Introduction
EK18xx EtherCAT coupler with digital inputs and outputs
The EK18xx EtherCAT couplers link the EtherCAT device protocol with the EtherCAT Terminals (ELxxxx/ESxxxx/EMxxxx). Depending on the type, they contain a certain number of digital inputs 24 VDC (IEC61131-2 type 3) and outputs 24 VDC; 0.5 A. The coupler in a modern High-Density (HD) housing can be wired using the toolless direct plug-in technique.
One station consists of a coupler, any number of EtherCAT Terminals and a bus end terminal, e.g. EL9011.
The coupler converts the telegrams from Ethernet 100BASE-TX to E-bus signal representation in passing with minimum latency The coupler is connected to the network via the upper Ethernet interface. The lower RJ-45 socket may be used to connect further EtherCAT devices in the same strand.
The coupler supplies the connected terminals with the necessary E-bus current for communication. The coupler can supply a maximum of 5 V/1000 mA. Power feed terminals (e.g. EL9410) must be integrated if more current is required.
In the EtherCAT network, the EK1100 coupler can be installed anywhere in the Ethernet signal transfer section (100BASE-TX). The coupler thereby processes exclusively unaddressed MAC Broadcast telegrams of the type EtherCAT Device Protocol from the EtherCAT master. Since directed addressing via MAC Unicast or IP addressing is not used, neither a switch nor a router can be used.