Penny

Rugged and configurable rotary position sensor

Technology Spotlights

Penny + Giles, designer and manufacturer of high precision position sensors, has launched its most configurable rotary sensor, the SRH500P. The factory programmable sensor, for use in extreme environments, gives OEMs a wide selection of parameters so the sensor can be configured to suit their individual needs.

Based on non-contact Hall effect technology, it can operate in high dither vibration conditions with no deterioration of the sensing element. It is resistant to shock and vibration which makes it ideal for many position monitoring applications on off-highway vehicles. These include steering position, suspension position and lift system position on municipal, agricultural and construction vehicles.

The sensor operates from either a 5Vdc regulated or 9-30Vdc unregulated power supply and can be supplied programmed with any one of 341 different angles from 20 degrees up to 360 degrees in one degree increments. It has a 12 bit resolution (0.025%) over the selected measuring range, and for ease of configuration, it is available with single or dual redundant analogue (0.5 to 4.5Vdc) or digital (PWM) outputs.

OEMs can specify the measurement range and output in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction. A dual output version can be set up to have independent measurement ranges for each output.

SRH500P is easy to install and has very low maximum output signal noise of 1 mV rms which means that no additional signal filtering is required on the output signal. It is mechanically interchangeable with the Penny + Giles SRS880 and SRH880 rotary sensors, enabling existing users to upgrade to higher sophistication and a greater level of control.

The sensor is available in marine grade cast aluminum housing with 88mm diameter flange and 12mm diameter shaft. When specified with cable option D it is sealed to IP69K for increased protection in harsh environments and prevents the ingress against dust, water and pressure jets. It can withstand high temperature applications, and when powered at 5Vdc, the sensor operates reliably in the temperature range of -40ºC to +140°C.

For added customisation, the sensor is available with four choices of electrical connection: gland only, gland and cable, gland cable and IP69K connector, M12 connector. Larger volume users can also be offered non-linear and switched outputs, clamp voltage levels, mixed analogue and digital outputs and different output phasing to shaft position.