Your benefits due to IO-Link

With IO-Link, switching devices and sensors are connected to the control level with a cost-efficient point-to-point-connection.
Leading suppliers of automation products deveoped the communication standard. The IO-Link organization supports the new concept in all areas of control, sensor and actuator technology. IO-Link is an open interface and can be integrated into all common fieldbus and automation systems.

The use of IO-Link reduces the wiring effort for actuators and sensors and simplifies the storage. The use of the consistent IO-Link interface reduces the variety of interfaces of sensors and IO-periphery.
It also reduces the amount of different connection wires.
Multiple cables can be replaced with unshielded standard cables M12, M8, or M5.
Thanks to IO-Link, wiring and installation become noticeably less complex.

Without the use of IO-Link, actuators and sensors require a lot of wiring effort. Each starter is connected separately to the distributed periphery within the control cabinet. Separate connections are required for switching and response. Innovative IO-Link components reduce the wiring effort and the space requiremnt in the control cabinet.
Thanks to the IO-Link masterof the ET 200S, up to four starters can be connected with a single IO-Link connection.

The IO-Link standard and the SIMATIC S7-PCT-Tool enable the synchronous parameterization "with a single click".
SIMATIC S7-PCT is the efficient and comfortable engineering tool for project design, parameterization, and testing of IO-Link masters and devices. Together with STEP 7, it enables the direct access to your project design, parameterization, and tests.
All available IO-Link components from Siemens are already implemented in the selection menu and other IO-Link devices can be integrated with a description file (IODD).

Diagnosis data cannot be transmitted when an actuator or sensor fails that does not have an IO-Link connection. The HMI does not show a diagnosis notification and the reason for the failure can only be seen at the device. IO-link sensors and actuators make possible the reliable diagnosis. Diagnosis notifications can be transmitted and displayed at the HMI together with their explanation. This enables a fast and reliable diagnosis as well as short reaction times and minimized downtime.

Without the use of IO-Link, each parameter has to be assigned with a programming device in case actuators and sensors have to be replaced due to a fault. When IO-Link sensors and actuators are used, for instance in the RFID system RF200, the parameters are assigned automatically after the exchange of devices.
This reduces the parameterization effort and avoids errors.

The acquisition of energy data, and therefore energy management, is not possible without the use of IO-Link. IO-Link capable monitoring and overload relays, on the other hand, make possible the transmission of energy data.

The data can be acquired and displayed on the HMI. This means that IO-Link enables energy management down to the last meter to the process.