Frequently Asked Questions

Technology and Operating Principle

Q1. What physical principle do LENZ encoders use?

Inductive coupling between a planar excitation/sensing coil structure on the stator PCB and a patterned conductive rotor. The stator drives a sinusoidal excitation signal; the rotor modulates the induced currents as it rotates. The resulting amplitude-modulated signals are demodulated and digitized on-board to produce an absolute angle code.

Key difference from magnetic encoders: there is no permanent magnet. The sensor responds to eddy currents in the rotor pattern, making it inherently immune to external static magnetic fields from nearby motors or magnets.

Q2. How is absolute position encoded internally?

The encoder resolves the angle using sinusoidal channels that are converted to a digital code — 17 to 24 bits per revolution depending on the model. This absolute code covers 0–360° continuously with no index pulse and no reference homing required. The digital value is serialized over BiSS C together with status and CRC bits.

On power-up, the absolute position is available within the first BiSS frame — no rotation needed.

Q3. How does calibration handle non-idealities?

Each encoder stores a per-unit correction table in non-volatile memory that compensates for systematic errors from eccentric mounting, rotor pattern tolerances, and PCB manufacturing variations. The correction is applied in the digital signal chain before the angle value is output.

The dominant contribution to overall encoder accuracy comes from mounting — specifically the concentricity of the rotor and stator relative to the datum axis of rotation, the axial runout of the end faces measured parallel to that axis, and the resulting air gap distance between rotor and stator faces. To compensate for these deviations and improve accuracy after installation, three calibration methods are available:

• Amplitude auto-calibration. Performed during one full rotation of the encoder rotor. Initiated by a command sent to the BiSS register — no external tools required beyond your drive or controller that can write to BiSS registers. This is the simplest method and handles basic signal amplitude normalization in the field.
• Calibration during continuous rotation. Performed during one full rotation of the encoder. This method uses the LENZ FlashTool programmer and its specialized software to capture and correct systematic errors across the full 360°. It produces a more comprehensive correction than amplitude auto-calibration alone.
• Reference encoder calibration. Performed using a master encoder of higher accuracy mounted on the same axis of rotation. The procedure is executed with the LENZ FlashTool programmer and its dedicated software to acquire reference angle data and generate a correction map for the measured encoder.

All three methods store their correction data in the encoder's non-volatile memory. The corrections are applied in the digital signal chain before the angle value is output over BiSS C. Note that calibration does not replace proper mechanical mounting — the encoder must still be installed within specified tolerances for air gap and concentricity to achieve its rated accuracy.

Product Selection and Specifications

Q4. IRS vs ACTIS — which series do I need?

IRS — compact, cost-optimized, 17–18 bit resolution. Best for servo feedback, robotics joints, and industrial drives where you need reliable absolute position in a small package at a competitive price.

ACTIS — newer generation, higher accuracy (down to ±12 arcsec), resolution configurable from 17 to 24 bits via BiSS register (typically used at 20–22 bit), larger diameter options, all parameters settable via BiSS registers. Best for precision positioning, metrology, telescope/antenna drives, semiconductor equipment, and any axis where arcsecond-level accuracy matters.

Decision tree:

• Need ±50 arcsec or better? → ACTIS
• Need compact (under 40 mm OD) and cost matters? → IRS
• Need both high accuracy and small size? → ACTIS HAB039 (±40 arcsec in 39 mm)
• Best absolute accuracy regardless of size? → ACTIS SAB150 (±12 arcsec)

Q5. Where can I find detailed specifications for each model?

Full specifications — dimensions, tolerances, electrical parameters, and performance curves — are provided in the product datasheets for ACTIS and IRS. Each datasheet includes mechanical drawings with mounting hole patterns, connector pinouts, and recommended installation tolerances specific to that model.

3D CAD models (STEP format) are available on GitHub for integration into your assembly models.

If you need a parameter that is not listed in the datasheet — or need to verify a value for your specific operating conditions — contact engineering directly.

Q6. What info should I provide for a custom recommendation?

Send us:

1. Shaft diameter and through-hole requirement (if any)
2. Available space — axial height and radial envelope (a section drawing is ideal)
3. Required accuracy — in arcseconds or degrees
4. Required resolution — in bits or smallest step size
5. Max speed — RPM
6. Operating temperature range
7. Environment — clean room, oil mist, outdoor, vacuum, radiation, etc.
8. Interface — BiSS C is standard; do you need SSI, SPI, or analog output?
9. Volume — prototype (1–5 pcs), small series (50–500), or mass production (1000+)

Email to: see lenzencoders.com contact page.

