Description
Designed for space-saving control cabinet integration, the Beckhoff C6515-0050 delivers industrial-grade processing power with a completely fanless passive cooling design. By utilizing an external heat sink structure that projects through the wall of a control cabinet or control housing, this built-in Industrial PC isolates internal electronic components from ambient environmental factors while ensuring efficient thermal dissipation. The unit features an Intel Celeron 2000E dual-core processor, a highly expandable motherboard design, dual-slot CFast media slots, and high IP-rated sealing, making it ideal for heavy-duty automation and control architectures.
Features
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Passive Cooling Design: Uses an external heat sink structure to dissipate heat outside the control cabinet without internal fans.
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Dual-Slot CFast Interface: Built-in dual slots for CFast cards, allowing direct boot media and secondary storage configuration.
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Dual-Protection Classing: Rated IP65 on the external heat sink side and IP20 on the internal cabinet side.
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Serviceability: Front-accessible CFast cards and system clock lithium battery for rapid maintenance field swaps.
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On-Board RAID Support: Integrated SATA RAID 1 controller with Intel Rapid Storage Technology for continuous data redundancy.
Applications
- Control cabinet back-panel mounting in automated production environments.
- Industrial HMI and main machine control systems with space-constrained mounting depth.
- Harsh environments subject to airborne particulate matter where internal ventilation is prohibited.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Manufacturer |
Beckhoff |
| Model/Article Number |
C6515-0050 |
| Processor |
Intel Celeron 2000E (2.2 GHz, 2 Cores) |
| TwinCAT 3 Performance Class |
TC3: 50 (Mid-range) |
| Motherboard |
3.5-inch motherboard (4th Generation Intel Core platform) |
| System Memory |
2 GB DDR3L RAM (expandable to 16 GB) |
| Storage Interface |
2x CFast slots (4 GB CFast card included) |
| Ethernet Controller |
On-board dual Gigabit Ethernet (2x 100/1000BASE-T) |
| Power Supply Input |
24 V DC |
| Sealing Protection |
IP65 (outside/heat sink), IP20 (inside/cabinet) |
| Operating Temperature Range |
Outside: 0 to 45 degC, Inside: 0 to 55 degC |
| Physical Dimensions (W x H x D) |
240 x 230 x 81 mm (9.5 x 9.1 x 3.2 inches) |
| Weight (Basic Configuration) |
3.0 kg (6.61 lbs) |
| Shipping Weight (Calculated) |
4.0 kg (8.82 lbs) |
Connections and Interfaces
| Port / Interface Type |
Description / Terminal Function |
| LAN1 / LAN2 |
RJ45 ports for dual independent Gigabit Ethernet connections |
| DVI Connection |
1x DVI-D display interface for direct connection to control panel |
| USB Ports |
2x USB 3.0 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports |
| Serial Port |
1x RS232 standard serial COM interface |
| Power Input |
3-pin 24 V DC power supply connection terminal block |
Empirical Engineering Insights
Alternative Models & Compatibility
The C6515-0050 features a 4th Gen Intel Celeron CPU which maps to TwinCAT 3 performance class TC3: 50. If you are replacing an older C6515-0010 or C6515-0020, verify your TwinCAT licensing; upgrades from performance class 30 or 40 runtime systems may require core license migration. Always back up the existing TwinCAT system files and the local NOVRAM storage image prior to replacement.
Application Pitfalls & Engineering Notes
Because this is a completely fanless unit relying on convection cooling via its external heat sink, proper cabinet mounting is critical. Inadequate thermal dissipation on the heat sink side will lead to thermal throttling under high CPU utilization. Ensure that the external enclosure provides sufficient heat dissipation surface or ventilation to keep the heat sink environment below 45 degC.
Commissioning & Wiring Tips
Do not hot-swap CFast cards while the industrial PC is energized, as this can corrupt the file allocation tables or cause an unexpected OS blue screen. For optimal noise rejection in environments with heavy electromagnetic interference (such as those containing variable frequency drives), the functional earth (FE) wire must be terminated securely to the chassis ground screw using a low-impedance copper strap.
Installation Guidelines
CRITICAL WARNING: RISK OF DAMAGE AND ELECTRICAL SHOCK
De-energize the entire control cabinet before initiating physical installation. The external heat sink can reach high temperatures during active operation. Ensure that the main supply circuit is fully isolated and the unit has cooled down completely before performing any wiring or system maintenance.
1
Prepare the mounting cutout in the control cabinet wall according to the system physical dimensions (240 x 230 mm), checking for sharp burrs.
2
Ensure the mounting seal gasket is correctly positioned around the mounting flange to maintain IP65 rating against dust and liquid ingress.
3
Position the IPC through the cutout, ensuring the external heat sink has a minimum of 20 cm clearance on all sides to allow free air circulation.
4
Securely fasten the mounting brackets from the inside of the control cabinet, tightening screws evenly to ensure uniform seal compression.
5
Connect the functional ground conductor to the grounding bolt first, and only then proceed with termination of the 24 V DC power supply lines.