NOTE: This article does not apply to P Series Direct Drive (PM-DD) series motors. PM-DD series motors use single-turn absolute feedback exclusively and also use different cables than the ones discussed here.
P Series motors (PM-FAL/FBL/FCL series) ship with high-resolution BiSS-C encoders that can function as multi-turn absolute encoders if installed with a cable fitted with a battery pack. The battery is used to power the encoder's revolution counting and retentive memory circuitry when the servo drive is powered down.
If the encoder is installed with a cable that is not fitted with a battery pack, then the encoder can be used as either a single-turn absolute BiSS-C encoder or as an incremental BiSS-C encoder.
Non-battery (single-turn) cables cannot be converted to battery cables in the field because the battery cables have two additional conductors for the battery leads. These conductors are not present in the cable stock used for the non-battery cables. If a non-battery is installed in an application that requires a battery cable, the only option is to replace the existing cable with a new one.
Battery (multi-turn) cables can be converted to non-battery cables if necessary by simply disconnecting the battery terminals. This does not require any tools.
[Quick Link: P Series Encoder Cable Color Code and Specs]
14JUN2019 DCLIFFE
08JUL2019 DCLIFFE -- Added link.