Product Description:

The ECPA81-2 current output module is produced by B & R Automation for the ECP Multi Control Modules series. Intended for mounting beside a central CPU, it translates digital commands into controlled current so that drives, proportional valves, and other field devices can be energized directly from the PLC rack. By integrating eight sourcing channels on a single card, the unit streamlines wiring in process, packaging, and assembly equipment where multiple analog loops must be managed in parallel.

Each channel sources a programmable output of 0 to 20 mA, allowing both low-range monitoring and full-scale actuator control. A maximum loop resistance of 560 Ω ensures the rated current remains attainable without external boosters. The conversion accuracy includes a gain error of ±0.5 % at a 50 Ω reference load and overall linearity limited to 0.2 % across the full range, so setpoints remain close to the commanded value. Internally, a digital-to-analog converter with 11-bit resolution provides 2048 discrete steps, which keeps quantization noise well below typical process tolerances.

Long-term accuracy is supported by a gain drift of ±0.04 %/°C, meaning temperature changes have minimal influence on span, while the zero point remains within ±0.2 % at 20 °C. Over the 0–60 °C operating window, this offset varies only by ±0.08 %, suiting control loops that must stay calibrated as ambient conditions shift. The board drives 8 current channels but offers no galvanic isolation, so every loop shares the same reference potential as the controller backplane. Power consumption reaches 4.4 W on the -30 V rail, 3.3 W on the +15 V rail, and 0.5 W on the +8 V rail, which limits internal heating and simplifies thermal design.