DC servo drive
Beckhoff Automation EL72xx / ELM72xx servo terminals
Servo amplifiers in EtherCAT I/O terminal format that drive low-voltage servo motors such as AM8100 directly from the I/O rail.
Key specifications
| Ingress protection | IP20 |
|---|---|
| Supply | 8-48 Vdc motor supply; 24 Vdc electronics |
| Feedback | resolver (EL7211), OCT absolute (ELM7221) |
| Fieldbus | EtherCAT |
| Axes | 1 |
| Continuous current (max) | 8 A |
| Peak current (max) | 16 A |
Summarised in our own words from Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG's published data; series maxima, individual models vary. Last checked 2026-10-29. Source 1 · Source 2
Notes on this data
EL7211: 4.5 A rms, 9 A peak 1 s. ELM7221-0010: 8 A rms, 16 A peak 1 s. Other members (EL7201, EL7221, ELM7231) not read, so maxima may understate the range.
Specify Motion is not affiliated with Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG. Beckhoff Automation and EL72xx / ELM72xx servo terminals are used only to identify the product. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Typical applications
Alternatives that meet or exceed these figures
Engineers often come to us with a Beckhoff Automation part number and leave with an alternative that is easier to source, quicker to deliver or a better fit for the machine. These 3 series from our supply network are the closest match on published figures.
Single-axis 24-70 VDC servo drives from 5 to 60 Arms (180 A peak), in RS (Modbus/pulse/analogue) and CAN (CANopen/analogue) versions. They drive brushless, brushed and PMSM motors including ELVM, with STO SIL3 and backup logic supply on the 40/60 A models.
| Published maximum | EL72xx / ELM72xx servo terminals | ELD2 Series Low-Voltage DC Servo Drives |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous current | 8 A | 60 A meets or exceeds |
| Peak current | 16 A | 180 A meets or exceeds |
| Power | — | 2,500 W |
| Axes | 1 | 1 meets or exceeds |
Palm-sized 24-70 VDC servo drives (76 x 50 x 33.5 mm) from 50 to 750 W in EtherCAT, CANopen and Modbus RTU versions, with STO, a second encoder input for full closed loop and support for slotless, brushed, voice-coil and linear motors.
| Published maximum | EL72xx / ELM72xx servo terminals | ELD3 Series Miniature DC Servo Drives |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous current | 8 A | 20 A meets or exceeds |
| Peak current | 16 A | 50 A meets or exceeds |
| Power | — | 750 W |
| Axes | 1 | 1 meets or exceeds |
Palm-sized Kinco 24-60 VDC drives at 5, 10 or 20 Arms for 50-750 W BLDC servo motors, with RS485, CANopen or EtherCAT, used heavily in AGVs.
| Published maximum | EL72xx / ELM72xx servo terminals | OD Series Mini DC Servo Drives (OD114S… |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous current | 8 A | 20 A meets or exceeds |
| Peak current | 16 A | — |
| Power | — | 750 W |
| Axes | 1 | 1 meets or exceeds |
Figures are the highest published for each series and are not always measured the same way. A higher figure is not automatically a better choice: mounting, duty cycle, feedback, connectors and approvals matter too. An engineer will check the fit against your application before recommending anything.
Other dc servo drive series
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