Hi Phil, The typical cheap ones have detents in the "both switches off" position. As= you move from detent to detent you get a full quadrature cycle, the output= s sequentially connecting to common in an order depending on which directio= n you are turning. They are simple mechanical devices so they bounce and glitch just like any = cheap switch. You can hold them(and even balance them) in between detents. = Since the ones I use a cheap little things, the exact state while in-betwee= n is not really defined. But pretty much you can count on both outputs bein= g open when within a detent. I decode them so that a single increment or decrement only happens upon bot= h switches opening. Getting maximum resolution (X4) is not reasonable or de= sirable on these type of encoders. Cheerful regards, Bob ________________________________________ From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu on behalf of Phil K= eller Sent: Wednesday, April 5, 2017 2:04 PM To: PICLIST Post Subject: [EE] Incremental Encoders I am looking into a design where I would like to use a single incremental encoder for two separate controls. In order for me to accomplish this I need to understand what the outputs (A & B) are held to when there is no rotation. Are the outputs held OFF (aka open), ON or one of each based on the last rotation? What happens when the user rotates the knob very slowly? Is the pulse a fixed width or is it base on shaft rotational speed? What is the state of the outputs if the rotation is halted between detents? Is the nominal output state manufacture dependent or is there a "standard". Thanks for any guidance you can provide. -Phil- --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .