Product Description:

The EL6022 is a serial communication interface terminal produced by Beckhoff within the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. Designed for distributed control systems, the terminal converts field-level serial signals into cyclic EtherCAT process data so controllers can read and write serial devices without separate gateways or interface converters. By embedding two independent serial channels in the I/O slice, the product simplifies panel wiring and conserves DIN-rail space in industrial automation cells.

Each channel operates on the RS-485/RS-422 electrical level, supporting both point-to-point and multidrop wiring topologies. Signaling can be either full- or half-duplex, allowing simultaneous or alternating transmit and receive lines as the application demands. The factory-set speed of 9600 baud meets many sensor and drive protocols, while user-configurable rates are available through TwinCAT. Physical connection is made through two D-sub (DE9) connectors, keeping the pinout identical to standard PC COM ports. Internally, each serial line has an 864-byte receive buffer so longer telegrams can be accepted without overrun, and it is paired with an 8-data-bit, 1-stop-bit, no-parity framing scheme. Two data-transfer channels share one process image that maps 16-bit control/status and 22 bytes of user data to the EtherCAT master.

The transmit path contains a 128-byte buffer per channel, giving the PLC time to refill outgoing frames while the interface clocks them out continuously. Cable runs up to 1000 m are permitted when impedance-matched twisted pairs are used, and communication remains stable as long as the external supply provides 2 x 5 V with no more than 20 mA drawn by the terminal logic. The housing meets IP20, so the terminal is intended for installation inside a protected control cabinet.