Beckhoff Automation epx3184-0022

The EPX3184-0022 analog EtherCAT Box allows intrinsically safe HART-capable field devices from hazardous areas of zones 0/20 and 1/21 to be directly connected. It supplies measuring transducers located in the field and transmits their analog measuring signals to the automation device under electrical isolation. The EtherCAT Box indicates the status of the HART communication via LEDs and signals any communication errors.   The HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) protocol enables two-way communication through digital data transfer via the analog 4...20 mA wiring. In this way, further data can be exchanged with the field device via the superimposed digital signal, in addition to the analog current signal.   HART communication can also be used for the FDT/DTM concept. The TwinCAT FDT Container enables field device DTMs to be directly integrated into TwinCAT Engineering. This means that field device configuration and diagnostics are already available in the development environment. As the FDT concept only supports 32-bit, it cannot be used in the 64-bit TwinCAT XAE Shell.