Beckhoff: EL3475 EtherCAT – A Secure Energy Supply With PC-Based Control
February 24, 2025
Beckhoff Offers New Possibilities for Greater Security & Decarbonization in the Energy Supply
PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff opens up new possibilities for greater security and decarbonization in the energy supply. These forms of technology allow energy flows to be reliably controlled and monitored, increasingly heterogeneous power grids to be used more efficiently, and the required applications to be simplified with an IEC 60255-118-1-compliant modular phasor measurement unit and innovative connection technology for energy measuring points.
Description
Beckhoff offers a cost-optimized solution for recording power distribution energy flows with its easy-to-retrofit power sensors and the new EL3475 EtherCAT measurement terminal. Analog measuring devices can thus easily be replaced by split-core current and voltage transformers from the SCTxxxx series or the new SVL1xxx and SCL6xxx series and a seamless measuring chain can be created to monitor, analyze, and optimize processes. Power measurement on all outputs provides greater transparency for distribution grid operators and effective load management for companies. The energy revolution gives rise to many requirements: a stable power supply despite bidirectional energy flows with distributed power generation, and they can be met with Beckhoff products.
Beckhoff’s EL3475 EtherCAT Terminal is a 12-channel analog input module that provides precise and detailed measurements in supply grids with 24-bit resolution and an input voltage of 333 mV. With four RJ45 connections which can each connect three current or voltage transformers, it is versatile and offers the optimal solution for demanding applications while being easy to install.
Beckhoff also has a new synchronization terminal with distributed clock function via a direct connection to a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System); the EL6689 EtherCAT Terminal. An antenna for this can be connected to the terminal directly via an antenna (SMA) connector. All active GNSSs are supported: NAVSTAR GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou. This means that separate systems can be kept synchronized worldwide at as low as 100 ns, which offers many advantages, e.g. for distributed measuring systems for monitoring supply networks.
The TwinCAT software also offers numerous functions for the field of energy measurement.
New Additions
- TwinCAT 3 Power Collector (TF8330) provides software modules for programming applications for power measurement and thus a standardized interface for the EL34xx EtherCAT Terminals. Parameters such as converter ratio and frequency range can be configured automatically and interfaces for advanced transmission protocols such as MQTT, HTTP REST, and OPC UA are already implemented. Telecontrol protocols such as IEC 61850 and IEC 60870 are also available.
- TwinCAT 3 Power Technologies (TF8350) provides software modules for programming in-depth diagnostics for electrical power measurement based on the EL37x3. In combination with the EL3783 and EL6689 EtherCAT Terminals, the TF8350 can be used to implement a phasor measurement unit (PMU) that enables time-synchronous and precise phase measurement in distribution and supply grids in accordance with IEC 60255-118-1.
- TwinCAT 3 Power Control (TF8360) provides software modules for implementing controllers for power plants. This is required for all power-generating systems in order to meet the grid requirements, in accordance with the standards of the individual European countries, e.g. VDE-AR-N 4110 and VDE-AR-N 4120 in Germany.
The TwinCAT 3 IEC 60870-5-10x (TF6500) connectivity function enables communication from the PLC in accordance with IEC standard 60870-5-10x, whereby both server and client operation are possible. The convenient graphical user interface of TwinCAT 3 IEC 61850/IEC 61400-25 (TF6510) is now available for protection and control technology communication in electrical substations.