Q7. How should I select encoder size relative to shaft diameter?

The rotor inner diameter must clear the shaft plus any collar, nut, or shoulder. The stator outer diameter must fit within the available radial space and provide mounting holes. General rule: a larger rotor diameter improves accuracy and tolerance to misalignment.

If your shaft is 10 mm, an IRS with 34 mm OD works. If your shaft is 40 mm, look at SAB039 or larger ACTIS. For 80+ mm shafts, SAB150 or custom sizing.

Datasheets provide exact dimension drawings with mounting hole patterns for each model.

Resolution and Accuracy

Q8. What does resolution mean in practice?

Resolution is the smallest angular increment the encoder can distinguish and report — it defines the granularity of the digital output. A higher resolution means finer position discrimination, which is important for smooth velocity estimation, low-speed commutation quality, and interpolation in multi-axis motion systems.

Accuracy is the maximum deviation between the reported angle and the true mechanical angle over a full 360° rotation. An encoder can have very high resolution (small steps) while still carrying a systematic angular error that is many times larger than one step.

In practice: resolution determines the smallest motion your control loop can see, while accuracy determines how closely the reported position corresponds to reality. For servo commutation, resolution is typically the more critical parameter — even moderate accuracy is sufficient if the resolution is fine enough for stable current control. For absolute positioning tasks (metrology, alignment, pointing), accuracy becomes the limiting factor regardless of how many bits the encoder reports.

Q9. How is accuracy specified and what limits it?

Accuracy is the maximum deviation between the reported angle and the true mechanical angle over a full 360° rotation. Specified in arcseconds (1° = 3,600 arcsec).

Factors that limit real-world accuracy:

• Mechanical mounting (eccentricity, air gap deviation, tilt)
• Analog noise floor and ADC quantization
• Temperature drift of PCB and rotor dimensions
• Quality of the internal correction table

The datasheet accuracy spec includes internal calibration. Mounting outside specified tolerances will degrade it.

Q10. Repeatability vs accuracy — what is the difference?

Repeatability: how tightly readings cluster when the shaft returns to the same position multiple times. Measures scatter/noise.

Accuracy: how close any single reading is to the true angle. Measures systematic + random error combined.

RMS noise: the root-mean-square variation of the position output when the shaft is stationary. This quantifies the encoder's intrinsic noise floor — the short-term jitter you see on the digital output independent of any mechanical error. RMS noise directly affects velocity estimation quality: a noisy position signal produces noisy differentiated velocity, which can excite resonances in high-bandwidth servo loops. It is typically specified in LSBs or arcseconds and is a key parameter when selecting an encoder for low-speed or high-stiffness applications.

An encoder can be highly repeatable but have a consistent offset (poor accuracy). A well-calibrated LENZ encoder achieves both — tight clustering (±1 LSB repeatability) and small bias (±12–50 arcsec accuracy). Larger diameter rotors yield better numbers across all three metrics.

Q11. Why do different sizes have different accuracies?

Physics. A given mechanical error (e.g., 10 µm eccentricity) produces a smaller angular error on a 150 mm diameter rotor than on a 39 mm rotor. Larger diameter = more signal area = better signal-to-noise ratio = tighter achievable accuracy in arcseconds.

Q12. Can I exceed datasheet accuracy with external software correction?

The datasheet accuracy spec already includes internal correction tables. Host-side averaging or filtering can smooth noise (improve local precision) but cannot reduce systematic bias on its own. However, the three calibration methods described in Q3 — amplitude auto-calibration, calibration during continuous rotation, and eccentricity calibration — can significantly reduce residual systematic error after installation. If your application demands accuracy beyond what these methods achieve, you would need to calibrate against an external reference standard and apply a secondary host-side correction — which also can be made with the help of our engineering team.

Q13. Is maximum resolution always necessary?

Not necessarily. Higher resolution provides finer position granularity, which can improve control loop smoothness — particularly at low speeds where velocity is derived from position differences. Many users request maximum resolution for this reason. However, there is a trade-off: as resolution increases, the internal digital filters are adjusted to pass finer detail, which also increases the RMS noise on the output. At some point, the additional bits carry more noise than useful position information.

