IP3202-B518-0000 by Beckhoff

The IP3202-B518-0000 is an input module manufactured by Beckhoff within the IP Compact Box Units series. Designed for direct mounting on machinery, it converts thermocouple signals at the point of measurement and publishes the values over a distributed fieldbus. This arrangement keeps analog lines short, reduces electrical noise, and gives the main controller immediate access to temperature data required for closed-loop regulation in automated production cells. Its compact housing also allows temperature acquisition to be placed near sensors without using long thermocouple extension cables.

The module communicates over a CANopen network. It provides four analog inputs, and each channel has a 260 ms conversion time before the readings are transferred as four 16-bit words within the process image. Channel-to-electronics isolation is rated at 500 V, but the channels are not isolated from one another, making the unit suitable for sensors that share a common reference. The control electronics and bus interface remain galvanically isolated from each other. Four selectable input filter versions help suppress noise when a fast response is not critical. Thermocouples connect to the device through front-mounted M12 screw-in connectors.

Power is supplied through one 4-pin M8 connector, and a matching socket forwards the line voltage to downstream modules for daisy-chaining the 24 V supply. Sensors can be connected with two-wire or four-wire leads, with the load voltage US distributed through the applicable signal pins. The module provides a 0.1 °C per digit resolution, allowing it to detect small temperature changes without additional scaling in the PLC. An optional I/O block provides four 8-bit registers and four 16-bit registers for auxiliary status or diagnostic data. The bus connection uses an integrated tee connector, so an additional drop cable is unnecessary. This connector also provides automatic termination when no additional CANopen slaves are connected downstream.