Product Description:

The EL3052 is a two-channel analog input terminal from Beckhoff and belongs to the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. It connects current-output process sensors to an EtherCAT fieldbus segment, allowing a controller to read low-level signals and respond to them in real time within an industrial automation cell. The terminal is suitable for devices that transmit measurements through standard 4–20 mA signals. Power for the electronics comes exclusively from the E-bus, which eliminates the need for a separate supply connection at the terminal. This arrangement also allows the module to receive power and exchange process data through the same terminal assembly.

The terminal accepts 2 single-ended inputs and converts each sample in 0.625 ms, making updated data available for fast control loops. Its typical E-bus current consumption is 130 mA, which must be considered when sizing the backplane power supply for a complete terminal station. The front-end filter begins attenuating signals above 1 kHz, helping prevent high-frequency electrical noise from reaching the analog-to-digital converter. The converter provides a nominal resolution of 12 bits, while the process image uses 16-bit words for alignment with standard PLC data types. Distributed-clock synchronization is not supported, so sample timing relies on the standard EtherCAT communication cycle. CoE storage support allows configuration data to remain available after the equipment is powered off and restarted.

The input circuitry can withstand a differential voltage of up to 30 V relative to ground. Each current input has an impedance of approximately 85 Ω, providing the measurement resistance needed for common industrial current signals. The housing has an IP20 protection rating, so the terminal must be installed in a suitable control cabinet that protects it from dust, moisture, and direct contact. Samples are acquired through a multiplexed sequence, with the two channels scanned in turn and referenced to a shared ground connection. The process image allocates status and value data to each channel so the controller can evaluate both the measurement and its operating condition. All process data travel over the E-bus lines, which keeps fieldbus wiring compact when several EL series terminals are installed together. The removable terminal design also allows the field wiring to remain organized alongside neighboring EtherCAT modules.