Product Description:

The 8AC123.60-1 is an encoder interface module produced by B&R Automation for the 8AC Powerlink Modules series. Installed on a machine network, it converts incremental and serial position data into deterministic Powerlink telegrams, allowing the controller to track shaft angle, position, or linear travel in real time within an industrial automation cell. This role lets the module connect encoder feedback directly to coordinated motion control without adding unnecessary signal conversion hardware.

The onboard counter works at up to 800 kHz, so fast square-wave pulses from high-resolution encoders are accepted without missing edges. It uses a 32-bit internal register, giving a numerical span large enough for long travel distances before rollover. Incoming transitions must be spaced at least 0.6 µs apart, a timing limit that protects the logic against pulse overlap. When used as an incremental input, the module accepts a fundamental signal of 200 kHz, and its 4× evaluation mode refines position granularity by counting every edge. The 5 V supply pin can source up to 350 mA, letting it power typical optical encoders directly from the module.

A cable run of up to 50 m between the sensor and the 15-pin female D-sub connector helps maintain signal integrity in most machine layouts. Module dissipation stays below 7.5 W, limiting heat buildup in densely packed control cabinets. For synchronous serial devices, the SSI interface clocks data at 200 kbit/s and accepts both gray and binary coding schemes with word lengths up to 31 bits, allowing compatibility with a broad encoder range. One differential channel is provided, and quadrature signals are interpreted in 4× evaluation to boost resolution without extra wiring. Stable operation is supported by dual logic rails of 5 VDC / 15 VDC, while the input stage preserves timing accuracy under the stated electrical load.