The Safety over EtherCAT protocol was originally developed for the Beckhoff TwinSAFE product line. The protocol error probability meets SIL4 requirements according to IEC61508, product implementations are typically according to SIL3. In August 2005, Beckhoff decided to make this safety protocol – which itself is fieldbus independent – available for EtherCAT and other bus systems. TÜV certified products using this technology on the basis of EtherCAT are available and have been deployed in the field since the end of 2005. Since EtherCAT can provide much larger process data sizes than most fieldbus systems, a protocol enhancement has also been specified. This enhancement has been TÜV approved in April (full final safety report, not just concept approval), allowing for a scalable process data size on EtherCAT safety devices. Safety controls, I/O and drives do not necessarily need this enhancement, but now have the possibility to communicate safely, e.g. enhanced analog values instead of digital commands and values.

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