Market: Data Logging of water level
Product: AG665P

A company doing a project for the USGS came to us with a need for an multi-turn absolute encoder. They were working on a project that required a series of data logging stations to monitor the water level of a dam system. The stations would be outfitted with a multi-turn absolute encoder to provide the depth measurement and data logging equipment to record the depth measurements periodically.

One of the reasons the customer chose the AG665P was because it offered a parallel interface with a multi-turn absolute data configuration. A second factor, in favor of the AG665P, was that he could ignore some of the output bits since he didn't need all 4096 turns of the encoder. This reduced the number of I/O points needed. The customer chose to use a standard DC input card to interface the encoder to the control. Through this input card he was able to supply a 24 volt power signal to the AG665P eliminating the need for a separate supply.

The third reason the customer selected the AG665P was its overall ruggedness. Most of the systems they had built in the past used multi-turn pots. These devices weren't reliable over the long haul and tended to fail rather prematurely. The AG665P provides an IP66 sealed enclosure on a rugged aluminum sleeve and bearing assembly.

The way the encoder was coupled to the load was somewhat unique. The encoder shaft was coupled to a pulley that turned as a float moved up and down in the dam. This was accomplished by running a wire from the float up over the pulley to a weight that dangled over the other side of the pulley. The weight kept tension on the wire as it ran over the pulley so no slippage would occur.