EtherCAT for drives

EtherCAT is a high-speed industrial Ethernet protocol built for real-time control. It enables ultra-fast data exchange and synchronization between drives and PLCs, making it ideal for applications with demanding timing precision and high axis count.

Real-time Ethernet master/slave fieldbus system

EtherCAT is a real-time Ethernet Master/Slave fieldbus system. The EtherCAT slave devices read the data addressed to them while the telegram passes through the device enabling fast real-time communication. The telegrams are only delayed by a few nanoseconds.

Our offering includes different EtherCAT fieldbus adapters depending on the drive type:

FECA-01 is compatible with ACS580, ACS480, ACS380, ACH580, ACH480, ACQ580, ACS355, ACSM1 and ACS880 drives

Benefits of Fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet solutions

A wide variety of fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet systems are available on the market and all major protocols are supported by ABB drives, giving you the required flexibility, compatibility and security. So, no matter what preference you may have for communication networks and automation systems, we offer the correct solution to satisfy the specifications.

Greater flexibility

ABB drives support all major fieldbuses and industrial Ethernet protocols. Because all ABB drives have the same look and feel, it is easy to switch between drive types. All ABB drives support a harmonized control profile – the ABB drive profile – so operators can use the same control logic with any supported protocol.

Easier operation

A single-wire transmission line is used for control, monitoring, commissioning, and troubleshooting of drives over a single Ethernet cable. A PLC can be used to control the drive using ABB Drive Composer Pro for monitoring and troubleshooting and to connect other devices such as a gateway, operation panel (HMI), or SCADA system.

Robust cyber-security

ABB has its own Device Security Assurance Center to improve product quality and robustness. We employ a wide range of testing techniques to uncover potential security vulnerabilities including testing reconnaissance, flooding/storm, and fuzzing test cases, as well as known vulnerability checks.

Reduced cost

The cost of installing and commissioning fieldbuses is less than that of conventional installations using remote I/Os because installation is faster and simpler, with fewer cables and wires. The ABB Drive Composer Pro software makes commissioning and troubleshooting even easier with full remote access to parameterization and diagnostics. With fieldbus you can use distributed control and benefit from cloud connectivity solutions.

Improved control system availability

ABB drives support media redundancy for cable failure protection and system redundancy for the control system. If the main controller fails, the backup will keep production running.

Seamless compatibility

The same fieldbus adapter is used for any all-compatible ABB LV and MV drives.