Firmware Compatibility; Firmware Update El/Es/Em/Elm/Epxxxx - Beckhoff EL47 Series Documentation

Appendix
6.3

Firmware compatibility

Beckhoff EtherCAT devices are delivered with the latest available firmware version. Compatibility of firmware
and hardware is mandatory; not every combination ensures compatibility. The overview below shows the
hardware versions on which a firmware can be operated.
Note
• It is recommended to use the newest possible firmware for the respective hardware.
• Beckhoff is not under any obligation to provide customers with free firmware updates for delivered
products.
Risk of damage to the device!
Pay attention to the instructions for firmware updates on the separate page [} 160]. If a device is placed in
BOOTSTRAP mode for a firmware update, it does not check when downloading whether the new firmware
is suitable. This can result in damage to the device! Therefore, always make sure that the firmware is suit-
able for the hardware version!
EL4712
Hardware (HW)
00 - 02
03 - 08*
EL4732
Hardware (HW)
00 - 01
02 - 04
05 - 11*
*) This is the current compatible firmware/hardware version at the time of the preparing this documentation.
Check on the Beckhoff web page whether more up-to-date documentation is available.
6.4

Firmware Update EL/ES/EM/ELM/EPxxxx

This section describes the device update for Beckhoff EtherCAT slaves from the EL/ES, ELM, EM, EK and
EP series. A firmware update should only be carried out after consultation with Beckhoff support.
Storage locations
An EtherCAT slave stores operating data in up to 3 locations:
• Depending on functionality and performance EtherCAT slaves have one or several local controllers for
processing I/O data. The corresponding program is the so-called firmware in *.efw format.
• In some EtherCAT slaves the EtherCAT communication may also be integrated in these controllers. In
this case the controller is usually a so-called FPGA chip with *.rbf firmware.
160
Firmware (FW)
07
08
10*
11
12*
Firmware (FW)
02
03
04
05
07
08
10
11
12*
NOTE
Revision no.
EL4712-0000-0000
EL4712-0000-0001
Revision no.
EL4732-0000-0000
EL4732-0000-0003
EL4732-0000-0004
Version: 2.7
Release date
2010/10
2011/01
2011/02
2012/12
2013/10
Release date
2008/03
2008/05
2008/07
2010/03
2010/10
2011/01
2011/02
2012/12
2013/10
EL47xx