Glossary · Industrial communication
EtherCAT terminal
Also known as: EtherCAT I/O terminal, EtherCAT clamp
German: EtherCAT-Klemmen
In industrial automation, an EtherCAT terminal is a modular I/O module that plugs onto a DIN rail next to an EtherCAT coupler and connects sensors and actuators to an EtherCAT network through the internal terminal bus. The term is mainly used for Beckhoff's EL terminal range.
- Industrial communication
- Vendor product
In one sentence
An EtherCAT terminal is a DIN-rail I/O module that connects sensors and actuators to EtherCAT via a coupler and the internal terminal bus.
Example
A control cabinet holds an EtherCAT coupler followed by digital input, analog output and temperature measurement terminals that together form one remote I/O station.
How it applies
- Engineering: Each terminal is an EtherCAT device in its own right; the coupler converts the Ethernet physical layer to the internal bus. Designers check the current budget of the terminal bus supply and the power contacts for the field side.
- Commissioning: The configuration tool scans the terminal sequence. If the physical order differs from the configured one, the station doesn't start or reports an error.
- Maintenance: Terminals can often be replaced individually; the replacement must be the same type and revision or be compatible according to the manufacturer.
- Documentation: The documentation team shows the terminal order in the cabinet layout, lists terminal types with their process data, and explains how to replace a terminal safely (de-energizing field and bus supply as specified).
The list term "Ethercat Clamps" is a literal translation of the German "Klemmen"; in English these modules are called terminals.
Keep in mind: Product names, series and features change. Check the vendor's current documentation for terminal types, supply limits and compatibility.