ELM72xx Series from Beckhoff Offers Compact Drive Technology in Robust Metal Housings

December 1, 2020

The new ELM72xx EtherCAT Terminals are fully functional servo drives in robust metal housings that deliver an output current (Irms) of up to 16 A at 48 V DC for the power supply. They expand the Beckhoff portfolio of compact drive technology in I/O terminal format and offer all of the current technology features together with increased performance and functionality compared with comparable EL series I/O designs.

The ELM72xx modules’ metal housings provide optimum heat dissipation even at high output power as well as optimal shielding against electrical interference. The new servo terminals can connect directly to other EtherCAT Terminals as an integrated component of the Beckhoff I/O system. The comprehensive functionality includes the direct connection of the motor, feedback and brake via the convenient connector front end, an integrated absolute value interface and One Cable Technology (OCT).

Additional I/Os enable latching of position values. In addition, the integrated brake chopper control permits direct connection of braking resistors. The system also integrates programmable TwinSAFE Logic for direct implementation of the safety application in the terminal and safe drive technology either as STO/SS1 via Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) or as a comprehensive package of Safe Motion functions for safety-relevant drive technology via TwinSAFE.

Five different ELM72xx models equipped with either STO/SS1 or Safe Motion are currently available:

  •    –   ELM7211: 1-channel servo terminal with 4.5 A (Irms)
  •    –   ELM7212: 2-channel servo terminal with 2 x 4.5 A (Irms)
  •    –   ELM7221: 1-channel servo terminal with 8 A (Irms)
  •    –   ELM7222: 2-channel servo terminal with 2 x 8 A (Irms)
  •    –   ELM7231: 1-channel servo terminal with 16 A (Irms)

In contrast to the established EL series I/O terminals, the ELM72xx wiring level utilizes a pluggable design. Matching motor and sensor cables further simplify installation. The drive design – ELM72xx combined with AM8100 Servomotors – is implemented using the familiar TwinCAT 3 Motion Designer software (TE5910). The electronic nameplate and the TwinCAT 3 Drive Manager 2 software (TE5950) ensure efficient commissioning.

For more information, visit www.beckhoffautomation.com.

Related Articles



Editor’s Pick: Featured Article

Weidmüller’s u-control 2000: The Automation Controller

Weidmüller’s u-control 2000: The Automation Controller

Weidmüller’s scalable engineering software, u-control 2000, adapts individually to your requirements. And, the u-control is powerful, compact and fully compatible with Weidmüller’s I/O system u-remote. This article looks at what makes u-control the heart of your automation.

Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are one of the main components of any automated system. A typical control system has inputs, outputs, controllers (i.e., PLCs), and some type of human interaction with the system, a human machine interface (HMI), for example.

Read More



Latest Articles

  • Mobile Robot Safe Drives Market to Reach $7.9 Billion by 2033

    December 3, 2025 Market Summary: According to Research intelo,The Global Mobile Robot Safe Drives market size was valued at $2.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $7.9 billion by 2033, expanding at a robust CAGR of 15.2% during the forecast period of 2025–2033. The primary growth driver for the Mobile Robot Safe Drives market globally is the increasing… Read More…

  • Protect Your Production with Festo’s Interchangeable Pneumatic Cylinders 

    December 1, 2025 By Krystie Johnston Pneumatic cylinders are the workhorses of industrial automation. They convert compressed air into linear motion, enabling tasks like clamping, gripping, holding, lifting, pushing, and pulling – tasks inherent to production lines and robotics. When these components go down, it can cause significant impacts on production. Avoid these negative consequences… Read More…