Match resolution to your application:

• 18–19 bit — servo drives, robotics joints, general industrial (most applications)
• 20–21 bit — precision positioning, CNC interpolation, smooth low-speed control
• 22+ bit — metrology, semiconductor lithography stages, telescope tracking — where external filtering or averaging can manage the higher noise floor

Every ACTIS series encoder allows you to set the resolution from 17 to 24 bits via a BiSS register, so you can experiment with different settings in your actual system and find the optimal balance between granularity and noise for your control loop. The BiSS frame length is fixed at 24 bits regardless of the resolution setting, so changing resolution does not affect frame rate or interface timing.

Q14. Can I specify custom resolution or accuracy?

For the ACTIS series, resolution is user-configurable from 17 to 24 bits via a BiSS register — no custom order required. You can adjust it at any time to match your application needs and find the optimal resolution-to-noise balance (see Q13).

For accuracy improvements beyond the standard datasheet specification, the calibration methods described in Q3 are available. For OEM volumes, additional options include tailored signal processing, extended calibration procedures, or custom form factors. Contact engineering with target specs, volume, and timeline.

Mechanical Installation

Q15. Air gap and eccentricity tolerances

Of all the factors that affect encoder performance, mechanical mounting tolerances have by far the greatest impact. The air gap between rotor and stator, the concentricity of the two relative to the rotation axis, and the parallelism of their faces directly govern the quality of the inductive coupling — and therefore the accuracy of every angle reading the encoder produces.

Even a well-calibrated encoder will underperform if installed outside its specified tolerances. Small deviations in the air gap distance shift the signal amplitude; radial eccentricity introduces a once-per-revolution error that grows with offset; tilted faces create an asymmetric gap that varies with rotation angle. These effects compound, and once they exceed the correction range of the internal signal chain, no amount of software compensation can recover the lost accuracy.

Treat the mounting tolerances in your model's datasheet as hard requirements, not guidelines. Achieving the rated accuracy of any LENZ encoder starts with precise mechanical alignment during installation. For the specific air gap range, eccentricity limit, and permissible tilt for your encoder, refer to the ACTIS or IRS product datasheet.

Q16. Sensitivity to shaft runout and tilt

Inductive encoders tolerate more shaft runout and tilt than optical encoders because sensing is distributed over a large circular area. However, excessive wobble dynamically varies the air gap, degrading accuracy and repeatability. The datasheet specifies maximum permissible axial and radial runout at rated speed.

Q17. Can the rotor be integrated into a custom part?

Yes. The rotor is a flat conductive pattern — it can be implemented as a dedicated ring or integrated into a custom machined hub. Standard ACTIS rotor materials are aluminium alloy 6061 anodized or PCB, with a standard thickness of 2.0 mm. The geometry and material must follow the guidelines for the encoder family. This minimizes added axial length and inertia.

Electrical Interface and BiSS C

Q18. Pinout, voltage levels, and line drivers

Standard BiSS C interface with RS-422 differential signaling:

Termination: 120 Ω at the master end of each differential pair. Cable: shielded twisted-pair is essential — unshielded or non-twisted cabling will pick up electromagnetic interference that corrupts the high-speed differential signals, leading to CRC errors, position glitches, or complete communication loss. Shield connected to GND at one end (typically the master).

For the exact connector type and pin assignment per model, refer to the specific product datasheet.

Q19. BiSS C frame structure and CRC

LENZ encoders use the BiSS C unidirectional serial interface. The frame structure — including start bits, position data, error and warning flags, and CRC — is fully defined in the official BiSS specification. For the complete protocol description, refer to the BiSS C protocol documentation.

The host must validate CRC on every frame and check error/warning bits. A failed CRC means the frame should be discarded — do not use the position value.

Q20. Maximum clock frequency and cable length

These are guidelines. Always validate in the final system with actual cable routing and connectors. Use BiSS line measurements (eye diagram) and CRC error rate to confirm signal integrity.

Q21. Diagnostic and status bits

Each BiSS C frame carries two diagnostic bits — Warning (nW) and Error (nE), both active low. In LENZ encoders these bits reflect the internal position validation logic, which works as follows:

At power-up the encoder establishes an absolute position from its coarse (multi-track) reading. Once running, it tracks position using the fine (incremental) channel. On every subsequent coarse reading the encoder compares it against the incremental count:

• Mismatch detected → Warning. If a coarse reading disagrees with the incremental count, the warning bit is set. The encoder continues to output the most probable position value. If the new coarse value keeps appearing more often than the original, the encoder adopts it as the current position.
• Ambiguous position → Error. If mismatching and matching readings are roughly equal — meaning the encoder cannot determine which value is correct — the error bit is set and the position should be treated as unreliable. Once one value becomes clearly dominant again, the error is cleared (after encoder reboot though).

