In most procurement cycles, EL5151 is considered with Beckhoff El9410, El9550 Beckhoff and Beckhoff El2809, giving decision-makers confidence that they’ve chosen the most dependable component.
EL5151 - Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminal
Beckhoff EL5151 Position Measurement & Communication is a compact EtherCAT Terminal designed for incremental encoder interfaces, enabling accurate motion control in automation.
| Brand | Beckhoff |
| Product Type | EtherCAT Terminal |
| Product | EL5151 |
EL5151 Beckhoff EtherCAT Terminal Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Technology | incremental encoder interface, HTL 24 V DC |
| Number of channels | 1 |
| Encoder connection | 1 x A, B, C: 24 V DC, single-ended connection, EN 61131-2, type 1, â0â: < 5Â VÂ DC, â1â: > 15Â VÂ DC, typ. 5Â mA |
| Encoder operating voltage | 24 V DC (-15%/+20%), (generated from the 24Â V DC power contacts) |
| Distributed clocks | yes |
| Current consumption power contacts | typ. 100 mA + load |
| Current consumption E-bus | typ. 130 mA |
| Special features | gate or latch function, microincrements, timestamping of edges, period duration and frequency measurement, up/down counters |
| Weight | approx. 50 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 |
| Pluggable wiring | for all ESxxxx terminals |
| Approvals/markings | CE, CCC, UL, ATEX, IECEx |
| Ex marking | ATEX:II 3 G Ex ec IIC T4 GcIECEx:Ex ec IIC T4 Gc |
| Housing - Design form | compact terminal housing with signal LEDs |
| Housing - Material | polycarbonate |
| Housing - Dimensions (W x H x D) | 12Â 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 conductor (s), flexible conductor (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 |
| Resolution | 1/256 bit microincrements |
| Counter | 1 x 16/32 bit switchable |
| Nominal voltage | 24 V DC (-15%/+20%) |
| Additional inputs | latch/gate input, 24Â VÂ DC |
| Limit frequency | 400,000 increments/s (with 4-fold evaluation), corresponding to 100 kHz |
| Quadrature decoder | 4-fold evaluation |
The Beckhoff EL5151 EtherCAT Terminal is a dedicated module for position measurement and communication that integrates a single-channel incremental encoder interface with HTL 24 V DC signals. Supporting A, B, and C connections in compliance with EN 61131-2 standards, it delivers accurate position tracking and high-speed signal evaluation. With a maximum frequency of 400,000 increments per second under 4-fold evaluation and a configurable 16/32-bit counter, the EL5151 provides reliable performance in motion-intensive applications. Advanced features such as latch and gate inputs, timestamping of signal edges, microincrements, and period/frequency measurement ensure precise monitoring for machine and process control tasks.
For industrial environments, the EL5151 Position Measurement & Communication Terminal operates on a 24 V DC supply, consuming 130 mA from the E-bus and 100 mA plus load from power contacts. Its 500 V electrical isolation safeguards between E-bus and field potential, ensuring system stability. Built in a compact polycarbonate housing (12 × 100 × 68 mm) with HD form factor, it mounts on standard DIN rails and includes signal LEDs for intuitive diagnostics. The terminal complies with EN 61000-6-2/6-4 EMC standards, withstands vibration and shock per EN 60068, and carries international certifications including CE, CCC, UL, ATEX, and IECEx, making it suitable for global deployment.
In practice, the Beckhoff EL5151 EtherCAT Terminal is trusted in packaging systems, CNC machinery, robotics, and process automation where precise incremental encoder feedback is essential. Maintenance engineers benefit from its diagnostic-friendly design and robust wiring options, while senior automation experts appreciate its seamless scalability within EtherCAT networks. For engineering students and trainees, it provides an accessible platform to understand encoder-based motion control, quadrature decoding, and distributed synchronization. Compact, reliable, and certified for industrial use, the Beckhoff EL5151 enhances productivity and accuracy across modern automation systems.
Related Products
