Product Description:

The EL3044 is an analog input terminal produced by Beckhoff for the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. It attaches to the system bus and converts industrial 0 to 20 mA current loops into digital words that the PLC can evaluate. The module serves in machine cells where compact distributed I/O is required, eliminating long analog cable runs and delivering synchronized sampling through the EtherCAT cycle. Because it shares the mechanical footprint of other EL terminals, installation remains consistent across control cabinets.

Internally, the unit provides 4 analog inputs, so one terminal captures signals from four separate sensors. A multiplexed front end samples each channel within a typical conversion time of 0.625 ms, coordinating with the controller’s scan to minimize latency. The sigma-delta converter offers a resolution of 12 bits with a 16-bit presentation, allowing discernible steps of approximately 5 µA across the full scale. A hardware input filter operating at 1 kHz suppresses high-frequency noise that might appear on long cable runs. The measurement range is fixed at 0 to 20 mA, matching most process transmitters. The terminal draws only 130 mA from the EtherCAT E-bus, so large node counts do not overload the backplane supply.

Channel accuracy is maintained by a factory-calibrated architecture that limits deviation to ±0.3% FS across the entire 0 to 55 °C operating band. Stable performance is further supported by an internal 85 Ω burden resistor, single-ended ground referencing, and dielectric strength up to 30 V between the inputs and system potential. The permissible ambient temperature range of -25 to +60 °C allows cabinet mounting in chilled or heated environments, while a storage temperature down to -40 °C protects the unit while it is not in operation. All electronics reside inside a thermoplastic housing that meets the IP20 ingress rating, so installation is limited to closed electrical enclosures where basic touch protection is sufficient.