The encoder always outputs the most probable position. In practice this means:

• If a glitch occurs during rotation, a warning is raised. The position remains valid, but after a power cycle the absolute position may initially be incorrect. It will self-correct as the shaft rotates and the encoder re-establishes consistency.
• If no glitch has occurred since the last power-up, the warning bit stays clear and will only be set when the first mismatch is detected.

Best practice: log warning events and trigger a maintenance flag. Treat error as position invalid — do not use the reported angle for closed-loop control while the error bit is active.

Q22. Maximum speed and how it is specified

The datasheet max speed is the highest continuous RPM at which the encoder reliably tracks the angle without missing transitions, given proper mounting and temperature. Typical values range from 10,000 to 30,000 RPM depending on model and diameter.

Your effective speed limit may be lower if your control loop requires reading position N times per revolution. The achievable frame rate is limited by the encoder's internal sampling and processing cycle — not by the serial link speed alone. Check the specific model datasheet for the actual maximum output data rate (see also Q24). Example: if your encoder supports 8 kHz output rate, at 30,000 RPM (500 rev/sec) that is only 16 reads per revolution — fine for commutation, possibly too few for high-bandwidth current loops.

Q23. Latency from shaft motion to reported position

Internal processing latency (sampling + demodulation + digital computation) is typically in the range of 5–15 µs. The main additional delay is the BiSS C frame time, which depends on clock frequency and number of bits.

Example: 21-bit frame at 5 MHz ≈ 6 µs frame time. Total latency ≈ 10–20 µs. For most servo loops running at 1–16 kHz, this is negligible.

Q24. How does resolution affect update rate?

These values are the theoretical maximum serial throughput — the upper bound set by the link speed and frame length. In practice, the achievable frame rate is significantly lower because it is limited by the encoder's internal sampling and processing cycle. The actual maximum output data rate is specified in the product datasheet for each model.

Environmental Robustness

Q25. Temperature effects on accuracy

Encoders are calibrated and specified over the full −40 to +85 °C range. Temperature affects PCB dimensions, rotor conductivity, and component characteristics, but internal compensation keeps residual error within the specified accuracy across the full range. Some models apply temperature-dependent correction internally.

For best accuracy in changing thermal environments, allow the encoder to thermally stabilize with the mechanical assembly before performing final zeroing.

Q26. EMI immunity

Inductive sensing + differential RS-422 signaling + no permanent magnets = strong inherent EMI immunity. Tested per industrial EMC standards including ESD (±8–15 kV) and radiated immunity.

For best results in noisy environments: use shielded twisted-pair cable, connect shield to GND at the master end, and add common-mode chokes on the supply lines if the drive's switching noise is severe.

Q27. External magnets and motors — any interference?

No. Unlike magnetic encoders that rely on a permanent magnet and Hall sensors, inductive encoders sense eddy currents in a conductive pattern. Static or slowly varying external magnetic fields (from permanent magnets, motor stators, solenoids) do not affect the measurement. This is one of the primary advantages of the inductive principle.

Only concern: keep ferromagnetic or conductive parts outside the specified clearance zone around the rotor/stator assembly to avoid disturbing the induced field pattern. Rotor mounting screws must be austenitic stainless steel (e.g., A2/A4) — carbon steel is ferromagnetic and will distort the field, while non-ferrous metals (aluminium, brass, copper) will generate parasitic eddy currents near the sensing zone.

Q28. Is additional shielding required?

In most industrial installations, no. The encoder PCB is designed for industrial EMC, and differential signaling handles common-mode noise. Adding a grounded metallic housing can help in extreme environments (e.g., directly adjacent to a VFD or high-power RF source) but is not required for normal operation.

Configuration and Firmware

Q29. What parameters can be configured?

All configuration is done via BiSS register access using the LENZ FlashTool — a Python library available on PyPI (pip install lenz-flashtool) with both a CLI and a programmable API. Available parameters include:

• Zero position offset — set any angle as the 0° reference (zeroing command)
• Rotation direction — clockwise or counterclockwise increasing (set_dir_cw / set_dir_ccw)
• Resolution — number of position bits, up to 24-bit on ACTIS
• Amplitude calibration — single-rotation auto-calibration (ampcalibrate, requires one full rotor turn)

Changes are persisted to non-volatile memory with the saveflash command and survive power cycles. The FlashTool also provides direct register read/write access for advanced use cases. For the full API reference, tutorials, and CLI command list, see the FlashTool documentation.

