Safety Encoder Protocols

Choosing the Right Communication Protocol for Functional Safety

Functional safety encoders rely on specialized communication protocols to transmit safety-related position, speed, and diagnostic information to the safety control system. Choosing the right protocol depends on your machine's existing network architecture, safety controller, performance requirements, and application environment.

EPC offers safety encoder solutions supporting CANopen Safety, PROFIsafe, and Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE). Explore the differences below to determine which protocol best fits your safety architecture.

CANopen Safety

CANopen Safety extends CANopen communication with safety mechanisms designed to detect communication errors, missing or delayed messages, and data corruption. It is well suited for safety-critical systems already built around CAN networks.

CANopen Safety is commonly used in mobile equipment, material handling, heavy machinery, and industrial automation, particularly where rugged, communication is important. EPC's CANopen Safety encoders provide safety-related position and speed feedback for integration into compatible safety control systems.

Explore CANopen Safety

CANopen_Safety

PROFIsafe

PROFIsafe provides functional safety communication within PROFINET-based automation architectures. It enables safety-related information to be transmitted alongside standard control communication while maintaining the requirements of the safety system.

For encoder applications, PROFIsafe can provide safety-related position and speed feedback to compatible safety controllers. It is well suited for factory automation, robotics, packaging machinery, material handling, and other PROFINET-based systems. EPC's safety portfolio includes PROFIsafe options for SIL-rated applications.

Explore PROFIsafe Encoders

PROFIsafe

 

Safety over Ethercat (FSoE)

Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) enables functional safety communication within EtherCAT-based control systems. It combines the performance advantages of EtherCAT with safety-related communication for applications requiring reliable position, speed, and motion feedback.

FSoE is especially well suited for high-performance automation, robotics, motion control, packaging machinery, and other EtherCAT-based systems where fast communication is important. EPC offers FSoE safety encoder options providing certified safety-related motion feedback.

Explore FSoE Encoders

FSoE

 

 

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