USER MANUAL 1.2 | B-NIMIS MC-PI AND BC-PI SERIES
Berghof Automation GmbH | Arbachtalstrasse 26 | 72800 Eningen | Germany | www.berghof-automation.com
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6.3.4. EtherCAT
The B-Nimis MC-Pi & BC-Pi PLC controller can be extended with a system of EtherCAT I/O mod-
ules (MC series or E-I/O). The MC-I/O modules, which are lined up laterally to the right, are de-
signed for the connection of a wide range of process signals (see Ether-CAT I/O manual).
The MC-Pi & BC-Pi simultaneously assume the function of the PLC control and that of an Ether-
CAT bus coupler. Therefore, the EtherCAT communication signals are already converted inter-
nally to the LVDS (E-bus) transmission physics. As EtherCAT master, the MC-Pi & BC-Pi send
EtherCAT telegrams for writing the output data and for reading the input data. The Ethernet Ether-
CAT protocol is maintained right down to the last individual I/O module. At the end of the modular
device, the connection of the outward and return lines is closed automatically.
Furthermore, the system voltage of the connected I/O modules is generated in the MC-Pi & BC-
Pi. Although this simplifies the connection of the I/O modules, it must be taken into account with
regard to the maximum number of connectable I/O modules.
Additional EtherCAT slaves can be connected to the MC-Pi & BC-Pi with an extender module.
NOTICE
The number of connectable EtherCAT I/O modules is limited!
Each EtherCAT I/O module generates an “E-bus load”. This refers to the current load required
to supply the internal device electronics. The MC-Pi & BC-Pi provides a current of up to 2 A for
this purpose. This means that one MC-Pi & BC-Pi can supply up to a maximum of 10 I/O mod-
ules.
LED status indicators
The EtherCAT LEDs indicates the status of the EtherCAT ASICs.
EtherCAT
State
LED, flash code
Meaning
Init
Red, continuous
light
Initialisation, no data exchange
Pre-Op
Red/green, 1:1
Pre-operational status, no data exchange
Safe-Op
Red/green, 3:1
Safe operational status, inputs can be read
Op
Green, continu-
ous light
Operational status, full data exchange
