Product Description:

The EK1828 EtherCAT coupler is produced by Beckhoff as part of the EK EtherCAT Couplers series. It forms the head of a terminal string, translating the high-speed fieldbus into the local E-bus that powers and scans the attached terminals. Within an automation cell, the device combines communication, signal conditioning, and system power so that sensors and actuators can be addressed in real time by the controller. This arrangement lets a compact station connect distributed I/O without requiring a separate communication module for each terminal slice.

The EtherCAT interface operates at 100 MBaud and is presented on 2 x RJ45 ports that support line or branch topologies. Network segments can extend up to 100 m without repeaters, allowing cabinet-to-cabinet runs over standard CAT5e cabling. The coupler draws its logic from a 24 VDC supply and can forward up to 1000 mA on the internal E-bus to energize downstream terminals. Four digital inputs and eight digital outputs are integrated, and the output stages share a power contact rated for 10 A so higher loads can be switched directly. A propagation delay of 1 µs from the EtherCAT frame to the internal bus, together with a 3 ms input filter, helps keep process images stable during fast control cycles and reduces unwanted reactions from contact bounce.

Each of the eight output channels can source up to 0.5 A. Their turn-on behavior uses a fast 60 µs rise time, while de-energizing completes within 300 µs. Channel electronics absorb 150 mJ of breaking energy, which helps limit overvoltage when inductive loads are released. The unit has an ingress protection rating of IP20, making it suitable for installation inside control cabinets. Deterministic switching behavior supports coordinated machine functions such as packaging sequences, transfer steps, and other time-sensitive I/O tasks.