Business Unit Networking

Datum / Date: 11.06.2014

Stand / State: V 1.0
Eigner/ Owner: Stephan Langer

Technical Note
IO-Link Port Definitions
Class A / Class B

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 Business Unit Networking
Datum / Date: 11.06.2014
Stand / State: V 1.0
Eigner/ Owner: Stephan Langer

IO-Link Port Definitions

Class A , Class B

Inhalt
1. IO-LINK PORT DEFINITIONS .................................................................. 2

2. USAGE OF CLASS B DEVICES WITH CLASS A MASTER................. 4

2.1 CLASS A REALISATION (1-CHANNEL-SWITCHING) .................... 5

2.2 CLASS B REALISATION (2-CHANNEL-SWITCHING)...................... 7

1. IO-Link Port Definitions

IO-Link is a serial, bi directional point to point connection for data transmission and power supply
below various networks, fieldbus systems or backplane bus systems.

Connection in IP65/67
For IP65/67 connection beside others there are M12-connectors specified. Sensors normally will be
connected with 4-pole-connectors, actuators with 5-pole-connectors. IO-Link Master provide most of
the time a 5-pole M12-female connector. The pinning is according IEC 60974-5-2 specified as follows:
• Pin 1: 24 V
• Pin 3: 0 V
• Pin 4: Switch - and Communication (C/Q)
With these 3 pins the IO-Link communication and also the power supply of the device up to 200 mA
will be realized (see picture 1).

Picture 1: Pinning of IO-Link Devices

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 Business Unit Networking
Datum / Date: 11.06.2014
Stand / State: V 1.0
Eigner/ Owner: Stephan Langer

Port types in IP65/67

The IO-Link specification describes two different port types:

Port Class A (Type A)

With this type, the functions of the pins 2 and 5 are not specified. The functions can be defined by the
manufacturer of the product. Usually the pin 2 will be used as digital in- or output.

Picture 2: Pinning Port Class A

Port Class B (Type B)

This type offers an additional power supply and is capable for connecting devices with increased
power consumption. An additional, galvanic isolated, power supply will be provided on pin 2 and pin
5. To use this additional power supply, a 5-wire-standard cable is necessary.

Picture 3: Pinning Port Class B

The pinning of a Class B port is defined as follows:

• Pin 1: 24 V, Power Supply 1
• Pin 2: 24 V, Power Supply 2
• Pin 3: 0 V , Power Supply 1
• Pin 4: Switch - and Communication (C/Q)
• Pin 5: 0 V , Power Supply 2

Usually the power supply 1 will be used to supply the electronic oft he module itself, the power supply
2 will be used to supply the load of the actuators.
With this definition, it´s possible to swith the load power independent (2 channel) from the module
supply.

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 Business Unit Networking
Datum / Date: 11.06.2014
Stand / State: V 1.0
Eigner/ Owner: Stephan Langer

2. Usage of Class B Devices with Class A Master

IO-Link components of Class B, Master as well as Devices, provide on pin 5 an additional GND potential
(see chapter 1).
As an example on a Festo MPA valve island it is shown, that pin 5 is used for GND of the valve power
supply. Therefore module supply and valve supply can be switched independently (2 channel, GND +
24V).

To get the full functionality it is helpful to use also a Class B Master, which provides the additional
potential on pin 2 and pin 5.

There are different ways also to use a Class B Device with a Class A Master.

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 Business Unit Networking
Datum / Date: 11.06.2014
Stand / State: V 1.0
Eigner/ Owner: Stephan Langer

2.1 Class A realisation (1-channel-switching)

In this case a bridge on the valve island between pin 3 and pin 5 is necessary. Herewith it will be
possible to get different potentials via pin 1 and pin 2, but the GND for both potentials is the same. A
one-channel-switching is possible now, which is acceptable in many cases.
This has to be decided by the machine builder. It has to be verified if this equates, according to the
machinery directive, the requested performance level.

Picture 4: Example Festo Valve Island MPA

Seite /Page 5 von/of 7

 Business Unit Networking
Datum / Date: 11.06.2014
Stand / State: V 1.0
Eigner/ Owner: Stephan Langer

For one-channel-switching of a Class B Device connected to a Class A Master the adapter plug

Type code: BCC M415-M414-3A-711-PX0434-1D5 Order code: BCC0FJZ

can be used. This adapter plug already has a bridge internally from pin 3 to pin 5.

Picture 5: Adapter plug

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 Business Unit Networking
Datum / Date: 11.06.2014
Stand / State: V 1.0
Eigner/ Owner: Stephan Langer

2.2 Class B realisation (2-channel-switching)

The drawing in picture 5 shows how an IO Link Port Class B can be connected to an IO-Link Master
Class A via a specific Y-Splitter. Now a 2-channel-switching will be possible.
If multiple valve islands will be used, the additional line of the Y-splitter for the additional power
supply (III) could be connected also to a M12 splitter box. Thus all the power supplies for the different
valve islands can be switched independently from the electronic power supply at the same time.
Type code: BCC M415- M413-M413-U2060-003 Order code: BCC0FCF

Cable length: 2 x 0,3m PUR

Pinning :
I = M12 female 5 pole to connect to a IO Link Class B Port
Pin 1: Supply sensors and electronic PS +24 VDC (from II Pin 1)
Pin 2: Load supply PL +24 VDC (from III Pin 1)
Pin 3: Supply sensors and electronic PS 0 V (from II Pin 3)
Pin 4: Switch and Communication C/Q, IO-Link (from II Pin 4)
Pin 5: Load supply PL 0 V (from III Pin 3)
II = M12 male without LED (IO-Link and power supply)
III = M12 male with green LED between pin 1 and pin 3 and connector transparent molded

Picture 6: Y-splitter

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