Fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet

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Coordinate bus variant

The measured value is only half the task — it must also reach the controller. This page shows which interfaces our measurement electronics use to communicate, which device supports which fieldbus, and how to base your selection.

Analog, serial, or fieldbus — three paths, one goal

Analog (4…20 mA or 0…10 V) is the shortest path to a PLC input card. One value, one line, no protocol. In exchange, accuracy is lost along the way, there is no diagnostics, and every additional value requires an additional input.

Serial via RS485 or RS232 with Modbus RTU is the standard configuration for nearly all our devices. The weight value arrives digitally, along with status, setpoints, and configuration — without an additional module.

Fieldbus and Industrial Ethernet integrate the device as a node in the plant control system: cyclic data exchange, addressing via the control system project configuration, and diagnostics in the engineering tool. This is the way to go if the plant is already running via PROFINET, EtherCAT, or EtherNet/IP.

Which device supports which bus

The following information is taken from the data sheets of the respective devices.

Ex works with fieldbus

  • ETLH Weighing Transmitter L-TLB4 — four independent load cell channels on DIN rail. Fieldbuses: RS485, CANopen, CC-Link, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT. Additionally, a 16-bit analog output and Modbus RTU.
  • EMLC Strain Gauge Amplifier LCB — the widest selection in the range. Selectable options are RS485, RS485 with analog output, IO-Link, CANopen, CC-Link, CC-Link IE, PROFIBUS DP, Modbus/TCP, Ethernet TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET IO, EtherCAT, POWERLINK, and SERCOS III. The device is housed in an IP67 stainless steel enclosure directly at the load cell, converting an analog cell into a digital one.

Fieldbus as a module on request

  • EILB Weighing Indicator L-W200 — standard RS485/RS232 with Modbus RTU and ASCII. PROFIBUS DP, DeviceNet, CANopen, PROFINET IO, Modbus/TCP, and EtherNet/IP available on request; Ethernet TCP/IP also available for remote operation via browser.
  • EILC Weighing Indicator (L-W200BOX) — RS485 and RS232 with Modbus RTU, plus fieldbus and Ethernet modules on request, such as CANopen, PROFIBUS DP, or Modbus/TCP with integrated web app. IP67 housing for wall mounting.
  • EILD Weighing Indicator L-W200BOXEC — the same serial basis, controls in the lid, fieldbus and Ethernet modules on request.
  • ETLB Junction Box CLM8 — eight individually monitored load cell channels, RS485/RS232 with Modbus RTU, Ethernet TCP/IP on request.

Serial and analog

  • ETLF Weighing Transmitter TLS — 16-bit analog output in current or voltage and RS485 with Modbus RTU. Available in IP67 box and as ATEX II 3GD version for zones 2–22 on request.
  • ETLG Weighing Transmitter L-TLB — one load cell input, RS485 with Modbus RTU or ASCII, analog output in current or voltage, three relay outputs.

Safety-oriented via bus

  • ESMD Safety Controller (SCU-DR) — the only point in the range where the safety function itself runs via the bus: version /P with PROFIsafe via PROFINET, version /F with FSoE via EtherCAT, each up to SIL3 and PL e.

IO-Link: the path for the last few meters

IO-Link is not a fieldbus, but a point-to-point connection between the device and the master — and the master then hangs on the plant's fieldbus. For individual sensors, this is often the more cost-effective route because neither a bus address nor shielded cable is required, and the master automatically writes back its settings when a device is replaced.

Our range includes IO-Link strain gauge amplifiers and load cells with built-in IO-Link. Detailed info: How does IO-Link work?

How to base your selection

  • What does the controller speak? If the plant runs on PROFINET, ETLH, EMLC, and — for safety functions — the ESMD are options. The same applies to EtherCAT for ETLH and EMLC.
  • How many values? A single weight value rarely justifies a fieldbus module; as soon as setpoints, recipes, or diagnostics for individual cells are added, it becomes worthwhile.
  • Where is the device located? In the control cabinet, a DIN rail is sufficient. Directly at the machine, you need a housing with an ingress protection rating — EILC in IP67, EILD in IP64, the EMLC in IP67 stainless steel.
  • Is there a safety function involved? Then the path leads via PROFIsafe or FSoE; more at Functional safety according to SIL and PL.

A note on ordering

For most devices, the bus variant is determined at the time of order and cannot be easily changed later — the module is installed inside the device. Please let us know which controller it will be connected to. If you are unsure, the make and model of the PLC are sufficient; we will clarify the rest.

None of the standard devices fit?

Then tell us what is required: number of load cells, cycle time, bus, environment, and whether legal-for-trade or safety-related requirements are involved. We will check which combination works — and, if necessary, develop the electronics ourselves; see Electronics development.