Product Description:

Beckhoff’s CX5140-0111/000001 is an embedded PC from the CX Embedded PC Systems series that combines PLC, motion, and visualization tasks for mid-range machines and building services. As a DIN-rail unit, it slots directly into an EtherCAT terminal stack. This allows the PC to act as the central controller while eliminating a separate IPC enclosure in the control cabinet. It is suited to installations where machine control, motion coordination, and local visualization need to be handled in one compact platform.

The computing section is driven by a Intel Atom E3845 processor clocked at 1.91 GHz; this quad-core SoC exposes 4 cores to TwinCAT tasks so deterministic PLC and HMI code can be divided across logical threads for cyclic control and interface work. System responsiveness is supported by 4 GB DDR3-RAM, and each image ships with the TwinCAT 2 PLC Runtime preinstalled, enabling IEC 61131-3 program deployment. A CFast slot and a MicroSD slot provide removable storage for system images and retained data. The housing also provides four USB 2.0 ports that can source 500 mA each, and separate Ethernet ports allow isolated machine and plant-network connections without an add-on card. The fanless design uses low-loss silicon to manage heat without forced ventilation.

Power is supplied by a 24 V DC (-15 %/+20 %) input that also feeds the internal UPS. Total draw rises to 16 W during runtime and to 23 W when the UPS is charging, and the capacitor buffer keeps the controller alive for 1 s during brownouts so data can be written to flash. An allowable range of -25 °C to +60 °C supports outdoor panels and unconditioned switch rooms, while the IP20 enclosure rating suits closed cabinets where dust ingress is limited. Shielded Ethernet cables connect to RJ45 10/100/1000 Mbit/s sockets, and the USB ports simplify service imaging. The 142 × 100 × 92 mm housing permits tight side-by-side mounting without obstructing airflow.