Product Description:

The EL3201-0010 analog input terminal is produced by Beckhoff as part of the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. It converts resistance changes from platinum or nickel temperature sensors into digital values that a controller can use for precise thermal regulation, batch monitoring, or alarm generation within distributed automation panels. By combining the sensor interface, analog-to-digital conversion, and EtherCAT communication in a single slot, the device streamlines temperature acquisition across production machinery.

A delta-sigma converter with a Delta-Sigma modulation stage performs the analog-to-digital conversion, improving noise rejection at low signal levels. The module resolves temperature changes down to 0.01 °C/digit, giving fine control when small thermal drifts matter. The unit samples its channel simultaneously, which helps maintain temporal coherence with synchronized EtherCAT terminals. The recorded word occupies 4 bytes of the process image, so the PLC must allocate that memory per scan. Field wiring follows a 4-wire scheme that removes lead resistance, and the excitation current stays below 0.5 mA, minimizing self-heating. One single-ended input accepts Pt100, Pt200, Pt500, Pt1000, Ni100, Ni120, or Ni1000 sensors.

The housing measures 12 mm × 100 mm × 68 mm, attaches to a 35 mm DIN rail, and is molded from Polycarbonate for insulation. With an IP20 rating, the terminal requires placement inside a cabinet but permits safe touch during maintenance. Power for the measurement electronics is supplied by the EtherCAT E-bus, while the internal power contacts can carry up to 10 A to adjacent modules. The low excitation current preserves sensor accuracy over long leads. These mechanical and electrical properties allow the terminal to fit densely packed I/O stations without adding wiring complexity or external power feeds.