EtherCAT’s (www.ethercat.org) EK18xx coupler series efficiently integrates important functionalities of the EK1100 EtherCAT coupler and the standard digital Input/Outputs in just a single housing.

The result is a compact design which has the dimensions of minimally 44x100x68 mm especially suitable for applications whose number of I/Os are relatively smaller. Similar to the regular EK1100 coupler, the newest EK18xx couplers could be extended by any of EtherCAT’s terminals. A single-wire technique implements the digital I/Os and wiring could be executed even without tools that utilize direct plug-in with wire end sleeves or single-wire conductors.

Four I/O variants are readily available which include the EK1814 with four digital inputs/four digital outputs, the EK1818 with eight digital inputs/four digital outputs, the EK1828 with four digital inputs/eight digital outputs and finally EK1828-0010 which offers eight digital outputs.

With its new EK18xx EtherCAT Coupler series, Beckhoff is indeed consistently leading the path towards miniaturization of designs along with optimization of costs.

The EK18xx coupler provides its users with a precisely dimensioned solution, as it is custom-made for applications with cramped space conditions and a small number of I/O points.

EtherCAT’s terminal system is a modular I/O system that comprises electronic terminal blocks. Technological features provided are well supported to the optimum, given that the EtherCAT protocol is retained to the individual terminal. The suitable EtherCAT terminals are available for all common analogue and digital signal types that may be encountered in automation. The lower-level bus systems are included via local master/slave terminals.