Twinsafe; The I/O Construction Kit Is Extended Safely; Safety Concept - Beckhoff TwinSAFE EL2912 Operating Instructions Manual

2.2

TwinSAFE

2.2.1

The I/O construction kit is extended safely

The integrated TwinSAFE safety solution is the logical continuation of the open, PC-based Beckhoff control
philosophy. Due to their modularity and versatility, the TwinSAFE components fit seamlessly into the
Beckhoff control system. The I/O components are available in the formats Bus Terminal, EtherCAT Terminal,
EtherCAT plug-in module and EtherCAT Box.
Thanks to the fieldbus-neutral safety protocol (TwinSAFE/Safety-over-EtherCAT), TwinSAFE devices can be
integrated into any fieldbus system. They are integrated into existing networks with K-bus or EtherCAT and
can be used directly in the machine as IP 67 modules. These safety I/Os form the interfaces to the safety-
relevant sensors and actuators.
The possibility to transmit the safety-relevant signals over a standard bus system gives rise to substantial
advantages in terms of planning, installation, operation, maintenance, diagnostics and costs.
The safety application is configured or programmed respectively in the TwinCAT software. This application is
then transferred via the bus to a TwinSAFE logic component. These form the heart of the TwinSAFE system.
All safety devices in the system communicate with this logic component. Due to the enormous flexibility of
the system, several TwinSAFE logic components can also be operated simultaneously in a network.
2.2.2

Safety concept

TwinSAFE: Safety and I/O technology in one system
• Extension of the familiar Beckhoff I/O system with TwinSAFE Terminals
• Freely selectable mix of safe and standard signals
• Logic link of the I/Os in the TwinSAFE logic component, e.g. EL6910
• Safety-relevant networking of machines via bus systems
TwinSAFE protocol (FSoE / Safety-over-EtherCAT)
• Transfer of safety-relevant data via any media ("genuine black channel")
• TwinSAFE communication via fieldbus systems such as EtherCAT, Lightbus, PROFIBUS or Ethernet
• IEC 61508:2010 SIL 3 compliant
TwinCAT software and TwinSAFE editor
• Safety application is configured or programmed in the TwinCAT software
• Certified function blocks such as emergency stop, operation mode, etc.
• simple handling
• Transfer of the application via the bus to the TwinSAFE logic component
TwinSAFE logic component, e.g. EL6910
• Processing of the safety-related application and communication with the TwinSAFE terminals
• No safety requirements for higher-level control system
• TwinSAFE enables a network with up to 65,535 TwinSAFE components.
• TwinSAFE logic component can establish up to 512 connections (TwinSAFE connections).
• Several TwinSAFE logic components can be operated in a network
• Suitable for applications up to SIL 3 according to IEC 61508:2010 and category 4 / PL e according to
EN ISO 13849-1:2015.
EL2912 Version: 1.0.0
System description
11