Choosing between an absolute encoder and an incremental encoder affects more than the sensor specification. It can change startup behavior, machine uptime, replacement work, control accuracy and total installation cost.
The key question is this: does the machine need to know its exact position immediately after power loss, or is it enough to measure movement, speed and direction from a reference point?
Enco Nordic supplies SCANCON encoder solutions in Norway and can help industrial customers match encoder type, mounting format, signal output and environment to the real application.
An absolute encoder gives the control system a unique position value. The machine can read where it is, including after restart or power loss.
An incremental encoder generates pulses as the shaft rotates. The control system counts those pulses to calculate speed, direction and relative movement. In many systems, it needs a reference run, also called homing, before the exact position is known.
Choose an absolute encoder when position after restart matters. Choose an incremental encoder when the main requirement is speed, direction or relative movement feedback, and homing is acceptable.
An incremental encoder measures movement by generating pulses. Each pulse represents a small step of rotation or movement. The control system uses those pulses to calculate speed, direction and relative position.
Incremental encoders are often used for motor feedback, conveyors, rotating machinery and industrial automation systems where continuous motion feedback is needed.
Choose an incremental encoder when the machine mainly needs speed feedback, direction monitoring or relative movement control.
This is often the right choice when:
For SCANCON incremental encoders, the practical selection work is usually about resolution, shaft or hollow shaft format, output signal, housing size and environmental protection.
An absolute encoder provides a unique position value for each shaft position. Instead of only counting movement from a reference point, the control system can read the actual position directly.
Absolute encoders are useful when the machine must know its position immediately after shutdown, restart or power loss. They are also relevant where homing is slow, difficult, unsafe or costly.
Choose an absolute encoder when losing position creates operational risk, downtime or manual reset work.
This is often the better choice when:
For SCANCON absolute encoders, the key selection questions are usually interface, protocol, resolution, shaft format, housing and whether the application needs magnetic, optical, ex-proof, heavy-duty or subsea-oriented variants.
The choice is not only "absolute or incremental". After that decision, the encoder still has to fit the machine.
SCANCON's range is useful because the same core encoder decision can lead to different product formats:
This is where specification support matters. A technically "correct" encoder type can still be wrong if the shaft size, signal output, voltage, connector or housing does not match the application.
An SSI encoder is typically an absolute encoder that uses the SSI interface, short for Synchronous Serial Interface. SSI transfers digital position data from the encoder to the control system.
SSI can be relevant when the control system needs stable digital position feedback and the encoder must work with a specific PLC, drive or automation setup.
When selecting an SSI encoder, check:
Start with the machine requirement, not the product catalogue.
If the first question is yes, an absolute encoder is often the safer direction. If the application mainly needs speed, direction and relative movement feedback, an incremental encoder may be the better and more cost-effective solution.
Encoder selection becomes more difficult when the application has tight mechanical limits, harsh operating conditions or strict control system requirements.
Enco Nordic can help Norwegian industrial customers clarify the practical specification before ordering a SCANCON encoder. This includes reviewing shaft type, hollow shaft size, resolution, output signal, protocol, housing, environmental requirements and replacement details.
For replacement cases, send as much of this as possible:
Choose an incremental encoder when the main need is speed, direction or relative movement feedback, and when homing after startup is acceptable.
Choose an absolute encoder when the system must know exact position immediately, especially after power loss or restart.
Choose an SSI encoder when the application needs digital absolute position feedback through an SSI-compatible control system.
If the application also has demanding mounting, environmental or interface requirements, Enco Nordic can help identify the right SCANCON encoder configuration for use in Norway.
An absolute encoder provides a unique position value. An incremental encoder generates pulses that the control system counts to calculate movement, speed or direction.
Use an absolute encoder when the system must know position immediately after startup, restart or power loss.
Use an incremental encoder when the application mainly needs speed, direction or relative movement feedback and homing after startup is acceptable.
Yes. Absolute encoders provide position information after power loss because each position has a unique value.
An SSI encoder is usually an absolute encoder that sends digital position data through the Synchronous Serial Interface.
Incremental encoders are often used for motor feedback, especially for speed and direction control. Absolute encoders may be better when the system must know exact position after restart.
Enco Nordic supplies SCANCON encoder solutions in Norway and helps industrial customers choose suitable encoder configurations for their applications.
