How To Zone Output Power with IO-Link

One of the requests we often run into here at Murrelektronik is how to zone or separately control the output power of a valve bank using IO-Link. This type of power separation is usually needed when a valve bank is required to be controlled by the outputs of a safety relay or safety controller.

For example, a valve bank with an IO-Link Class B interface usually requires more power than can be provided by Pins 1 (24V) and 3 (0V) of the IO-Link master port, so additional power is supplied via Pin 2 (24V) and Pin 5 (0V).

The IO-Link valve bank interface will then use the additional 24V supplied via pins 2 and 5 to energize the valve solenoids independently from the standard IO-Link power (pins 1 and 3). Most IO-Link Class B devices provide this type of power separation, but it can get a little messy trying to wire up two separate power sources to an M12 field connector.

With this type of application becoming more common, Murrelektronik designed a special T-coupler that makes it very easy to connect separate power sources to an IO-Link Class B device. Below is a diagram showing our IO-Link T-coupler (Part # 7000-42771-0000000) used to connect standard IO-Link power and actuator power (supplied by a safety module or safety relay) without using a field connector. The standard IO-Link power and communication are connected to the left side of the T-coupler, and the safety-controlled outputs are connected to the right side of the T-coupler.

In this example, the output power of the four ports on the right side of the IO-Link hub (red) is independently controlled by the safety module/relay outputs. The input ports on the left side (blue) are galvanically separated so they can remain powered when the safety outputs are turned off.

Here is a closer look at the internal connections in the Murrelektronik 7000-42771-0000000 T-Coupler

You can learn more about our 7000-42771-0000000 T-Coupler here and other IO-Link solutions offered by Murrelektronik here. Or, get in touch with your local Murrelektronik representative.