IE4132-0000 by Beckhoff

The IE4132-0000 is an analog output extension box manufactured by Beckhoff for the IE Extension Box Units series. Installed directly on machinery, it connects the EtherCAT fieldbus to local actuators, so voltage signals do not have to be routed back to a central cabinet. The unit uses the 24 V DC system potential as its ground reference and supports decentralized automation layouts. Its compact form and M8 cabling facilitate installation in conveyors, packaging stations, and small process skids without requiring extensive field wiring.

The module provides 4 analog outputs, with one signal channel available for the setpoint control of drives or proportional valves. Each channel has a resolution of 16 bits, allowing fine voltage increments for precise control of connected equipment. A conversion interval of < 4 ms enables the controller to refresh the outputs quickly enough for motion or pressure loops that require consistent timing. The field-side supply accepts up to 30 VDC, providing appropriate operating headroom while protecting the module from excessive supply voltage. Connected equipment must have an input impedance of at least 5 k?, which keeps the output stages within their rated current range and maintains linear signal behavior across the available span.

The EtherCAT interface maps control commands into 4 × 8 bits of status and command data, while analog process values occupy a separate 4 × 16 bits process image for deterministic exchange with the PLC. Output wiring terminates at a rugged M12 screw-in connector that resists vibration and permits secure field connections. Control and auxiliary voltages enter through a dedicated 1 × M8 4-pin power feed, keeping the power connection separate from the data path. A pass-through M8 connection supports daisy-chained power distribution between extension boxes. The channels do not have inter-channel electrical isolation, so connected devices share the module's reference potential. The actuator supply is drawn from the UP load-voltage rail, allowing multiple units to use a common field supply without separate distribution hardware at each box.