Installation
Electrical installation
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Lenze · E84AYCEC communication module (POWERLINK) · EDS84AYCEC EN 4.0 - 02/2019
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5.2.3
Ethernet POWERLINK
In order to use the real-time capability of the POWERLINK technology, POWERLINK nodes must be
interconnected in a separate network segment.
In accordance with the EPL rules, only the managing node controls the network access of EPL nodes.
The managing node is the only node that transmits autonomously. The slave nodes (i.e. all cont-
rolled nodes) only transmit when they are entitled to transmit by the managing node.
Non-EPL nodes (e.g. PCs) typically violate these rules by sending frames independently of the mana-
ging node. These frames interfere with the cyclic frame exchange of the EPL nodes and impede the
real-time capability of POWERLINK.
Connection to the standard Ethernet network
The connection to an external standard Ethernet network is carried out via an POWERLINK router or
an POWERLINK gateway.
These infrastructure components separate the network traffic in the POWERLINK network segment
from the one in the standard Ethernet. The handling of the frames depend on their direction:
• Standard Ethernet ---> EPL network segment:
Only frames that are addressed to nodes in the EPL network segment are forwarded. The for-
warding takes place in the asynchronous area of the EPL cycle.
• EPL network segment ---> standard Ethernet:
Only asynchronous frames that are not addressed to nodes in the EPL network segment are for-
warded.
Tip!
Detailed information on the function and setting of the router or gateway can be found in
the documentation of the component manufacturer.
Note!
Standard Ethernet nodes are not permitted in the POWERLINK network segment.
