EtherCAT cabling – wire-bound
The maximum permissible cable length between two EtherCAT devices is 100 m. This results from the FastEthernet technology, which, above all for reasons of signal attenuation over the length of the cable, allows a maximum link length of 5 + 90 + 5 m if cables with appropriate properties are used. See also the Design recommendations for EtherCAT/Ethernet infrastructure.
Cables and connectors
For connecting EtherCAT devices only Ethernet connections (cables + plugs) that meet the requirements of at least category 5 (CAt5) according to EN 50173 or ISO/IEC 11801 should be used. EtherCAT uses 4 wires for signal transfer.
EtherCAT uses RJ45 plug connectors, for example. The pin assignment is compatible with the Ethernet standard (ISO/IEC 8802-3).
Pin | Color of conductor | Signal | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | yellow | TD + | Transmission Data + |
2 | orange | TD - | Transmission Data - |
3 | white | RD + | Receiver Data + |
6 | blue | RD - | Receiver Data - |
Due to automatic cable detection (auto-crossing) symmetric (1:1) or cross-over cables can be used between EtherCAT devices from Beckhoff.
 | Recommended cables It is recommended to use the appropriate Beckhoff components e.g. Suitable cables for the connection of EtherCAT devices can be found on the Beckhoff website! |