{"product_id":"el2258-beckhoff-8-channel-multi-timestamp-digital-output-terminal","title":"EL2258 BECKHOFF 8-Channel Multi-Timestamp Digital Output Terminal","description":"\u003ch3\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258 (EL 2258)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a high-performance 8-channel digital output terminal designed for ultra-precise synchronization and high-speed switching within an EtherCAT network. Operating at 24 V DC with a 0.5 A capacity per channel, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003estands out due to its multi-timestamping functionality and integrated Distributed Clocks (DC). This terminal is engineered for applications where standard cycle times are insufficient, such as high-speed sorting systems, laser control, and precision electronic assembly. By allowing multiple switching commands to be executed within a single communication cycle, the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eachieves temporal precision significantly below 1 microsecond, ensuring that output edges are placed exactly when required by the process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Configuration\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eutilizes a high-density (HD) housing to provide 8 channels in a slim 12 mm width using 2-wire connection technology. Its core strength lies in its \"Multi-Timestamp\" capability: it can store and execute up to 10 switching events per channel (depending on configuration) relative to the Distributed Clock. The output stage uses a push-type design, optimized for ohmic, inductive, and lamp loads with integrated short-circuit protection and reverse voltage protection. With internal execution times ranging from 10 to 40 microseconds, the terminal can detect and process between 100 and 25,000 edges per second. Electrical safety is maintained via 500 V isolation between the E-bus logic and the field potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"firstRow\"\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecification Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEL2258\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBECKHOFF\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGermany\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNumber of Outputs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVoltage \/ Current\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e24 V DC \/ 0.5 A per channel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnection Technology\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2-wire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMulti-timestamp Factor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 to 10 (integer multiple of cycle time)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDC Precision\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026lt; 1 microsecond\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSwitching Times\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTyp. TON \u0026lt; 1 µs \/ TOFF \u0026lt; 1 µs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOutput Stage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePush\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBreaking Energy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u0026lt; 150 mJ per channel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCurrent Consumption\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTyp. 130 mA (E-bus)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHousing Form\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHD (High Density) with signal LEDs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions (W x H x D)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e12 mm x 100 mm x 68 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e55 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShipping Weight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2.0 kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical FAQs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat exactly is \"Multi-Timestamping\" and how does it differ from standard outputs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStandard digital outputs update once per PLC cycle. Multi-timestamping allows the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto receive a buffer of multiple timestamps from the controller. The terminal then autonomously switches the output at those exact times, independent of when the next EtherCAT telegram arrives. This allows for switching frequencies much higher than the fieldbus cycle frequency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this terminal support Distributed Clocks (DC)?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, Distributed Clocks are essential for the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258\u003c\/strong\u003e. They synchronize the local clocks of all EtherCAT devices to a common reference time. This synchronization is what allows the terminal to execute its timestamped commands with a precision far better than 1 microsecond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use the EL2258 for inductive loads?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis rated for inductive loads with a maximum breaking energy of 150 mJ per channel. However, for very large inductive loads or high-frequency switching of solenoids, it is always recommended to verify the energy dissipation to prevent premature wear of the output stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEngineering \u0026amp; Installation Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWiring in HD (High Density) Housings:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003euses the HD terminal design, which features 16 connection points in a 12 mm housing. Due to the compact nature, ensure you are using the correct wire cross-sections: solid conductors up to 1.5 mm² or flexible conductors with ferrules up to 0.75 mm². Use a small screwdriver to actuate the spring terminals. The 2-wire technology means both the signal and the associated ground\/reference can be terminated directly on the module for some configurations, simplifying cabinet wiring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwinCAT Configuration and Auto-Activation:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen integrating the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003einto TwinCAT, ensure the \"DC\" (Distributed Clock) tab is configured for \"DC-Synchronous\" mode. The \"Auto-activation\" feature helps the terminal automatically start the output sequence as soon as the first valid timestamp is received. You will need to map the 9-byte timestamp process image to your PLC variables to take full advantage of the precision timing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThermal Considerations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the terminal is rated for 0.5 A per channel, a fully loaded module (8 x 0.5 A = 4 A total field current) generates internal heat. Ensure the installation environment maintains 95% non-condensing humidity and an ambient temperature below 55°C. If mounting multiple\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEL2258\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eunits side-by-side in a small enclosure with high-frequency switching, consider adding a fan or spacing modules to prevent thermal derating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BECKHOFF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53106645369195,"sku":"EL2258","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/3227\/0443\/files\/el2258-0inbmzmmywv.png?v=1776244398","url":"https:\/\/www.plcprotech.com\/products\/el2258-beckhoff-8-channel-multi-timestamp-digital-output-terminal","provider":"PLC ProTech Ltd.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}