EL3014 by Beckhoff

The EL3014 is a four-channel analog input terminal produced by Beckhoff and supplied within the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. Installed on an EtherCAT I/O strand, it conditions ±10 V process signals and forwards converted digital data to a controller over the real-time fieldbus. By offering compact signal acquisition on the DIN rail, the unit replaces separate analog cards and helps distribute measurement points close to sensors in industrial automation cells. The module occupies a single terminal slot, saving panel space while delivering high-density data collection.

Inside the terminal, an acquisition sequence starts with channel selection by a multiplex switch, followed by analog-to-digital conversion. The hardware provides 4 analog inputs, and the converter yields 12-bit resolution for each sample. The time needed to convert one channel is 0.625 ms, allowing deterministic updates to the EtherCAT process image. Power for the measurement electronics is derived from the backplane, and the terminal draws 130 mA from the E-bus. Because channels are processed with multiplex sampling, only one converter is required, which minimizes power dissipation and module width. Differential referencing keeps return currents off the signal shield.

A passive low-pass stage with a cutoff frequency of 1 kHz suppresses high-frequency transients before conversion. The input path presents 85 ? plus a diode voltage drop, limiting reverse currents and protecting the circuitry. A permissible common-mode voltage of 10 V allows accurate measurement from floating sources. Every channel is mapped to the controller with a process image width of 2 bytes for status data and 2 bytes for the measured value, and the total measurement error remains below ±0.3% of full scale. The housing meets the IP20 protection rating, the installation position is variable, and parameter sets are preserved in integrated nonvolatile storage.