Beckhoff
The automation specialist Beckhoff showcases solutions in Hamburg for explosion protection, measurement technology on electrolyser stacks, and an AI assistant for engineering. A key focus of the trade fair appearance is the automation offering for explosion-protected plant operation. According to Beckhoff, the EtherCAT terminals of the ELX series combine compact remote I/Os with an integrated isolation barrier and allow the direct connection of intrinsically safe field devices from zones 0/20 and 1/21. The elimination of external barriers is intended to reduce costs and space requirements in the control cabinet. The EPX box modules transfer this principle to IP67 protection class for decentralized automation concepts. For the control level in zone 2/22, control panels and panel PCs of the CPX series are available. As the Ex portfolio is certified according to ATEX, IECEx, and NEC/CEC, uniform machine concepts can be used worldwide according to the company.
Cell Voltage Measurement up to 1,500 Volts
For stack monitoring of electrolysers and fuel cells, Beckhoff presents a cascaded cell voltage measurement with the EtherCAT terminals EL3008-0003 (8 x ±3 V) and EL3008-0005 (8 x ±5 V). They are designed for high-resolution short- and long-term monitoring of individual cell voltages and support the measurement of stacked voltages up to 1,500 V CAT II. According to the company, the cascaded wiring significantly reduces the number of measuring lines for large cell stacks.
On the network side, the energy measurement terminal EL3475, in combination with the small signal split-core current transformers of the SCL6xxx series, is intended to simplify the acquisition of consumption data. Raw and analysis values reach higher-level systems via EtherCAT. Beckhoff sees this as a basis for network transparency and network condition determination according to § 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG) as well as for retrofitting existing plants.
AI Assistant for PLC, HMI, and I/O Configuration
The AI assistant TwinCAT CoAgent is intended to enable a leap in efficiency in engineering. According to Beckhoff, it provides language-based code suggestions for programmable logic controllers (PLC), human-machine interfaces (HMI), and I/O configuration. During operation, the assistant supports with AI-based fault diagnosis, automatically generated repair instructions, and data analyses. For operators of hydrogen plants, this should mean shorter project planning times, faster commissioning, and reduced downtime.
Beckhoff, based in Verl, Westphalia, is one of the established providers of PC-based automation solutions and is increasingly serving the growing market for hydrogen technologies with its portfolio. The exhibition stand is located in Hall B7, Stand 7F24.
Stand 7F24
This article is part of the H2international Travel Guide for the Hydrogen Technology World Expo and Conference. More trade fair tips are available on the following channels:
– in the H2international newsletter on October 13, 2026. Free registration here.
– in the H2international webinar on October 14, 2026. Free registration here.
