EL6021 Beckhoff
Wake Industrial LLC is not an authorized distributor of this product.
MPN: EL6021-0000
The Beckhoff EL6021 is part of the EL EtherCAT Terminals series and supports one RS422/RS485 channel with a default baud rate of 9600 baud. It features differential signal transmission, full or half duplex mode, and mounts on a 35 mm rail. The terminal offers a maximum cable length of 1000 meters and has an IP20 protection rating.
Internal Product Review
The EL6021 is a Beckhoff EtherCAT terminal for 1-channel RS422/RS485 serial communication. Full/half duplex operation and differential signal transmission give the terminal very dependable behavior in demanding control architectures. A maximum cable length of 1000 m is a strong advantage for longer serial runs.
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Product Description:
The EL6021 is a serial communication terminal designed by Beckhoff for the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. Installed in an EtherCAT I/O station, it provides a dedicated serial interface that links controllers to external sensors, drives, or operator panels that rely on asynchronous data exchange. By converting EtherCAT process data into standard serial signals, the terminal provides a compact way to add point-to-point connectivity without separate gateway hardware in industrial automation systems.
The EL6021 has one serial channel for connecting an external device. Communication starts at a default speed of 9600 baud, and the terminal uses a frame format of 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. The port supports full- or half-duplex communication through an RS-422/RS-485 interface, allowing point-to-point or multidrop network configurations. Differential signaling helps reduce the effects of electrical noise on transmitted data. A 128-byte transmit FIFO and an 864-byte receive FIFO balance polling rates between the EtherCAT bus and the serial line. This buffering helps prevent data loss when the controller polls the terminal over longer EtherCAT cycle times and supports consistent telegram exchange.
The physical layer has a characteristic impedance of 120 Ω, allowing proper termination and stable signal waveforms over network lengths of up to 1000 m. Operating power is supplied through the E-bus, so additional power terminal blocks are not required for the module. The plastic enclosure has an IP20 degree of protection, which protects against accidental contact with internal electrical parts but does not provide protection from water. The terminal clips onto a 35 mm DIN rail alongside other EtherCAT terminals, supporting orderly installation within an I/O station. Its 12 mm-wide housing supports high I/O density and reduces the amount of cabinet rail space needed for serial communication. The combination of differential signaling, onboard buffering, and DIN-rail mounting makes the terminal suitable for long serial connections in industrial environments with electrical interference.
