EL4732 by Beckhoff

The EL4732 is a voltage-output EtherCAT terminal produced by Beckhoff and assigned to the EL EtherCAT Terminals series. As a two-channel analog module, it converts numerical setpoints from the controller into standardized ±10 V levels that drive actuators, test fixtures, or external amplifiers inside distributed industrial automation cells. Its compact form allows placement alongside digital I/O on the same bus, so precise analog outputs can be integrated without a separate fieldbus.

It supplies 2 single-ended channels that are updated by simultaneous sampling, preventing skew between outputs during dynamic motion or test patterns. Each channel spans a bipolar range of ±10 V, letting the terminal interface directly with servo drives or instrumentation that use this industry-standard level. Fine adjustment is possible because the internal digital-to-analog converter operates at a 16-bit resolution, yielding 65,536 discrete steps across the range. For time-critical profiles, the terminal can stream at up to 100 ksamples/s, and an internal oversampling factor of 100 allows it to subdivide the EtherCAT cycle for microsecond timing. Synchronization with other Distributed Clocks nodes remains within <100 ns, so the phase error between modules remains negligible. The maximum interference deviation is 5%, which limits the permissible influence of adjacent channels and bus activity on signal fidelity, while the single-ended ground reference simplifies wiring in common-return cabinets.

E-bus conductors power the output stage, and the terminal typically draws 180 mA from this backplane, so no additional supply is required. Cabinet installation is supported by the IP20 protection class, which indicates finger-safe terminals but no sealing against liquids. Analog accuracy is maintained with a maximum measuring error of ±0.1% of full scale, provided the connected load is at least 5 k?. These electrical limits help keep the amplifier linear during continuous operation, while the interference limit preserves signal quality in densely packed racks.