Product Description:

The BC8050 is a compact PLC-based bus terminal controller from Beckhoff, supplied as part of the BC Bus Terminals series. Designed for machine and plant builders, the unit combines local I/O processing with network communication so that distributed sensor and actuator groups can be integrated without a separate rack-mounted controller. It serves as the head station for a block of modular terminals, executes user logic, and forwards consolidated process data to the supervisory system in an industrial automation line.

Communication to the higher-level control layer is established through the RS485 fieldbus channel, while up to 64 K-bus terminals can be attached in succession across the local extension port. The internal core is a 16-bit microcontroller that executes code stored in 48 kbyte of program memory and manipulates variables in a separate 32 kbyte data area. The controller presents a process image of 2048 bytes for inputs and the same size for outputs, allowing it to handle 1024 analog and 2040 digital peripheral signals without additional gateways. Electrical supply is provided via a 24 VDC main rail, and each power contact is rated to carry up to 10 A, supporting high-current field devices such as valve islands or motor starters.

These resources are supported by a K-bus that can deliver 1750 mA to the stacked terminals, ensuring stable voltage for signal-conditioning modules even when the expansion reaches its 64-node limit. The housing measures 44 × 100 × 68 mm and has an IP20 protection class, so it is intended for installation inside a control cabinet. With a mass of only 100 g, the head unit adds minimal load to DIN-rail assemblies while still accommodating the power contacts and backplane conductors needed for the analog, digital, and communication functions described above.