Updating controller firmware *.efw

CoE directory

The Online CoE directory is managed by the controller and stored in a dedicated EEPROM, which is generally not changed during a firmware update.

Switch to the Online tab to update the controller firmware of a slave, see Fig. Firmware Update.

Updating controller firmware *.efw 1:
Firmware Update

Proceed as follows, unless instructed otherwise by Beckhoff support. Valid for TwinCAT 2 and 3 as EtherCAT master.

  • Switch TwinCAT system to ConfigMode/FreeRun with cycle time >= 1 ms (default in ConfigMode is 4 ms). A FW-Update during real time operation is not recommended.
    Updating controller firmware *.efw 2: Updating controller firmware *.efw 3:
  • Switch EtherCAT Master to PreOP
    Updating controller firmware *.efw 4:
  • Switch slave to INIT (A)
  • Switch slave to BOOTSTRAP
  • Check the current status (B, C)
  • Download the new *efw file (wait until it ends). A pass word will not be neccessary usually.
    Updating controller firmware *.efw 5:
  • After the download switch to INIT, then PreOP
  • Switch off the slave briefly (don't pull under voltage!)
  • Check within CoE 0x100A, if the FW status was correctly overtaken.