In tough environments, sensors and other exposed parts are put to the test. In mobile applications, and in industrial environments they are often exposed to moisture, salt, vibration or shock. Under such harsh conditions, they must not only prove their reliability and longevity but, in this case, sensors must supply the machine or vehicle control with accurate measurements. This is especially true for applications that are likely to be exposed to extreme environmental conditions. Even in these environments you don’t have to give up precision at all. High-precision potentiometers with robust designs can operate within a linearity of +/-0.1%.

Contacting angle sensors that are able to function properly in these environments have features that include cast housing that is water-resistant, a single-stage spur gear with particularly high-precision fit and a heavy-duty bearing that provides for a high radial load. For the most extreme environments a stainless steel shaft and anodized aluminum housing provide protection and durability.

One typical application for these kind of sensors is acquiring the position value directly on the steering axle of electro-hydraulic steering systems. Potholes, road salt and other types of exposure directly above the road surface have no effect on well-designed potentiometers in this category. Heavy-duty rotary potentiometers are available for electrical measurement ranges from 0 to 120°, 200°, 350° and 360°—mechanically they are fully rotatable.

Most Novotechnik heavy duty rotary potentiometers are available in single- or dual-channel design for redundancy with two separate connections and most meet protection class IP67 or IP69K. Novotechnik rotary potentiometer models designed for extreme environments include the following Series: RSX-7900, Vert-X 3700, Vert-X 5100, Vert-X 8800, IP 6000, IPS 6000, AW 360, AWS 360 and IPX.