Many procurement teams check EL3218 against Beckhoff El9410, El9550 Beckhoff and Beckhoff El2809 before signing purchase orders, verifying quality, compliance, and after-sales support availability.
EL3218 - Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminal Analog Input
Technical Specifications of Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminal Analog Input EL3218:

| Brand | Beckhoff |
| Product Type | EtherCAT Terminal Analog Input |
| Product | EL3218 |
EL3218 Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminal Analog Input Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of inputs | 8 |
| Input filter limit frequency | typ. 1 kHz |
| Measurement error/uncertainty 2 | <±0.5°C for Pt sensors, 8 x 3-wire connection |
| Housing - Design form | HD (High Density) housing with signal LEDs |
| Housing - Material | polycarbonate |
| Housing - Dimensions (W x H x D) | 24Â mm x 100Â mm x 68 mm |
| Housing - Installation | on 35 mm DIN rail, conforming to EN 60715 with lock |
| Housing - Side by side mounting by means of | double slot and key connection |
| Housing - Marking | labeling of the BZxxxx series |
| Housing - Wiring | solid conductors (s): direct plug-in technique; fine-stranded conductors (st) and ferrule (f): spring actuation by screwdriver |
| Housing - Connection cross-section | s*: 0.08..2.5 mm²,st*: 0.08...2.5 mm²,f*: 0.14..1.5 mm² |
| Housing - Connection cross-section AWG | s*: AWG28..14,st*: AWG28..14,f*: AWG26...16 |
| Housing - Stripping length | 8…9 mm |
| Housing - Current load power contacts | Imax: 10 A |
| Power supply | via the E-bus |
| Conversion time | approx. 170 ms default setting |
| Electrical isolation | 500 V (E-bus/signal voltage) |
| Current consumption E-bus | typ. 120 mA |
| Special features | integrated digital filter, limit value monitoring, variable connection technology |
| Weight | approx. 60 g |
| Operating temperature | -25…+60°C |
| Storage temperature | -40…+85°C |
| Relative humidity | 95%, no condensation |
| Vibration/shock resistance | conforms to EN 60068-2-6/EN 60068-2-27 |
| EMC immunity/emission | conforms to EN 61000-6-2/EN 61000-6-4 |
| Protect. rating/installation pos. | IP20/variable |
| Approvals/markings | CE, UL |
| Sensor types | Pt100, Pt200, Pt500, Pt1000, Ni100, Ni120, Ni1000, resistance measurement (e.g. potentiometer, 10 Ωâ¦1/4 kΩ), KTY sensors (types see documentation) |
| Connection method | 2- or 3-wire (default: 3-wire) |
| Measuring current | < 0.5 mA (load-dependent) |
| Temperature range | -200â¦+850°C (Pt sensors); -60â¦+250°C (Ni sensors) |
| Measuring range | -200â¦+850°C (Pt sensors); -60â¦+250°C (Ni sensors) |
The Beckhoff EL3218 EtherCAT Terminal Analog Input is built with 8 input channels supporting 2- or 3-wire sensor connections, optimized for Pt100, Pt200, Pt500, Pt1000, Ni100, Ni120, Ni1000, KTY, and resistance measurement sensors. It features a conversion time of 170 ms with an integrated digital filter and limit value monitoring, ensuring stable and accurate signal processing. With a typical input filter frequency of 1 kHz and a measurement error of less than ±0.5°C for Pt sensors, it delivers precision across a wide temperature range of -200…+850°C. Electrical isolation of 500 V between the E-bus and signal voltage provides robust protection, while its HD polycarbonate housing (24 × 100 × 68 mm) with signal LEDs simplifies diagnostics. Current consumption is low at 120 mA on the E-bus, making it efficient for dense installations in control cabinets.
Reliability is a key strength of this EtherCAT Analog Input Terminal. It conforms to EMC standards EN 61000-6-2/6-4 and meets vibration and shock resistance per EN 60068, ensuring stability in harsh industrial environments. Its design supports DIN rail mounting with plug-in wiring for fast installation, while IP20 protection ensures safe integration into industrial panels. Operating in temperatures from -25°C to +60°C, the EL3218 performs consistently across diverse conditions. CE and UL certifications further guarantee compliance with international safety requirements.
Applications of the EL3218 EtherCAT Terminal Analog Input include precise temperature monitoring in process automation, resistance measurement in testing stations, and multi-channel sensing in HVAC and energy management systems. Maintenance engineers value its built-in diagnostics and compact housing that allow space savings, while system integrators benefit from its scalability within Beckhoff’s EtherCAT ecosystem. For students and junior engineers, it provides a practical introduction to industrial measurement technology, linking theoretical knowledge with hands-on applications. Backed by Beckhoff engineering quality, the EL3218 is trusted worldwide for accurate measurement, reliable integration, and long-term performance in demanding automation projects.







