Product Description:

The CU8803-0000 junction is produced by Beckhoff within the CU EtherCAT Junctions series. Designed for cabinet installation, this unit functions as a compact branching module that combines CP-Link II media with EtherCAT wiring so that a single industrial PC can fan out to several operator panels or remote I/O nodes. By integrating the power supply and communication paths in one housing, the junction streamlines panel wiring and maintains deterministic real-time behavior throughout the automation network. Its purpose is to consolidate multiple panel connections while preserving EtherCAT topology rules and galvanic separation between subsystems.

To operate, the junction accepts a 24 V DC supply and draws up to 4.7 A under full branch load. The housing measures 70 mm wide, 80 mm deep, and 100 mm high, letting it fit beside terminal blocks on a 35 mm mounting rail. An IP20 rating means only basic finger protection, so the device must sit within a closed cabinet. The PC side provides a USB-B service port and a DVI-D video input, and both match the included 1 m USB 2.0 A-to-B and 1 m DVI-to-DVI leads. For file transfer, the USB channel sustains a 100 Mbit/s data rate without external hubs.

On the field side, each CP-Link II branch can extend up to 100 m when routed with shielded Cat.6A cabling, and signals terminate in an industry-standard RJ45 socket that simplifies replacement of damaged cords. The internal power feed and bus repeaters are sized so that no additional extenders are needed within this distance. Despite its multiple interfaces, the unit adds only 745 g to the DIN rail load, so large control panels can accommodate several junctions without exceeding structural limits. This arrangement supports distribution of video, touch input, and real-time EtherCAT communication from a single industrial PC to several operator stations while maintaining predictable timing and orderly cable routing.