Product Description:

The EL6851-0010 is a single-channel DMX interface terminal produced by Beckhoff for the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. Installed alongside standard I/O nodes, this device links an EtherCAT controller to stage or architectural lighting that communicates over DMX. By integrating the master or slave port directly into the control cabinet, it removes the need for separate gateways and gives the automation system deterministic access to 512 lighting or media channels. This arrangement is useful when lighting devices need to be controlled from the same automation platform as other machine or building functions.

Its communication layer is based on the RS485 physical interface, and the terminal transmits DMX frames at 250 kbit per second, which is the fixed rate required by the protocol. The supported protocol is DMX512, so up to 512 bytes of application data can be exchanged in each universe. A line impedance of 120 Ω must be maintained to minimize reflections, and the built-in switchable termination resistor allows correct matching at the end of a segment. Data are serialized with 1 start bit and 2 stop bits, and the port works in half-duplex mode so the same pair carries outgoing and incoming data. The terminal provides one channel, which fits applications that need a compact DMX connection inside an EtherCAT terminal stack.

Mechanically, the terminal mounts on a 35 mm DIN rail and has a housing that is 12 mm wide, 68 mm deep, and 100 mm high, so high channel density can be achieved inside the control cabinet. Operating power is supplied via E-bus, so no extra wiring is needed for the electronics. With an enclosure rating of IP20, the module is intended for protected indoor cabinets where only basic touch protection is required. The narrow housing leaves room for neighboring terminals and helps maintain an orderly front layout inside dense control panels.