EC: EL6900 Safety PLC Terminal

Safety controller: Beckhoff Automation EL6900 Safety PLC Terminal. The EL6900 Safety PLC terminal can integrate up to 128 4-channel safety terminals (512 safety devices) and is capable of processing 256 safety-relevant function blocks. This is a Control Engineering 2011 Engineers' Choice (EC) Honorable Mention.

November 1, 2010

In order to better help machine builders and manufacturers streamline safety systems with simple safety I/O terminals, Beckhoff Automation has introduced TwinSAFE Terminals for the EtherCAT I/O system. Rated for SIL 3 and conforming to IEC 61508 and EN ISO 13849-1 PLe, TwinSAFE Terminals for EtherCAT are certified for use throughout North America. These new safety terminals for the EtherCAT I/O system fully utilize the high performance of EtherCAT – the EL6900 safety PLC terminal can integrate up to 128 4-channel safety terminals (512 safety devices) and is capable of processing 256 safety-relevant function blocks. The safety function blocks integrated into the EL6900 Safety PLC are configured according to each unique application. In this way, safety functions can be easily programmed such as emergency stop, safety door monitoring, two-hand control, serial/parallel muting, timers, and latches. 

Even a connection shutdown function can be established so interchangeable sections of equipment with safety terminals installed can be removed from the machine without causing safety system errors. Systems can be expanded with additional EL6900 Safety PLCs as necessary. In this way, the safety-relevant control tasks for machines and plants can be implemented locally or centrally according to the application. The 24 V dc digital input terminals (EL1904) and 24 V dc digital output terminals (EL2902: 2.3 A and EL2904: 0.5 A) are available for connecting safety sensors or actuators. The TwinSAFE Terminals can be installed in any position in the terminal system and in distributed I/O systems. The EL6900 Safety PLC can also be used as a safety controller for AX5000 Servo Drives from Beckhoff, which use EtherCAT as a motion bus. Safety over EtherCAT permits the integration of safety devices into a control system without requiring a stand-alone safety PLC or segregated safety network. 

www.beckhoffautomation.com

www.beckhoff.com/Safety-over-EtherCAT

Beckhoff Automation

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