The FlashTool Python API supports scripted production workflows — batch zeroing, batch configuration, register verification, and per-unit logging (serial number + configuration + test results) for traceability. A typical production script runs in under 2 seconds per encoder.

Q30. How is firmware updated?

Firmware updates are performed over BiSS C using the LENZ FlashTool:

1. Install the library from PyPI: pip install lenz-flashtool
2. Connect LENZ FlashTool to the encoder and PC
3. Run the FlashTool with the firmware hex file (CLI: python -m lenz_flashtool.biss.cli sendhexfile, or via the Python API using biss_send_hex())
4. The tool enters bootloader mode, erases flash, and writes the new image with CRC verification
5. The encoder reboots and resumes normal operation

The process takes seconds. Failed writes are detected by CRC and the encoder remains in bootloader mode for retry — it does not brick. The same procedure can be scripted for batch firmware deployment in production.

Q31. Open-source BiSS C Master library for STM32

LENZ provides an open-source BiSS C master implementation available on GitHub. The library consists of four files with a clean separation between protocol logic and hardware abstraction:

• biss_c_master.c / .h — core BiSS C protocol implementation (framing, CRC, register access)
• biss_c_master_hal.c / .h — hardware abstraction layer for STM32 peripherals

This is the same code that runs inside the LENZ FlashTool programmer hardware. It serves as a proven reference for anyone implementing a BiSS C master on STM32 — whether for a custom drive, test fixture, or embedded controller. The HAL layer can be adapted to other microcontroller families by replacing the platform-specific functions.

Application Integration

Q32. Aligning electrical zero with mechanical reference

Procedure:

1. Position shaft at your mechanical reference (hard stop, fiducial, index mark)
2. Read current encoder value via FlashTool or drive interface
3. Write zero-offset register so this position becomes 0° (or any desired angle)
4. Verify by rotating and returning to reference — should read 0°

This can be automated in production fixtures. The offset is stored in non-volatile memory.

Q33. Synchronizing encoder with a servo drive

Most servo drives with BiSS C support trigger the read at a specific point in the PWM cycle. The BiSS clock establishes a deterministic relationship between the requested sample and the returned angle. For FPGA-based controllers, example BiSS C IP cores and timing diagrams are available — contact engineering.

Key: ensure the BiSS frame completes before the control loop needs the position value. At 5 MHz, a 21-bit frame takes ~6 µs — well within a typical 62.5 µs (16 kHz) control cycle.

Q34. Multi-axis synchronized systems

Each encoder provides deterministic absolute position via BiSS C. The central controller synchronizes multiple axes by issuing time-aligned BiSS reads (parallel clock lines) or by interpolating between sequential reads in the motion planner. Network-level sync (EtherCAT, PROFINET, etc.) is handled at the drive layer; the encoder simply provides consistent local feedback.

Q35. Multiturn — how it works and which models support it

Where supported, multiturn tracking combines the single-turn inductive angle with a revolution counter that persists through power loss (energy-harvesting or battery-backed, depending on model). The single-turn bits and multiturn bits are concatenated into a wider BiSS position word.

Impact: the BiSS frame is longer (additional bits for turn count), which slightly reduces maximum frame rate. Single-turn resolution is unchanged.

Availability: multiturn is an option on select IRS and ACTIS models. Check the specific part number or ask engineering for the current list of multiturn-capable variants.

Reliability, Lifetime, and Compliance

Q36. What determines the encoder's lifetime?

No bearings, no optical disc, no LED — the primary wear-out mechanisms of conventional encoders do not exist. Lifetime is determined by:

• Electronic component aging (capacitor drift, solder joint fatigue from thermal cycling)
• Connector wear (mating cycles)
• Environmental stress (sustained high temperature, vibration, chemical exposure)

Under typical industrial conditions (−40 to +85 °C), expected lifetime exceeds 1,000,000 hours — typically outlasting the mechanical components in the same assembly.

Q37. Factory testing before shipment

Every encoder is tested for:

• BiSS C communication — frame integrity, CRC, timing
• Absolute angle function — full 360° sweep against reference
• Electrical parameters — supply current, signal levels
• Calibration verification — residual error within spec

Each unit is tracked by serial number with firmware version, calibration data, and test results recorded for traceability.

