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Servo & Motion

Encoder Types: Incremental and Absolute

The difference between incremental and absolute encoders used for servo feedback, and selection criteria.

4 min readUpdated: 2026-07-05

An incremental encoder counts motion as pulses; position is lost on power-off and homing is required. An absolute encoder reports the exact position at all times; position is retained even after power-off.

Incremental
Cheap, needs homing
Absolute (single-turn)
Position within one turn
Absolute (multi-turn)
Also remembers turn count
Comparison
In multi-turn absolute encoders a battery preserves the turn count; when it dies, position loss and an encoder alarm occur.

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