Fieldbus & Industrial Networking


EtherCAT box delivers better monitored power in the field

April 2013 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking

The new EP9214 power distributor box enables the local distribution and switching off of the power supply, providing the ability to exceed the power limitation specified by typical M8 plug connectors. This innovative I/O solution also provides complete diagnostics and control functionality for up to eight 24 VDC branch circuits per power box.

The IP67-rated EtherCAT Box I/O modules typically use M8 plug connectors for supplying power, which according to the plug connector standard are only suitable for a maximum amperage of 4 A. Therefore, it may not be possible to simply loop the supply through when modules have a large number of outputs. A further limitation concerns the cables: if the cables from the control cabinet to the machine are long, an excessive voltage drop can occur at higher currents. As a result, the 24 VDC can no longer be maintained and the modules or connected sensors/actuators may no longer work properly.

The EP9214 power box is the ideal solution for these challenges. Equipped with larger plug connectors, it maintains a total current of 16 A for each control and peripheral voltage with cable cross-sections of 1,5 and 2,5 mm². Even considerably higher starting currents are briefly permissible at the outputs, so that a trouble-free start-up of the connected devices is guaranteed. Wiring in the field using the power distributor box is significantly simpler and less expensive than equipping the system with additional terminal boxes with fuses.

The diagnostic and control functions of the EP9214 provide additional benefits. Apart from monitoring the input current, the currents in the control channel and the peripheral voltage channel are also monitored separately. In addition, the monitoring, limitation and, if necessary, the switching off of the power supply is possible for both channels. The EP9214 power box can be fully controlled via the EtherCAT network and the current diagnostics can be carried out conveniently via the controller. The eight 24 VDC voltage circuits can also be separately switched on or off directly via EtherCAT in order to increase the energy efficiency of the plant.

For more information contact Kenneth McPherson, Beckhoff Automation, +27 (0)11 795 2898, [email protected], www.beckhoff.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Dynamic control of industrial solar plants and energy storage systems
Beckhoff Automation Editor's Choice IT in Manufacturing
Spanish group, Power Electronics uses Beckhoff embedded PCs and TwinCAT software to achieve switching times of 110 ms across solar and battery storage systems, enabling the delivery of grid support services that command higher energy prices.

Read more...
PC-based control in surgery
Beckhoff Automation Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Researchers at the University of Basel are using Beckhoff PC-based control technology to develop a miniature laser robot for minimally invasive bone surgery.

Read more...
Remote I/O modules provide flexible options for distributed applications
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Dinkle International is now stocking the iO-GRID NEMO industrial-grade remote input/output modules, offering support for five leading industrial Ethernet protocols and a range of discrete channel configurations for distributed automation applications.

Read more...
Local energy solutions rewiring resilience across Africa
News Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Engineers across Africa are developing practical, scalable energy and mobility solutions supported by the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.

Read more...
Daudin expands fieldbus modular remote I/O series
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
: The Dinkle iO-GRID X modular remote I/O family is now available, offering fieldbus coupler modules for major industrial Ethernet protocols, and over 20 types of I/O modules to help integrators and equipment builders create flexible, efficient control systems.

Read more...
Siemens and HighByte partner to scale industrial AI
Siemens South Africa IT in Manufacturing Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Siemens is expanding its Industrial Edge ecosystem through a partnership with HighByte, enabling customers to connect, contextualise and transform data from operational technology and information technology sources to build AI models and applications at scale.

Read more...
Automotive Ethernet media converter
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
HMS Networks has introduced its first automotive ethernet product under the PEAK brand. The PAE-Media Converter is a compact device designed to connect automotive Ethernet (100BASE-T1 or 1000BASE-T1) with standard Ethernet (100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T) networks.

Read more...
3D electrical systems design workflow for electromechanical innovation
Siemens South Africa Fieldbus & Industrial Networking IT in Manufacturing
Siemens has announced new 3D electrical design capabilities within its Capital software, enabling electrical and mechanical engineers to work concurrently in a shared 3D environment to reduce late-stage design changes and accelerate time to market for complex electromechanical products.

Read more...
Long-distance signal delivery is critical to rail safety
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
A remote monitoring specialist explains why fibre optic technology is increasingly replacing copper cabling in safety-critical railway signalling systems.

Read more...
Building efficiency into cement production with SCADA and IIoT
Adroit Technologies Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
For decades, Adroit Technologies has worked alongside leading cement producers, helping them gain greater visibility into their operations through advanced SCADA and IIoT solutions.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved