1. Introduction
The EFC5610 is a versatile and cost-effective frequency converter designed for reliable speed and torque control. It supports V/f control, SVC, and FOC control methods, and offers simple parametrization and easy commissioning. When equipped with the Multi-Ethernet option module, the EFC5610 supports communication via EtherCAT, Sercos, PROFINET IO, and EtherNet/IP. In this article, we’ll walk through how to interface the EFC5610 with a ctrlX CORE using EtherCAT.
2. Prerequisites
CtrlX CORE
PLC and EtherCAT apps.
EFC x610 with Multi-ethernet module and card holder
IndraWorks Ds for parametrization
3. Documentation
4. Required Steps
Before starting, ensure you’ve reviewed the documentation and that all electrical connections are safely and correctly installed.
4.1. Configure the Multi-Ethernet Card
First, the VFD ("Variable Frequency Drive") parameters must be updated to receive frequency and run commands via bus communication instead of the display. Set the parameters as shown below using IndraWorks Ds:
Set the E8.00 parameter to 1: "Extension Card"
Finally set the H3.40 parameter to EC: "EtherCAT"
After rebooting, the EFC is ready for EtherCAT communication.
4.2. Configure the EtherCAT Master
On the ctrlX Core, ensure that the EtherCAT Master App is both installed and properly licensed. Next, add a new EtherCAT Master and select the appropriate EtherCAT port for your application.
Open ctrlX I/O Engineering and create a new project, as shown below:
Download the required Device Description Files for the Multi-Ethernet card from the ctrlX store. Install the EtherCAT ESI under Tools-> Device Repository -> Install.
After installation, two device profiles, Rexroth Mode and CiA402 Velocity Mode, are added to the repository. Rexroth Mode enables advanced drive features and simplified parameter settings, while CiA402 Velocity Mode provides standardized velocity control across EtherCAT networks, compliant with the CiA402 specification.
On your device tree. Right click on "ethercatmaster" and select scan for devices
Add the xFC01 Device into your project
Click on Download to transfer the field bus configuration to the core
Once the configuration is complete, EFC5610 data becomes available in the core's Data Layer and can be accessed by a PLC program for real-time control and monitoring.
4.3. Create a PLC Program
On the CtrlX Core, ensure that the PLC App is both installed and properly licensed. Next, start the CtrlX PLC engineering and create a new project.
Select the real-time data sources to be used in the project, as shown below:
Next, select the EFC data from the ethercat master instance:
A basic project configuration is shown below.
The Control Word can be set manually according to the control word definition
(decimal examples: 128 = Activation, 129 = Run FWD, 133 = Run REV, 136 = Dec & Stop, 160 = Clear Error, 384 = Stop Freewheel).
The Frequency Command can also be set directly (e.g., 1234 = 12.34 Hz).
For advanced functionality, Rexroth provides additional libraries and example projects, which can be accessed through the Library Manager.
Add the following libraries from the library manager:
Under CXA_DriveUtil → FreqConv, you will find examples and function blocks demonstrating how to set frequency converter parameters via EtherCAT, as well as how to send and read frequency and control words.
The CXA_EthercatMaster library is required for advanced EtherCAT communication handling.
Here, Example_MB_ECATCoEFreqConv is used and mapped to visualization elements to create a custom interface.
This interface can be operated directly from your computer or deployed to an HMI device, such as the CtrlX HMI
