Description
Engineered for direct integration into control cabinet walls or back panels of control housings, the Beckhoff C6525-0060 provides high-performance, fanless industrial computing within demanding automation architectures. This compact industrial PC utilizes an external passive heat sink configuration that dissipates thermal loads outside the control enclosure, allowing the unit to maintain optimal processor speeds without active fan maintenance. Equipped with a 3.5-inch Beckhoff motherboard and powered by an Intel Celeron G3900TE dual-core processor, this IPC is optimized for control tasks using TwinCAT automation software.
Key Features
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Dual-Compartment Thermal Management: External cooling fins isolate thermal dissipation to the exterior of the enclosure, protecting internal cabinet electronics.
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Industrial-Grade Build: IP65 protection rating on the external heat sink structure and IP20 protection on the internal chassis.
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Robust Storage Architecture: Features a dedicated 2.5-inch hard disk or SSD slot alongside a CFast slot for reliable operating system and project data separation.
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Rich Onboard Connectivity: Standard interface layout includes four USB 3.0 ports, a DVI graphic port, a serial RS232 interface, and dual independent Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Applications
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Control Cabinet Back-Panel Mounting: Space-saving installation where thermal loads must be exhausted directly outside the electrical enclosure.
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TwinCAT Control Nodes: Ideal processing platform for motion control, PLC, and visualization applications requiring real-time execution.
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Machine-Level HMI & SCADA: High-reliability computing node for human-machine interfaces operating in harsh industrial environments.
Technical Specifications
| Specification Parameter |
Value / Configuration |
| Manufacturer |
Beckhoff Automation |
| Model Number |
C6525-0060 |
| Processor Type |
Intel Celeron G3900TE, 2.3 GHz, 2 Cores |
| TwinCAT Performance Level |
TC2, TC3: 50 |
| Motherboard Format |
3.5-inch Industrial Motherboard |
| System Memory |
4 GB DDR4 RAM (Expandable up to 32 GB ex factory) |
| Standard Storage Media |
2.5-inch 320 GB Hard Disk Drive (SSD/CFast optional) |
| Storage Expansion Slots |
1 x 2.5-inch HDD/SSD slot, 1 x CFast slot |
| Power Supply |
24 V DC |
| Protection Rating (External) |
IP65 (Outside the control cabinet) |
| Protection Rating (Internal) |
IP20 (Inside the control cabinet) |
| Operating Temperature (External) |
0 to 45 degC |
| Operating Temperature (Internal) |
0 to 55 degC |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) |
330 x 275 x 82 mm (13 x 10.8 x 3.2 inches) |
| Basic Configuration Weight |
5.9 kg (13 lbs) |
| Shipping Weight (Calculated) |
7.0 kg (15.4 lbs) |
Connections and Interfaces
| Interface Type |
Quantity & Physical Assignment |
| Ethernet Ports |
2 x 100/1000BASE-T on-board RJ45 ports |
| USB Interfaces |
4 x USB 3.0 Type-A ports |
| Serial Interface |
1 x RS232 (D-sub 9-pin) |
| Display Output |
1 x DVI-D connector |
| Power Input |
1 x 3-pin 24 V DC power connection block |
Empirical Engineering Insights
Alternative Models & Compatibility
The C6525 series features highly modular motherboard configurations. While the base C6525-0060 is equipped with an Intel Celeron G3900TE processor (performance level 50), it can be customized or replaced with Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 options depending on the required TwinCAT real-time calculation power. Note that upgrading to higher-tier Core processors may increase the system's TwinCAT performance tier (from 50 up to 80), which requires a corresponding license update in your TwinCAT 3 runtime environment.
Application Pitfalls & Engineering Notes
Because the passive cooling structure of this unit mounts through the wall of the enclosure, a minimum clearance of 20 cm (7.9 inches) of free space is strictly required around the external heat sink structure. Obstructions or installation in confined external secondary housings will lead to heat accumulation and automatic thermal throttling of the CPU. Ensure that the cabinet sealing gasket is fully compressed during installation to maintain the IP65 seal between the cabinet interior (IP20) and exterior (IP65) environments.
Commissioning & Wiring Tips
When using the dual on-board Gigabit Ethernet adapters for control, it is recommended to dedicate one port exclusively for the EtherCAT real-time network (using the Beckhoff Real-Time Ethernet driver) and the second port for standard TCP/IP communication (such as HMI, SCADA, or corporate networks). Avoid routing high-voltage power lines adjacent to the 24 V DC input feed to prevent electromagnetic interference from inducing faults in the on-board SATA controllers.
Installation Guidelines
CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING
Isolate all 24 V DC power sources before starting the physical installation or cabling of the C6525-0060. High-voltage transients or hot-plugging electrical connections can permanently damage the on-board 3.5-inch motherboard components, CFast card interfaces, or connected peripheral devices. Ensure the cabinet cutout matches the unit's exact physical footprint before mounting.
1
Prepare a precise 330 mm x 275 mm cutout in the control cabinet back panel, ensuring the surrounding metal is clean, deburred, and flat.
2
Fit the industrial-grade sealing gasket around the mounting rim of the C6525 housing to secure the IP65 barrier between internal and external sections.
3
Insert the IPC from the inside of the cabinet, ensuring the heat sink protrudes fully to the outside, and secure all mounting clamps tightly.
4
Establish grounding connections to the chassis ground terminal and wire the nominal 24 V DC power input using high-quality copper conductors.