EtherCAT P: One Cable Automation

With EtherCAT P technology, Beckhoff unites EtherCAT communication and power functions in a standard, 4-wire Ethernet cable. The space-saving One Cable Automation technology integrates the 24V DC supply of the EtherCAT P slaves with the signals and data from connected sensors and actuators. In addition, the system electrically isolates the US (system and sensor supply) and UP (peripheral voltage for actuators) from each other, each with up to 3 A of current for the connected components.

All the benefits of EtherCAT are included in EtherCAT P, such as the free choice of network topology, high-speed communication, optimum bandwidth utilization, telegram processing on the fly, highly precise synchronization, and extensive diagnostics functionality. The US and UP currents are directly injected into the wires of the 100 Mbit/s cable, resulting in a cost-effective and compact connection.

EtherCAT P offers benefits both for the connection of smaller, remote I/O stations in terminal boxes, as well as for decentralized I/O components locally in the process. It covers all applications from the 24V I/O level through to drives with 400V AC or 600V DC, including currents of up to 64 A. In addition, a family of plug connectors has been developed by Beckhoff specifically for EtherCAT P to rule out the possibility of incorrect connection to standard EtherCAT slaves.

With the ability to transmit higher currents, EtherCAT P paves the way toward automation without control cabinets. With One Cable Automation, connected automation components or small terminal boxes receive the necessary control data and power with just one cable and the corresponding branches, helping eliminate large control and electrical cabinets while reducing machine and plant footprint.

Beckhoff offers an extensive product family enabled for EtherCAT P, consisting of infrastructure components, I/O systems, cable sets, and plug connectors. For example, the EPP EtherCAT P Box family offers numerous I/O devices for use directly in harsh environments and installation outside of electrical cabinets. These compact and robust IP67 I/O modules cover a wide range of signals, from standard digital I/Os to complex analog and measurement technologies.