In combination with cable pulls, rotary encoders are able to detect linear motion sequences. Inside a cable pull, a steel cable winds around a spring-loaded drum. As the steel cable retracts and extends, the connected drive shaft rotates. This converts the linear motion into a rotation that can be evaluated by the rotary encoder.

The cable-pull rotary encoders from Pepperl+Fuchs consist of a cable pull in combination with a suitable incremental or absolute rotary encoder. They are used, for example, on forklifts or scissor lifts, where they provide real-time data on the exact height of the fork or lift. For harbor cranes or wind turbines, Pepperl+Fuchs offers heavy-duty variants that provide reliable position data even in extreme weather conditions.