Solidot EI4-A08V – EtherNet/IP Remote I/O, 8 × AO voltage

If you want to connect sensors and actuators to a controller in a decentralized way while relying on the open EtherNet/IP protocol, the Solidot EI4 series offers a compact remote I/O system based on standard Ethernet. The modules sit right on the machine or in the field distribution box and transmit all inputs and outputs to the controller over your existing EtherNet/IP infrastructure – without running every single wire all the way back to the central cabinet.

🏭 Typical applications

• Plants with an EtherNet/IP backbone: Modules slot into an existing EtherNet/IP network – without a protocol gateway or media converter.

• Relieve the control cabinet: Instead of hundreds of wires running to the central cabinet, only two RJ45 lines per module are needed. Fewer cable ducts, fewer terminals.

• Extend Rockwell / Allen-Bradley environments: Connect decentralized I/O to ControlLogix / CompactLogix controllers without upgrading the central PLC.

• Mixed signal types: Digital, analog (current/voltage), relay, temperature or encoder – a suitable module for every signal type from the same building-block system.

🌐 EtherNet/IP: decentralized I/O over standard Ethernet

EI4 uses EtherNet/IP (CIP) over standard Ethernet. Each module has two RJ45 ports (100 Mbps) for looping through, so modules can be chained in a line or star topology. The module is read into the scanner via the device description file (EDS) and is ready to configure immediately.

💡 Does your controller speak EtherCAT instead of EtherNet/IP? The same modules are available as the Solidot EC4 series (EtherCAT) – same hardware, same building-block system, just a different fieldbus.

🔗 Compatibility

As a standard-compliant EtherNet/IP adapter device, the EI4 series integrates into any EtherNet/IP scanner – such as Rockwell/Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000) or Omron. Integration is vendor-independent via the EDS file.

🔌 Design and connection

• Removable spring-clamp terminals: Power supply and I/O sit on removable terminal blocks – when replacing a module, the block is simply unplugged and the wiring stays in place.

• DIN-rail mounting: 35 mm DIN rail, compact housing (102 × 72 × 25 mm), passive cooling – no fan, no maintenance.

• Power supply: 24 V DC nominal, permissible 18 – 36 V DC. Status via LEDs (PWR, RUN, ERR) on each module.

⚠️ Limitations stated honestly

• Protection rating IP20 – for a control cabinet or protected enclosure, not for the unprotected field environment.

• Power supply exclusively 18 – 36 V DC, no AC supply.

• Operation from -10 °C to +60 °C (passive cooling).

• Standard process I/O – no functional-safety (safety-rated) inputs/outputs. A separate safety controller is required for emergency stop and similar functions.

• EI4 modules are adapter devices and require an EtherNet/IP scanner – they do not replace a controller.

🏷️ Manufacturer and reliability

Solidot (s'Dot) specializes in industrial networking and remote I/O technology. The EI4 modules are CE- and RoHS-compliant and built for industrial use; on the analog modules the channels are galvanically isolated (500 V, optocoupler). spstiger offers the series with expert advice and support.