Appendix
EL72x1 179Version: 3.3
10.2 EtherCAT AL Status Codes
For detailed information please refer to the EtherCAT system description.
10.3 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.
Attention
Risk of damage to the device!
Pay attention to the instructions for firmware updates on the separate page.
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 suitable for the hardware version!
EL7201-0000
Hardware (HW) Firmware (FW) Revision no. Release date
00 00 EL7201-0000-0016 2010/06
02 - 07* 01 EL7201-0000-0017 2012/01
02 2012/02
03 2012/04
EL7201-0000-0018 2012/08
EL7201-0000-0019 2013/04
04 EL7201-0000-0020 2014/06
05* EL7201-0000-0021 2015/03
EL7211-0000
Hardware (HW) Firmware (FW) Revision no. Release date
07* 04 EL7211-0000-0020 2014/06
05* EL7201-0000-0021 2015/03
*) 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.
10.4 Firmware Update EL/ES/EM/EPxxxx
This section describes the device update for Beckhoff EtherCAT slaves from the EL/ES, 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.