Bidirectional inductive couplers are used wherever fixed wiring of sensors and actuators causes interference or is subject to wear due to fatigue, for example, in rotary tables, interchangeable tools, etc. These couplers reliably, quickly, and with optimized performance transfer of power and IO-Link signals completely contactless through an air gap of up to 5 mm.
The new inductive couplers can be used to combine sensor and actuator signals directly at the process site using a simple three-wire cable, eliminating the need for complex wiring. Signals are transferred completely transparently via the contactless connection of the coupling systems. In combination with the corresponding IO-Link master, the inductive coupling systems can be connected to virtually any common fieldbus. Intelligent sensor configuration and diagnostic operations via IO-Link remain available as before.
The couplers are installed, mounted, and even replaced as plug and play. A simple M12 connector on both the base and the remote unit facilitates connection.
Balluff engineers have implemented a special technical feature with the AUX power supply, allowing it to be switched on and off. This enables users to change actuators—such as a valve terminal—connected via a sensor/actuator hub, regardless of the sensors installed, without interrupting the IO-Link connection.
