EL3453 by Beckhoff

The EL3453 is a three-phase power measurement terminal produced by Beckhoff within the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. This compact module mounts on a DIN-rail I/O segment to record line voltages and currents from an AC supply before transmitting the processed data to the controller. It supports energy management functions such as load monitoring, leakage detection, and efficiency analysis in industrial automation and building installations where precise electrical feedback is required. Its compact terminal format allows power measurements to be incorporated into a distributed control system alongside conventional digital and analog I/O modules.

The terminal uses a transformer-coupled input stage to isolate the measurement circuitry from the mains. Each sampled waveform is evaluated with True RMS algorithms, so the reported values remain consistent when loads produce distorted waveforms. Data reach the PLC through the high-speed EtherCAT backplane, allowing measurements to be synchronized with other process signals. The voltage inputs accept line-to-line potentials up to 690 V AC. Selectable current paths accommodate 1 A AC or 5 A AC secondary currents supplied by external current transformers. An IP20 enclosure protects against accidental contact with hazardous internal parts and is intended for installation inside a suitable control cabinet. The terminal processes voltage and current data locally, reducing the amount of calculation required from the connected controller while providing timely values for monitoring and analysis.

The EL3453 evaluates harmonic content up to the 40th harmonic, providing visibility into waveform distortion that may cause transformer heating or interfere with sensitive drives. The housing occupies only 24 mm of DIN-rail width, allowing power monitoring to be added without requiring substantial cabinet space. Internally, distributed clocks align the sampling of the terminal's 3 current inputs and corresponding voltage channels with the global EtherCAT time base. This synchronized acquisition supports phase-accurate power and energy calculations across connected equipment. The voltage channels connect through fused measurement points, while external current transformers provide scaled secondary signals to the current channels. These separate voltage and current paths allow the terminal to calculate electrical values from synchronized waveform samples without carrying the full load current through the I/O assembly.