With the introduction of EtherCAT P, Beckhoff has further advanced its EtherCAT technology, which has become a global standard in industrial communication. EtherCAT P brings together ultra-fast EtherCAT communication with a 24 V power supply for both the system and peripherals—offering an optional power source. This innovation enables Single Cable Automation (OCA) at the field level, allowing devices to be plugged in and used directly from 24 V sensors all the way up to 600 V drives, without the need for a control cabinet.
EtherCAT P integrates the 24 V DC power supply for EtherCAT P slaves and connected sensors and actuators within a single 4-core Ethernet cable. The US (system and sensor power) and UP (actuator peripheral voltage) are electrically isolated and can deliver up to 3 A of current to the connected components, ensuring reliable operation across a wide range of applications.
**EtherCAT P – the ideal bus for sensors, actuators, and measurement technology components**
By feeding the US and UP currents directly into the wires of the 100 Mbit/s cable, EtherCAT P offers a highly economical and compact connection solution. This makes it particularly well-suited for connecting sensors, actuators, and measurement devices. It allows small I/O stations to be connected to terminal boxes and supports distributed I/O components efficiently. Beckhoff has developed a dedicated M8 connector for EtherCAT P, featuring a mechanical code that prevents confusion with standard EtherCAT slave connectors.
**Dual cable connection: EtherCAT and power supply**
**Dual cable connection: EtherCAT and power cable solution: EtherCAT P**
**EtherCAT P (right) combines powerful EtherCAT communication with a separate power supply system in a 4-conductor standard Ethernet cable**
To connect components that require higher voltages and/or currents, a complete EtherCAT P connector family is available, covering all application needs up to 400 V AC or 600 V DC, with drive currents up to 64 A. This makes it easy to connect all field-level components. For I/O applications, interfaces with IP 20 and IP 67 protection ratings are available. The system is also ideal for AC and DC motors, actuators, valve terminals, and sensors such as proximity Switches, encoders, and rotary encoders. For vision applications, cameras, barcode scanners, and 3D scanners can be easily integrated.
**EtherCAT P simplifies system cabling**
The core idea behind EtherCAT P is to simplify system cabling by reducing the number of connectors required for automation components. A single-cable solution that is adaptable to individual power needs and highly scalable can be deployed throughout the field level. For 24 V applications, a standard Ethernet cable suffices. For higher voltages and currents, EtherCAT P can be integrated into the corresponding power cable. Beckhoff provides a wide range of cables and connectors tailored for these applications.
This eliminates the need for a separate power cable, significantly cutting down on material and assembly costs while reducing the risk of installation errors. It also minimizes space requirements in cable lines, control cabinets, and the machine itself. Additional benefits include cleaner, more compact cable runs and smaller, more efficient sensors and actuators. This gives machine builders greater design flexibility while lowering hardware and system costs through a streamlined, tool-assisted layout.
**EtherCAT P provides an efficient single cable solution for the entire field layer**
**Direct power to the device and flexible topology**
The topology of EtherCAT P follows the same structure as traditional EtherCAT, offering the same flexibility in configuration. Line, tree, and star topologies can be freely combined to achieve the most cost-effective system setup. Unlike traditional Power over Ethernet (PoE), EtherCAT P allows cascading through a single feed device. The cascade is limited only by voltage drop, but this can be managed by adding additional feed points. This makes EtherCAT P a versatile and scalable solution for modern industrial automation systems.
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