Overview of EtherCAT couplers

An EtherCAT coupler is required in order to connect EtherCAT Terminals with E-bus-communication (series ELxxxx, ESxxxx, EMxxxx) to an EtherCAT network. This coupler relays the communication from the higher-level EtherCAT network to the terminals, or functions as a master itself and generates telegrams. Beckhoff offers different components for different application scenarios.

The selection of the correct coupler depends on the following criteria:

is a local small controller needed?
is the coupler to be connected via copper cable or optical fiber cable?
is the coupler to be addressed via IP or is it located in the unswitched network?
is the coupler to be controlled via EAP (EtherCAT Automation Protocol) or EtherCAT Device Protocol?
required protection class: IP20 or higher?
is the coupler to be plugged in at different places at the network using the HotConnect technique?

A coupler connects the added terminals to the right; it can be connected to the higher level network to the left. Couplers that support the EtherCAT Device Protocol ‘to the left’ must be connected there to an EtherCAT master.

Overview of EtherCAT couplers 1: — EtherCAT coupler communication diagram

The following features overview can be used for selection (Beckhoff EtherCAT couplers):

Characteristic	EK1100 EK1100-0008	EK1101 EK1101-0008 EK1101-0010 EK1101-0080	EK1300	EK1501 EK1501-0010	EK1541
Protection class	IP20	IP20	IP20	IP20	IP20
Higher level network technology	100 MBit FastEthernet (100BASE-TX)	100 MBit FastEthernet (100BASE-TX)	100 MBit FastEthernet (100BASE-TX)	100 MBit FastEthernet (100BASE-FX)	100 MBit FastEthernet (100BASE-FX) POF
Higher level network - max. connection length	100 m	100 m EK1101-0010: 300 m between two Extended Distance Couplers	100 m	EK1501: 2 km EK1501-0010: 20 km	50 m
Higher level network connection technology	RJ45 EK1100-0008: M8	RJ45 EK1101-0008: M8	2 x M8 socket, shielded, screw type, EtherCAT-P-code	SC duplex EK1501: Multi-mode optical fiber cable EK1501-0010: Single-mode optical fiber cable	Versatile Link POF duplex connector Polymeric Optical Fiber
higher-level network protocol	EtherCAT Device Protocol (formerly Direct Mode)	EtherCAT Device Protocol (formerly Direct Mode)	EtherCAT Device Protocol (to 100BASE-TX EtherCAT P networks)	EtherCAT Device Protocol (formerly Direct Mode)	EtherCAT Device Protocol (formerly Direct Mode)
integrated PLC	-	-	-	-	-
supports HotConnect with address setting on the device	-	yes EK1101-0080: Fast-Hot-Connect	-	yes	yes
Note	The EK1100 is the "standard" coupler for use directly on the EtherCAT master.	EK1101-0010: Distance between stations: max. 300 m (copper, Cat. 5, 4-wire).	Coupling of EtherCAT Terminals (ELxxxx) to 100BASE-TX EtherCAT P networks

Characteristic	EK18xx	EK9000	EKx000	EPxxxx	CX8000
Protection class	IP20	IP20	IP20	IP67	IP20
Higher level network technology	100 MBit FastEthernet (100BASE-TX)	100 MBit FastEthernet (100BASE-TX)	diverse see doc.	100 MBit FastEthernet (100BASE-TX)	100 MBit FastEthernet (100BASE-TX)
Higher level network - max. connection length	100 m	100 m	see doc.	100 m	100 m
Higher level network connection technology	RJ45	RJ45	see doc.	M8	RJ45
higher-level network protocol	EtherCAT Device Protocol (formerly Direct Mode)	EAP	see doc.	EtherCAT Device Protocol (formerly Direct Mode)	EtherCAT Device Protocol (formerly Direct Mode)
integrated PLC	-	-	-	-	yes
supports HotConnect with address setting on the device	-	-	-	-	-
Note	The EK18xx devices integrate a coupler for application directly at the EtherCAT master and digital inputs and outputs without additional wiring.	The EK9000 can be controlled in a switched EtherCAT network with directed IP addressing.	If the EK9000 is provided with another fieldbus connection, this gives rise to the appropriate EKx000 coupler.	Technologically, each EP Box represents a self-contained EtherCAT coupler with internally added I/O functions.	The CX8000 appears to the higher level EtherCAT network as an EtherCAT slave while at the same time managing its attached I/Os as a master.