Rugged and customisable encoder family balances cost and performance

Elma Electronic now provides the E18 family of price-competitive, robust mechanical incremental encoders. This new range of encoders delivers a high-quality alternative to system designers struggling to locate a drop-in, rugged encoder for extreme environments with a footprint that matches their current PCB design.

Mark Thorsell, sales manager for Elma Electronic rotary switch products in the Americas, noted: "A well-designed user interface is key to any electronic system for efficient operation. What good is any panel control if it begins to work intermittently and ultimately fails? Elma's E18 encoders ensure that users will experience reliable operation out in the field, at a cost that makes them a logical substitution."

Typical applications comprise home automation, white goods, two-way radios, power, heat and water distribution controls, industrial controllers and audio or entertainment systems.

The encoders are offered in various configurations, including with or without a push button and with or without a threaded bushing. An option to have the shaft already mounted in the encoder body or supplied separately for tape and reel packing and/or industry-standard reflow soldering processes, is also available. The complete line of encoders includes the company's 'Swiss Click Indexing System' that optimises encoder life and quality turning feel.

The extra-stable, gull-wing SMT terminations or THT pins are standard, and even in smaller quantities, customer-specific customisations can be possible. Packing in tray (THT) or tape-and-reel (SMD) provides plenty of purchasing options.

The encoders offer a robust nickel-plated zinc body and rugged brass shafts as standard. Front panel sealing up to IP67 is an off-the-shelf option, as are stainless steel shafts.

Specific attributes include a body size of 14.4mm x 11.4mm x 6.5mm, rotational life up to 150,000 revolutions, detent torque of 0.5, 1.5 or 2.5Ncm with a resolution of 16, 24 or 30 detents and a push force of 3N or 6N.