EL4002 by Beckhoff

The EL4002 analog output terminal is produced by Beckhoff as a member of the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. Classified as a dual-channel voltage module, it converts digital process data from an EtherCAT controller into field-level analog signals for drives, sensors, or actuators that require voltage references. Within an automation framework, it occupies one slot on the I/O rail and receives both communication and 24 V auxiliary power over the EtherCAT backplane, giving machine builders a compact method for distributing low-power analog outputs alongside digital I/O.

Each channel delivers a programmable output range of 0 to 10 V, allowing the terminal to interface with most industrial voltage-driven devices. The conversion depth is 12-bit, so the controller can adjust the output in 4,096 discrete steps. The module's power rail requires 24 V DC, but its electronics are powered through the E-Bus, which draws a typical current of 140 mA. The terminal has two outputs that share a single-ended ground reference. Multiplexed conversion ensures that the channels are refreshed sequentially by the internal converter. Support for distributed clocks enables submicrosecond synchronization with other EtherCAT nodes.

Channel accuracy has a measuring deviation of ±0.1% or less, which keeps process discrepancies minimal across the full voltage range when the connected load is greater than 5 k?. The analog data appear in the controller as 2 × 16-bit analog output words, matching the word size used in typical PLC variables. Field wiring is protected to IP20, so the terminal must be mounted inside a cabinet. The internal 0 V distribution rail can supply up to 500 mA, while the separate power contacts for the analog stage carry approximately 40 mA. These electrical limits help prevent the bus from being overloaded when multiple terminals are connected along the I/O rail.