Exact product identification
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Beckhoff EL2042 2-Channel 4 A Digital Output EtherCAT Terminal
EL2042
2-channel 24 V DC EtherCAT digital-output terminal, 4 A per channel, supporting one 8 A load with parallel outputs. 3-wire EL spring terminals.
- Availability
- In Stock
- Condition
- New Original
- SKU
- EL2042
- Lifecycle
- Active
12 months warranty
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Independent supplier: Xindustra is not an authorized distributor, reseller, or representative of Beckhoff. Brand names are used for identification and compatibility purposes only. Read disclaimer
Technical specifications
Output characteristics, 3-wire terminal wiring, station power and control behavior for EL2042.
2 digital outputs for 24 V DC loads
EL2042 is an EL EtherCAT digital-output terminal rated 4 A per channel. Two 4 A outputs support higher-current loads; the documented parallel connection combines them into one load circuit of up to 8 A.
Output and load characteristics
- Manufacturer part number
EL2042
- Output polarity
Positive switching / sourcing; switched +24 V
- Number of outputs
2
- Nominal voltage
24 V DC (-15%/+20%)
- Max. output current
4.0 A (short-circuit proof) per channel, 8 A for parallel connection
- Load type
resistive, inductive, lamp load
- Reverse polarity protection
yes
- Switching-off energy
< 1.7 J/channel
- Switching times
typ. TON: 40 µs, typ. TOFF: 200 µs
EL2042 load configurations
| Parameter / condition | Independent output circuits | One parallel load circuit |
|---|---|---|
| Usable load circuits | 2 | 1 |
| Maximum load current | 4 A per channel | 8 A combined |
| Connection | Separate outputs 1 and 2 | Outputs connected in parallel |
The 8 A rating applies to the documented parallel connection, not to either output on its own.
Parallel operation is a wiring and control configuration
For a single 8 A load, connect the two outputs in parallel as documented and command both together. Do not apply this EL2042-specific parallel rating to another EL terminal.
Separate station communication from field power
The terminal electronics use the E-bus; the 24 V DC actuator circuit uses the station power contacts. 3-wire describes the terminal connection arrangement, not an Ethernet cable or an external connector supplied with the terminal.
EL2042 terminal-point assignment
- Terminal 1
Output 1
- Terminal 2
+24 V
+24 V (internally connected to terminal point 6 and positive power contact)
- Terminal 3
0 V
Ground for output 1 (internally connected to terminal point 7 and negative power contact)
- Terminal 4
-
- Terminal 5
Output 2
- Terminal 6
+24 V
+24 V (internally connected to terminal point 2 and positive power contact)
- Terminal 7
0 V
Ground for output 2 (internally connected to terminal point 3 and negative power contact)
- Terminal 8
-
EL2042 terminals and output indicators
Original Beckhoff Information System terminal diagram. Match the numbered terminal points to the assignment table; load wiring differs between positive- and ground-switching models.
Actuator supply and return routing
Use the labeled supply and 0 V points in the exact terminal map. A physical position used for a supply or earth point on a two-channel terminal may be a signal point on a higher-density terminal.
Station power budget
- Current consumption E-bus
typ. 120 mA
- Current consumption power contacts
typ. 15 mA + load
- Current load power contacts
Imax: 10 A
- Electrical isolation
500 V (E-bus/field potential)
Power-contact capacity is not an output rating
The housing power contacts are rated to carry up to 10 A through the station segment. This does not increase a channel’s rated current or any model-specific total-current limit. Add the actuator loads and terminal consumption when dividing the station into protected power-feed segments.
EtherCAT process data
- Bit width in the process image
2 outputs
- Distributed clocks
–
- Configuration
no address or configuration setting
Channel LEDs show the commanded output state
The channel LEDs indicate output state. Electronic short-circuit protection does not add the controller-visible diagnostic process image of EL2014 or EL203x. Match the selected terminal’s process image in TwinCAT rather than treating the channel count as its complete interface.
An EtherCAT terminal, not a standalone network device
Install the EL terminal in a compatible EtherCAT terminal station behind its coupler or controller and scan/configure the terminal in TwinCAT. The terminal communicates through the E-bus side contacts; it does not have its own RJ45 Ethernet port. Provide a station end terminal and the required power feeds as part of the station assembly.
Set communication-loss behavior deliberately
The SyncManager watchdog monitors process-data communication. Configure the watchdog and output behavior for the machine before commissioning; disabling a watchdog to maintain outputs changes the communication-loss response. A standard EL digital-output terminal is not a TwinSAFE safety-output terminal.
EL housing and environment
- Dimensions (W x H x D)
12 mm x 100 mm x 68 mm
- Weight
approx. 55 g
- Installation
on 35 mm DIN rail, conforming to EN 60715 with lock
- Material
polycarbonate
- Operating temperature
-25…+60°C
- Storage temperature
-40…+85°C
- Relative humidity
95%, no condensation
- Protection
IP20; install in a suitable cabinet
EL conductor connection limits
| Parameter / condition | Solid wire | Stranded wire | Wire with ferrule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conductor cross-section | 0.08–2.5 mm² | 0.08–2.5 mm² | 0.14–1.5 mm² |
| AWG range | 28–14 | 28–14 | 26–16 |
| Stripping length | 8–9 mm | 8–9 mm | 8–9 mm |
Values are for the EL spring terminal, not the ES pluggable wiring level.
Join the terminal station with the power isolated
Mount on a 35 mm DIN rail, engage the side slot/key connection and the rail lock, and preserve the E-bus and power-contact alignment. The EL terminal has a fixed spring wiring level operated by a screwdriver; ES is the separate pluggable-wiring version. Disconnect power before installing, removing or rewiring station terminals.
Cabinet design includes terminal and actuator heating
Use the operating-temperature range with the documented mounting conditions and load current. IP20 provides no weatherproof field enclosure. Space, ventilation, power-feed protection and the complete station’s current budget remain installation decisions, not features supplied by one output terminal.
Downloads and documentation
Exact-model data and original Beckhoff station installation resources.
EL2042 specifications and downloadsProduct documentation · Exact MPN · EnglishManufacturer technical data, ordering information and download center.Open resourceEL2042 LEDs and terminal assignmentWiring diagram · Exact MPN · EnglishOriginal diagram and numbered terminal connections.Open resourceEL20xx / EL2124 digital-output documentationUser manual · Collection / system · EnglishInstallation, commissioning, diagnostics and watchdog configuration.Open resource
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