EtherCAT Box I/O

Beckhoff Automation introduced its EP1518 EtherCAT Box, a I/O device that integrates numerous functions such as 32 bit fast-pulse counters, digital inputs with sensor diagnostics and adjustable filter characteristics. The EP1518 is IP 67-rated and has eight 24VDC inputs as well as an EtherCAT input port and output port for linking to the process level. The device also counts fast pulses with a counting frequency of up to 1 kHz. Integrated data pre-processing enables the reliable counting of pulses, independent of the control cycle time.

All eight inputs of the EP1518 are equipped with an up/down counter and gate input that can be deactivated. Two of the eight inputs are available for standard 32 bit up/down counters, however all eight signal inputs on the EP1518 IP 67 box are transmitted as “normal” digital signals over the EtherCAT network. In addition, the EtherCAT Box is equipped with short-circuit detection via diagnostics of the sensor supply. The software-based adaptation of the inputs to the most diverse sensors/switches can be adjusted by filter characteristics between 10 μs and 100 ms.
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