders
cation of the controller's input. Most
controllers have either 2X Logic or
4X Logic. 2X Logic would change
your PPR to 600 while displaying
12.00 inches. With 4X Logic, your
PPR would change to 300 while displaying 12.00 inches. These choices
give you one pulse for every one
unit of measurement desired.
Do not choose a PPR that will result
in a higher frequency than the
encoder can handle at maximum
speed. The reverse is also true: do
not choose too low of a PPR or your
controller will be unable to recognize the signal. Try to choose a PPR
so that your calibration constant is
between 0.50 an 1.00.
Q: How far away from my system
can I place my encoder?
A: The maximum distance that an
encoder can be from the system is
not a set length. Many factors influence the maximum length of cable
that can be used to connect the
encoder to the system. Long
lengths of cable become more susceptible to noise because of the
capacity of the cable to act as an
antenna and from a loss of power
through the cable. Objects such as
AC motors, arc welders, AC power
lines, and transformers may cause
electrical noise if near the cable.
Use twisted pair cable when using a
signal and its compliment and use
shielded cable when running any
type of signal. Use the highest voltage available for the output voltage.
For example, if the encoder will output between 5V and 24V, then use
24V. Using an open collector output
or differential line driver output with
a differential receiver allows the
maximum amount of current to be
sinked or sourced. If you are using
the encoder as an input to more
than one controller, use a signal

amplifier. This is also a good way to

help increase the distance a signal
can travel. Typical maximum distances for a differential line driver
are around 100 feet or more when
using a differential input. The distance for an open collector is
around 35 feet.
Q: Why use an absolute encoder?
A: An absolute encoder has each
position of the revolution uniquely
numbered. This means that instead
of an output of pulses, you get an
output that is specific value in binary format. This is very useful when
exact positioning is a must. Since
each location in an absolute
encoder's revolution is a unique
binary value, if the power should be
lost, the actual value of the position
will be known when power is
restored. The exact position will be
known even if the controller loses
power and the process is moved.
Q: What is Gray code?
A: Gray code is a form of Binary
code. The difference between gray
code and binary code is the method
of incrementing to the next number.
In Gray code, only one digit may
change states for every increment.
This means the count sequence
would look something like this: 0, 1,
3, 2, 6 and 7. This is different than
standard Binary code, where the
sequence would be 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5.
Gray code is used to prevent errors in
the transitions from one state to the
next state. For example, an error
could occur when both values in the
sequence are true. This can occur
due to the timing sequence and the
capacity of the cable to act as an
antenna. The transition from 0011 to
0100 could cause 0111 to be gener-

40

1-800-903-9093
www.koyoencoder.com

ated. With Gray code this is not possible.

Q: How do I convert Gray code to
Binary code?
A: The conversion from Gray code
to Binary code is simple:
Step 1: Write the number down and
copy the left most digit under itself.
Step 2: Add the highlighted Binary
digit to the Gray code immediately
up and to the right of it. So, 1 plus 1
is 0 dropping the carried digit. Write
the result next to the Binary digit
just added. Drop all of the carried
digits.
Step 3: Repeat Step 2 until the
number is completed.
Q: What is sinking or sourcing
input?
A: Sinking inputs and sourcing
inputs refer to the flow of current in
a transistor. Both inputs require a
voltage and a load to operate. A
sinking input requires the voltage
and the load to be present before
connecting it to the circuit.
Therefore, the input is sinking the
current to ground before the circuit.
A sourcing input must be before the
load in the circuit rather than after,
Therefore, the input is sourcing
the current to the circuit. Voltage
and a load must be present in
either case to detect a voltage
change at the input. The same is
true for sinking or sourcing outputs.