Q38. Functional safety (SIL/PL) certification

Standard LENZ encoders are not certified to IEC 61508 (SIL) or ISO 13849 (PL). They are general-purpose feedback devices. For safety-related functions, implement redundancy at the system level — dual encoders, plausibility checks, or a certified safety controller that monitors for inconsistencies.

Q39. Regulatory standards

• RoHS: Compliant (Directive 2011/65/EU)
• REACH: Compliant
• ESD: ±8–15 kV contact/air per IEC 61000-4-2
• EMC: Tested per applicable IEC 61000 standards for industrial equipment

Declarations of conformity available on request for specific projects.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Q40. Preventive maintenance

No internal wear parts — no scheduled maintenance. Periodic checks (e.g., at machine service intervals):

• Inspect connectors — clean, secure, no corrosion
• Check cable strain relief — no damage or chafing
• Verify air gap has not shifted (feeler gauge or dial indicator)
• Read position — confirm correct values and no persistent warnings

Q41. Typical failure modes and symptoms

Q42. Field diagnostics step-by-step

1. Check power: measure supply voltage at the encoder connector. Check current draw — abnormally high = possible short; zero = open circuit.
2. Check BiSS frame: use FlashTool or a logic analyzer on MA/SLO lines. No response = wiring or power issue.
3. Read status bits: check mounting.
4. Inspect mechanics: measure air gap with feeler gauge. Check for rotor contact marks, debris, or corrosion.
5. Swap test: if available, replace encoder with a known-good unit to isolate encoder vs. system issue.

Q43. Repair vs replacement

The PCB module is not field-repairable. If the stator or electronics are damaged, replace the module. If only the rotor (ring or hub) is damaged, the stator can often be reused with a new rotor — coordinate with LENZ engineering.

For suspected device faults, return the encoder via the RMA process for diagnosis. Contact support with the serial number and a description of the symptoms.

Handling and Special Environments

Q44. Storage and ESD handling

• Handle with ESD precautions — grounded wrist strap, ESD-safe surface
• Store in original anti-static packaging
• Temperature: −40 to +85 °C, humidity: 20–80% RH non-condensing
• Avoid drops, bending of connectors

Q45. Oil, coolant, and chemical exposure

IP rating depends entirely on the customer's mechanical housing — the encoder PCB itself is not sealed. If the assembly is exposed to fluids:

• Use conformal coating (polyurethane coating available as standard option)
• Avoid strong solvents that attack epoxy or connector plating
• If accidental exposure occurs: dry thoroughly, inspect connector and coating, test function

Q46. Aerospace and vacuum applications

LENZ encoders are proven in vacuum and space environments:

• Outgassing: standard FR-4 PCB substrates require qualification per ASTM E595 (TML < 1.0%, CVCM < 0.10%) for space use. We offer polyurethane conformal coating as a standard option that reduces outgassing and provides protection in vacuum environments. For missions with strict outgassing budgets, contact engineering to discuss low-outgassing substrate and coating options validated for your requirements
• Thermal: space environments naturally maintain cold temperatures favorable for the electronics; the bearingless, non-contact design ensures reliable operation without the thermal dissipation concerns of mechanical systems, eliminating convective cooling requirements entirely
• Mass: the compact, ultralight PCB-based form factor — ideal for weight-constrained aerospace systems
• Pressure: the inductive sensing principle itself operates independently of atmospheric pressure
• Heritage: LENZ has positive operational experience with space applications, successfully demonstrating reliable performance in both orbital and deep-space environments.

For flight qualification: contact us with your mission profile to discuss coating options, connector sealing, and verification testing.

Migration and Support

Q47. Migrating from optical or magnetic encoders

Checklist:

1. Mechanical fit: verify flange, shaft clearance, and axial space. LENZ encoders are typically thinner than optical encoders.
2. Interface: if your drive expects SSI or analog sin/cos, you need a BiSS C interface. Many modern drives support BiSS C natively. Otherwise, a converter module is needed.
3. Direction: configure CW/CCW to match your old encoder's convention.
4. Resolution: match or exceed the old encoder's counts per revolution.
5. Zero alignment: set the zero offset to match your machine's reference position.
6. Test: verify position tracking, speed, and control loop stability in a bench setup before production deployment.

Common gains from migration: elimination of bearing wear, immunity to contamination (oil, dust), immunity to magnetic interference, and no LED degradation over time.

Q48. Documentation, tools, and support