TTL incremental encoder signal splitting

[Ananym]

I have a TTL incremental rotary encoder mounted to a motor and connected to a controlling computer through a serial interface.

In an effort to improve the motor's low speed/torque response I'd like to investigate the possibility of splitting the encoder output and additionally using it as a closed loop feedback sensor for the motor's VFD.

However, it looks like off the shelf encoder signal splitters are quite sophisticated little signal boosters, and at £200+ apiece are beyond the reasonable budget for this noncritical upgrade.

Is it unreasonable to simply split the signal manually by connecting the encoder output to both applications directly? Would the signal loss be too great, or are there other obvious concerns that justify the use of these expensive splitters?

 

[Skogsgurra]

A TTL level signal is OK if your cables are short and if the motor isn't fed from an SCR or an VFD. In applications with short cables, like a few meters and low interference levels, a CMOS output at 5 V usually works well. A totem pole (the original TTL output structure) will need an extra pull-up. The splitters are for installations where cables are 10 - 200 m long and interference level is high.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.