EPxxxx | EtherCAT components

Line, tree or star – EtherCAT supports almost any topology. The 3-port CU1123 EtherCAT junction provides a compact solutions to cascade an EtherCAT network. Where junctions with several ports need to be implemented outside of the EtherCAT Terminal system, the DIN rail-mountable EtherCAT junction can be used instead of the EK1122 EtherCAT Coupler and the 8-port CU1128 EtherCAT junction. Port 1 is the input port for the EtherCAT network, ports 2, and 3 can be used to connect additional EK1100 Couplers or EtherCAT Box modules. The EtherCAT branches are connected via RJ45 ports featuring link and activity status indicators.

The EtherCAT-capable CU1521-0020 for Industrial Fast Ethernet/100 Mbit/s is a 3-port junction with universal media converter function. Its two SFP slots can be equipped with various SFP/SFP+ modules. The use of EtherCAT thus becomes possible via the most diverse transmission paths, depending on which transmission direction is selected and which SFP module is used. In order to ensure EtherCAT compatibility, only SFP modules approved by Beckhoff are to be used. The media converter operates multidirectionally and collision-free with a constant delay and is a self-contained EtherCAT device. Unlike standard media converters, the CU1521-0020 therefore guarantees fast link control and thus a secure termination of the EtherCAT segment, and the seamless ongoing operation of EtherCAT, even in the event of a disruption. The EtherCAT transmission direction (copper to SFP, SFP to copper, SFP to SFP) can be configured on the device via a rotary switch, as can ‘Link Loss Forwarding’ for normal Ethernet operation. The device is delivered without SFP modules but with SFP dust caps inserted.