Product Description

Beckoff Automation is among the most well-known companies that produce electronic components for automation systems.  They provide top notch products for automation systems, such as Motion Control, I/Os and iPCs. Beckhoff I/O modular stations must be assembled with a coupler, a set of EtherCAT terminals according to the application, and a bus end terminal. The EK1100-0008 is a coupler that is meant to connect Beckhoff EtherCAT terminals (e.g: ELxxxx or ESxxxx) to external EtherCAT networks.

The difference between this module and the EK1100 is that the left side of this product has a set of 2 M8 sockets instead of 2 RJ45 ports, that allow direct cable compatibility with the ports of EtherCAT-Boxes. These sockets are meant to connect the whole station to the EtherCAT network. The upper M8 socket is used to connect the device to an existing EtherCAT network, while the lower one to additional systems in the same network. Two bus coupler allow a connection using at least an EtherCAT CAT-5 cable with a maximum distance allowed of 100 meters. The coupler dimensions are about 44 (W) x 100 (H) x 68 (D) millimeters and it weights around 105 grams.

The purpose of the coupler is also to transmit power from the supply to the terminals of the station. The maximum current that the device can supply is 2000 mA if the device is in the temperature range going from -25 to 55 Celsius degrees; while it is able to supply only 1000 mA if the temperature of the environment is above 55 Celsius degrees (keep into consideration that the maximum temperature allowed for the device to operate correctly is 60 Celsius degrees).