Product Description:

The EL1258-0000 is a high-speed digital input terminal manufactured by Beckhoff as part of the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. In an automation rack, this compact unit connects discrete sensors to the EtherCAT fieldbus and records their state changes with deterministic Distributed Clocks precision of better than one microsecond. That timing performance makes it suitable for precise drive synchronization, packaging machines, and assembly stations. By integrating directly on the EtherCAT backplane, it eliminates separate wiring islands and simplifies signal acquisition inside control cabinets.

The terminal provides 8 digital inputs, each referenced to the common 0 V power contact and intended for switch or proximity sensor signals at 24 VDC. Input switching thresholds follow EN 61131-2 Type 3, so the logic-high state is detected reliably even with moderate source impedance. Each channel draws only 3 mA typical, which minimizes load on sensor outputs and helps reduce cabinet heat, while the separate power contacts forward the supply downstream and conduct only 6 mA typical. Front-end conditioning includes an integral filter of < 1 µs, so contact bounce is suppressed without sacrificing response time, and the 2-wire connection technology keeps field wiring straightforward.

Time alignment across distributed nodes is handled by the built-in MultiTimeStamping mode, which assigns a common clock tag to every input edge for later evaluation in the PLC task. The EtherCAT backplane supplies the electronics, which draw 130 mA typical from the E-bus, so no additional auxiliary power is required beyond the sensor supply. For mounting, the housing snaps onto a 35 mm DIN rail in any orientation, which supports flexible placement in compact enclosures. With a protection rating of IP20, the module is intended for indoor control cabinets where finger protection is sufficient and the surrounding enclosure provides the needed environmental shielding.