Product Description:

Beckhoff’s EL3208-0010 is an RTD measurement terminal in the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. Used inside modular I/O stations, it collects temperature signals from resistance sensors and forwards the digitized data to the EtherCAT network for closed-loop machine control. The unit accepts 2-wire sensor wiring and supports channel-to-controller temperature feedback without remote signal conditioners, streamlining thermal monitoring tasks on production lines, test stands, and process equipment.

The terminal provides eight single-ended measurement channels. Each channel is converted by a Delta-Sigma ADC that outputs 16 bit words. To share internal resources, the device relies on Multiplex sampling, successively scanning the inputs while maintaining low conversion noise. An analog filter with a 1 kHz cutoff precedes the converter to suppress high-frequency interference. The resulting data stream is routed through the E-bus, and mounting follows the 35 mm DIN rail profile so the module can sit beside other Beckhoff terminals in a control cabinet. A single-ended ground reference is used, so all sensors relate to the system ground rather than being separately isolated.

Mechanically, the housing is molded from polycarbonate and measures 12 × 100 × 68 mm, allowing installation in any position without reducing airflow. The enclosure carries an IP20 rating, indicating finger-safe access but no protection against liquids, which suits shielded electrical enclosures. Electrical power for the circuitry is supplied via the E-bus, eliminating a separate field supply rail, while the internal sensor excitation path is multiplexed in step with the channel scan. Temperature resolution is fixed at 0.01 °C/digit, giving fine granularity across the supported RTD range. The compact terminal can replace multiple discrete temperature cards and reduce panel space.