EPP1258-0002 by Beckhoff

The EPP1258-0002 is a digital input box manufactured by Beckhoff for the EPP EtherCAT P Box Modules series. Mounted close to sensors, it feeds electrically isolated signals directly into an EtherCAT P line that carries both data and 24-volt power. By combining input acquisition with the protocol's Distributed Clocks mechanism, the unit lets machine controllers timestamp field events with sub-microsecond precision, supporting deterministic motion sequences and fault analysis in industrial automation plants.

Every channel complies with EN 61131-2 Type 3 and passes through a hardware filter with a response time of 10 µs, so transient noise is suppressed before the PLC detects a state change. The module offers 8 inputs, with each standard input drawing only 6 mA at the nominal 24-volt level to minimize sensor loading. The Up supply delivers operating voltage at 24 VDC to the internal electronics and connected field devices. Distributed Clocks logic aligns each detected edge with the global network time base without software intervention. Automatic input-delay compensation maintains consistent synchronous sampling across multiple boxes installed along the same EtherCAT trunk.

Communication is daisy-chained through two M8 sockets with four-pin, P-coded, red connectors, while sensor cables connect through the dedicated four M12 sockets. The Up power line can supply a maximum of 3 A to downstream loads. Two special timestamp channels capture fast events at a resolution of 1 ns, registering edge positions with an accuracy of 10 ns plus the input delay. These high-speed inputs draw only 3 mA from their 24-volt reference. The control circuitry draws 100 mA from the Us rail, and this auxiliary supply can provide a cumulative 3 A to additional logic devices connected after the module.