Product Description:

The EP2028-0002 is a compact EtherCAT-enabled output block produced by Beckhoff as part of the EP Digital Output Modules series. Designed for installation directly on machinery, it provides protected switching in harsh areas so that valves, signal lamps, or small motors can be driven without a control-cabinet junction. By combining the bus coupler, output electronics, and sealed connectors in one housing, the device simplifies decentralized I/O layouts in industrial automation cells.

This module offers 8 discrete output channels that share a nominal 24 V DC supply. Each channel can source up to 2.0 A per channel, which is enough for inductive solenoids or lamp loads, while internal current monitoring helps prevent excess draw. The electronics themselves draw only 120 mA from the sensor supply, leaving most of the distributed power available for the load side. Communication and cycle synchronization are handled through the deterministic EtherCAT protocol, allowing the outputs to be updated in real time from the PLC. An encapsulated enclosure and molded connectors provide IP65, IP66, and IP67 protection so the block can be mounted on equipment frames without additional covers.

Total load sharing is limited to 4.0 A across all channels, and an auxiliary circuit supplies a separate 0.5 A from U_S for low-power sensors. The fieldbus enters and leaves through a shielded 2 × M8 bus interface, while switched power is routed to actuators through a 4 × M12 socket arrangement that carries both voltage and return lines per pair. A single M8 male connector feeds the supply, and a matching female connector passes it downstream, enabling a simple daisy-chain topology. The unit accepts ohmic, inductive, and lamp loads, does not include ground isolation, and relies on integral short-circuit detection to maintain channel integrity.