Rotational life is up to 150,000 revolutions, according to distributor Foremost, which is stocking the part.
There is a choice of 16, 24 or 30 detents per revolution and also a choice of detent torque (0.5, 1.5 or 2.5Ncm), as well as options on gold-plated sliding contacts and various shaft types in either brass or stainless steel (Elma offers 31 in total), plus threaded or non-threaded bushings.
And, just in case you feel that is not enough choice, the switches are available with or without a centre push button and, if there is one, its operating push force can be 3N or 6N.
They “may be further customised with bespoke shaft dimensions and shapes, user specified detent torque and IP60 or IP68 front panel sealing for rugged applications,” said Foremost.
The life claimed above is for the low-torque type (0.5Ncm). The others are 100,000 revs (1.5Ncm) and 60,000 revs (2.5ncm) – all at room temp.
Electrical resolution is 8, 12 or 15 pulse/revolution/channel, corresponding to 16, 24 or 30 detents. If my rusty encoder knowledge is correct, this makes these 1transistion/detent types – but check.
Just a note here, phasing on the 8pulse/rev type is B-before-A, while the other two are A-before-B.
“The new E18 encoder form ELMA really does tick every box for the vast majority of domestic, industrial, audio and automotive applications,” claimed Foremost sales director Alan Vincent. “Extended lifetime and ability to assemble using re-flow soldering make the E18 the go-to decoder.”
According to the data sheets (linked from here) the parts are RoHS compliant, but the same document states that brass shafts contain Pb.
Foremost Electronics is based in Essex. It foresees applications in: white goods, household appliances, home automation, two-way radios, power and heat distribution controls, water distribution controls, industrial controllers, audio and entertainment systems and automotive infomatics for the Elma encoders.