Product Description:

B&R Automation's ECPE84-2 is an analog input expansion card in the ECP Multi Control Modules series. The board is intended for distributed PLC architectures where multiple sensor currents must be digitized and isolated from the control electronics. By providing eight galvanically separated input channels, the module allows process instrumentation such as pressure or flow transmitters to be monitored in industrial automation cells without compromising signal integrity.

Each channel accepts currents in the range of 0 to 25 mA and uses a shunt of 50 Ω ±0.1 %, producing a measurable voltage that is converted by a 15-bit sigma-delta converter. After conversion, data can be refreshed every 6.3 ms, and the module can be set to a minimum period of 3.9 ms for time-critical loops. A passive low-pass network attenuates higher-frequency noise, and its -3 dB corner is set to 6 Hz ±20 %, which suppresses mains ripple while preserving slow process dynamics. The worst-case linearity error across the operating span is ±2 LSB, ensuring predictable scaling in closed-loop algorithms. Min/max overload capability of ±70 mA protects the inputs against short transients, and eight discrete channels simplify wiring in multi-sensor panels.

Additional timing and isolation figures describe response during operation. Complete data sets propagate through filter stages in 145 ms ±20 %, so trending applications receive stabilized values without overshoot. Automatic self-calibration runs on power-up, and its duration ranges from 0.7 s to 1.1 s depending on temperature, after which the normal update cycle begins. Signal groups are separated from processor logic by a channel-to-PLC isolation barrier rated at 270 Veff. Power demand is split between supply rails, drawing 2.8 W from the +15 V rail and 0.9 W from the +8 V rail, which supports dense stacking in compact controls. This arrangement allows high-precision analog expansion to operate alongside digital motion or safety modules on the same backplane.