1 year warranty
Searching for a Beckhoff replacement part often turns up more than one plausible answer. Someone chasing down an EK1100 might land on a page for an EL1008 too, and without knowing how the two relate, it’s easy to order the wrong one, or both when only one was actually needed. The two parts look similar sitting side by side on a DIN rail, but they do fundamentally different jobs in an EtherCAT system.
This guide covers what the Beckhoff EK1100 and EL1008 actually do, how they fit together in a working system, and how to figure out which one your installation needs before placing an order.
What Is the Beckhoff EK1100?
The Beckhoff EK1100 is an EtherCAT coupler, the component that connects an EtherCAT network to an EtherCAT Terminal station. It sits at the head of a terminal station, converting the incoming Ethernet signal into the E-bus format that the terminals downstream use to communicate, and it also supplies E-bus power to those terminals.
A single EK1100 supports up to 65,534 EtherCAT Terminals in one overall system, with dual RJ45 ports that allow the network to continue on to the next station in a daisy chain. Without a coupler at the head of the station, none of the terminals connected to it can communicate with the rest of the EtherCAT network, regardless of whether the terminals themselves are functioning correctly.
What Is the Beckhoff EL1008?
The Beckhoff EL1008 is an EtherCAT Terminal, specifically an 8-channel digital input module built to accept 24 V DC signals. It’s one of many terminal types in Beckhoff’s I/O lineup, and its job is narrow and specific: reading the state of up to eight discrete digital inputs, such as switches, sensors, or push buttons, and passing that data back through the E-bus to the controller.
An EL1008 cannot communicate with an EtherCAT network on its own. It has to be mounted in a station that already has a coupler, such as an EK1100, at the head of the line.
Do You Need the EK1100, the EL1008, or Both?
Which component solves the actual problem depends on what’s failed or what’s being added to the system. If an entire terminal station has dropped off the network while the terminals themselves still appear physically intact, the coupler is the more likely point of failure, and an EK1100 replacement addresses that. If the rest of the station is communicating normally but a specific set of digital inputs has stopped registering, the issue points to the terminal handling those inputs rather than the coupler, and an EL1008 is the more targeted fix.
Building a new terminal station from scratch requires both an EK1100 or equivalent coupler to establish the connection to the network, plus whatever terminal types the application calls for, which may include one or more EL1008 modules if 24 V DC digital inputs are part of the design. PLC Direct’s broader selection of PLC I/O terminals covers additional terminal types beyond the EL1008 for stations that need a different input or output mix.
Sealed Surplus, Never Used Surplus, or Used/Refurbished: Which Condition Fits Your Application?
Both components are available in three condition grades. Sealed Surplus units come in the original, sealed box, though boxes may show shelf wear and manufacturing dates vary. Never Used Surplus units have not been used or refurbished and may or may not include original packaging. Used/Refurbished units have been inspected, tested, and restored to working condition, covering both previously used and refurbished hardware.
Never Used Surplus or Used/Refurbished can be a reasonable way to save on cost when packaging condition isn't a priority. Sealed Surplus keeps the unit in unopened factory packaging until it's installed, which fits well when factory-new appearance matters. The grade describes packaging and use history only, not functional reliability.
All Sealed Surplus, Never Used Surplus, and Used/Refurbished units purchased from PLC Direct carry a standard 1-year PLC Direct warranty. This warranty is issued by PLC Direct, an independent supplier, and is not an OEM or manufacturer warranty. PLC Direct supplies the EK1100, the EL1008, and other Beckhoff automation hardware for replacement and maintenance purposes and does not provide system design, programming, or integration services.
Two Parts, Two Different Jobs
An EK1100 and an EL1008 solve different problems even though they mount on the same DIN rail and connect to the same network, and getting the right one starts with identifying which role actually needs replacing. Contact PLC Direct to check current availability on Beckhoff EK1100 couplers and EL1008 terminals and get a quote for your application.
