EtherCAT cabling – wire-bound

The cable length between two EtherCAT devices must not exceed 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 the infrastructure for EtherCAT/Ethernet.

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.
- cable sets ZK1090-9191-xxxx respectively
- RJ45 connector, field assembly ZS1090-0005
- EtherCAT cable, field assembly ZB9010, ZB9020

Suitable cables for the connection of EtherCAT devices can be found on the Beckhoff website!

E-Bus supply

A bus coupler can supply the EL terminals added to it with the E-bus system voltage of 5 V; a coupler is thereby loadable up to 2 A as a rule (see details in respective device documentation).
Information on how much current each EL terminal requires from the E-bus supply is available online and in the catalogue. If the added terminals require more current than the coupler can supply, then power feed terminals (e.g. EL9410) must be inserted at appropriate places in the terminal strand.

The pre-calculated theoretical maximum E-Bus current is displayed in the TwinCAT System Manager. A shortfall is marked by a negative total amount and an exclamation mark; a power feed terminal is to be placed before such a position.

EtherCAT cabling – wire-bound 1:
System manager current calculation
Note
Malfunction possible!

The same ground potential must be used for the E-Bus supply of all EtherCAT terminals in a terminal block!