Product Description:

The EL3162 is a dual-channel analog input terminal produced by Beckhoff and belongs to the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. Designed for distributed I/O stations, it converts voltage signals into digital data that an EtherCAT controller can process in real time. By integrating this device on a 35 mm DIN rail, machine builders can sample field-level sensors without separate wiring islands, reducing cycle times and panel space.

It provides two analog input channels that are sampled with a 16-bit resolution, including sign, so bipolar signals are digitized with 65,536 discrete values. Because acquisition is based on simultaneous sampling, both channels capture signals at the same instant, which prevents phase errors in multisensor measurements. An input filter limits the analog bandwidth to 5 kHz, attenuating higher-frequency noise before conversion, while an internal resistance of more than 200 kΩ minimizes loading on high-impedance sensors. The channels share a single-ended ground reference, and the terminal publishes a 2 × 16-bit plus 2 × 8-bit process image to the EtherCAT master. Support for distributed clocks aligns sampling events across the network. The configuration is retained in nonvolatile memory so parameters survive power cycling.

Synchronization quality is maintained by a clock unit with a precision better than 1 µs, allowing coherent sampling across multiple terminals in high-speed motion applications. Under calibrated conditions, the conversion chain introduces a maximum error of ±0.3 %, which is suitable for general process monitoring. Electrical isolation between the channel circuitry and system supply withstands up to 30 V, protecting downstream electronics against field transients. The housing carries an IP20 rating, so it is intended for installation inside a closed control cabinet where accidental contact and dust exposure are limited. Spring-loaded connection points support compact field wiring, while the DIN-rail format allows the terminal to be installed alongside other EtherCAT I/O modules. Diagnostic information can be transferred through the network with the measured process data, helping the controller monitor channel operation without additional signal wiring.