This rotary encoder is the best of the best, its a high-quality 15,20,24-pulse encoder, with detents and a nice feel. It is panel mountable for placement in a box, or you can plug it into a breadboard (just cut/bend the two mechanical side tabs.). This encoder also has a push-button built into it so you can press onto the knob to close a separate switch. One side has a 3 pin connector (ground and two coding pins) and the other side has two pins for a normally-open switch.
Rotary encoders are useful as rotation sensors or selectors and look similar to potentiometers. However they are not like potentiometers at all, so it's important to realize the difference! These rotary encoders rotate all the way around continuously and are divided up into 24,30 'segments'. Each segment has a clicky feeling to it, and each movement clockwise or counter-clockwise causes the two switches to open and close. There is no way to know what the current 'position' is - instead you would use a microcontroller to count how many 'clicks' left or right it has been turned. If you need to detect rotational 'position' a potentiometer would be a better choice.
Features:
These are continuous rotary encoder switch
With built-in push button switch (push to operate)
Can be used for data entry as with auto in-car CD players, for volume & on/off control or data selection via LED or LCD display
Perfect for use with PIC or ATMEL microcontrollers
Specifications:
Rotary Shaft Length: Approx. 12mm
Shaft Full Length: Approx. 20mm
Shaft Diameter: Approx. 6mm
Size (L x W): Approx. 15 x 11mm
Output: 2-bit gray code
Closed Circuit Resistance: 3 ohms maximums
Max. Rating: 10 mA @ 5 VDC
Operating Temperature Range: -30 to 70 degrees celsius
Storage Temperature Range: -40 to 85 degrees celsius
Rotational Life: 30000 cycles minimum
Switch Life: 20000 cycles minimum
Contact: Anlosi Yang
Phone: +86 186 8861 3545
Tel: +86 186 8861 3545
Email: anlosi@lgswitch.com
Add: Dazhou Industrial Zone, Shijie Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong, 523291 CN