Driver note and recommended TwinCAT version

No drivers have to be installed for the operation of the EtherCAT card FC1028. The card is ready for operation immediately after mounting. Note that the card is not displayed in the Device Manager or as a network interface under Windows, but the card can be used under TwinCAT (see: TwinCAT configuration).

Recommended TwinCAT version

TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4026.9 or higher is recommended for the use of the EtherCAT card FC1028.

For industrial PCs with an older TwinCAT version up to TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4022.24, specific BIOS settings are required if an industrial PC is not ordered ex factory with an EtherCAT card FC1028.

If you are retrofitting a Beckhoff Industrial PC with an FC1028 and are using a TwinCAT version older than TwinCAT 3.1 Build 4026.9, you must adjust or check the settings in the BIOS so that the EtherCAT card functions correctly. Without the appropriate BIOS settings, the card will not be ready for operation and cannot be used in TwinCAT.

Adjust BIOS settings:

1. Restart your industrial PC and press [Del] to start the BIOS setup.

2. If the [Del] key does not work, another key is always displayed on the screen to access the BIOS setup.

3. Navigate to the PCI Configuration menu

4. Disable the Memory Mapped I/O above 4 GB option.

5. Press [F4] to save the settings and exit the BIOS setup.

The industrial PC is restarted. With these settings, the EtherCAT card FC1028 is ready for operation and can be used under TwinCAT.