MSI-P Series Linear Position Sensors with EtherCAT Output

Profile-style, high-precision, absolute, non-contact magnetostrictive position sensor with a measuring range of 25 to 4000 mm.
Position is measured by position magnets that travel along the waveguide with a maximum air gap of up to 10 mm.

Price on request

CONFIGURATOR

Design features

The modular design allows fast servicing and repair without releasing pressure from the hydraulic circuit.
The sensor is compatible with all BALLUFF position magnets and with selected magnets from Temposonics.
The sensor provides absolute linear measurement, with output signals proportional to the displacement of the position magnet.
An LED indicator is provided for sensor diagnostics.
The sensor delivers high accuracy with resolution up to 1 μm.
Measuring length is available from 25 to 4000 mm with 1 mm increments.
Linearity: < 0.01 %
Repeatability: < 0.001 %
Operating temperature: up to 85 °C
Protection class: IP67
The sensor supports the use of water-resistant and Teflon cables.

Configurator

MSI-P

MSI-P Series Linear Position Sensors with EtherCAT Output, order code:

Scope of delivery

THE SCOPE OF SUPPLY INCLUDES:
	Linear position sensor
	Certificate of Conformity
	Manual
	Warranty card
	Mounting brackets For L < 500: 2 clamping brackets Fot L > 500: 2 clamping brackets + 1 additional clamping bracket every 500 mm
	Mating connectors and magnets for the sensor must be ordered separately!

Product ordering code

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ORDER PLACEMENT
1		2		3					4		5		6	7			8*		9*
MSI-P	.	S	.	0	5	0	0	.	T	.	D56	.	E	1	0	1		.
1	Series: MSI-P - Profile housing
2	Magnet type: - Without magnet S - Magnetic slider “S”, mechanically coupled, free travel SP - Magnetic slider “SP”, mechanically coupled, close-fit design L - Position magnet “L”, air gap up to 10 mm K - Position magnet “K”, air gap up to 4 mm
3	Measuring range: 0025...4000 mm, 1 mm step Other lengths available on request
4	Zero point: T - 13 mm
5	Connection: D56 - Interface: 5-pin male and female connector, M12-D Power supply: 4-pin male connector, M8
6	Output signal: E - EtherCAT
7	Position measurement type: 102 - multi-position measurement, 2–8 positions 101 - single-position measurement (standard)
8*	Number of positions: Z02 - 2 positions ... Z08 - 8 positions Only for E102*.
9*	Option 1: - None ER1 - Extending rod with stabilizer for standard sensor mounting

Technical specifications

OUTPUT PARAMETERS
Measured value	Position, velocity
Operating range, L	25 — 4000 mm, 5 mm step
Measured velocity	0.025 - 10 m/s
Displacement speed	Any
Update rate	0.5 ms up to 1200 mm; 1.0 ms up to 2400 mm; 2.0 ms up to 4000 mm
Status diagnostics	LEDs next to the connector
INTERFACE
Digital interface	EtherCAT Bus
Data transfer protocol	100 Base-Tx, Fast Ethernet
Number of magnets	1-8
Max cable length	Cable length: <100 m Transmission speed: 100 Mbps
	Measurements were performed using a Cat-5 cable
POSITION MEASUREMENT ACCURACY
Resolution	1 to 100 µm (configurable)
Linearity deviation	L ≤ 500 mm: ±50 µm L > 500 mm: ±0.01 % F.S.
Repeatability	< ±0.001 % F.S. (minimum ±2.5 µm)
OPERATING CONDITIONS
Operating temperature	-40 °C…+85 °C
Rated pressure	350 bar, 600 bar peak (optional 800 bar)
Humidity	90 % rel. humidity, no condensation
Ingress protection	IP65, IP67 at cable outlet
MATERIALS
Sensor electronics housing	Anodized aluminum, plastic
Sensor profile	Anodized aluminum
Flange	Stainless steel 08Х18Н10 / AISI 304
MOUNTING
Mounting position	Any
Profile	Movable mounting brackets
Position magnet mounting	Mounting hardware and screws made of non-magnetic material
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION
Operating voltage	24 (- 15 / +20 %) V DC
Reverse polarity protection	up to –30 V DC
Overvoltage protection	up to 36 V DC
Current consumption	50…140 mA (depending on sensor length)
Insulation resistance	500 V DC (between sensor housing and 0 V DC)
STANDARDS, EMC TESTS
Shock test	100 g, single shock according to IEC 60068-2-7
Vibration test	15 g / 10–2000 Hz according to IEC 60068-2-6
EMC tests	GOST R IEC 61326-1-2014

Connection: D56 connector

BUS INPUT PORT №1	CONTACT	FUNCTION
M12 socket, D-coding (view from sensor side)	1	Tx (+) (bus)
	2	Rx (+) (bus)
	3	Tx (-) (bus)
	4	Rx (-) (bus)
BUS OUTPUT PORT №2	CONTACT	FUNCTION
M12 socket, D-coding (view from sensor side)	1	Tx (+) (bus)
	2	Rx (+) (bus)
	3	Tx (-) (bus)
	4	Rx (-) (bus)
SENSOR POWER SUPPLY	CONTACT	FUNCTION
M8 plug (view from sensor side)	1	+24 V DC (−15 / +20 %)
	2	Not used
	3	0 V DC (power supply reference)
	4	Not used

Installation recommendations

Mounting recommendations for MSI-H sensor

Interface

EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation Technology) is a high-performance industrial Ethernet protocol standardized under IEC 61158. The protocol supports data transmission rates of 100 Mbit/s and 1 Gbit/s. EtherCAT offers high flexibility in network topology: networks can be built in line, star, ring, tree, or hybrid configurations. No additional Ethernet switches are required for network implementation, which simplifies deployment and reduces costs. Within a single network segment, up to 65,535 devices can be connected, including sensors, servo drives, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

Device configuration is performed via ESI (EtherCAT Slave Information) XML files or through a web interface, ensuring convenient integration into existing automation systems.

Synchronization:

Hard Real-Time — hard real-time mode providing a data update cycle of no more than 100 µs.
Distributed Clocks(DC) — enables device synchronization with nanosecond-level accuracy, which is essential for coordinating complex motion systems.

Compatibility with other standards:

CoE – CANopen over EtherCAT –enables integration with CANopen devices.
SoE – SERCOS over EtherCAT – enables integration with SERCOS systems.
EoE – Ethernet over EtherCAT – allows transmission of TCP/IP traffic within an EtherCAT network.

A key feature of EtherCAT is “on-the-fly” data processing: each network node processes the Ethernet frame as it passes through, without buffering. This significantly reduces latency and increases bandwidth efficiency, achieving up to 90% effective payload utilization of the Ethernet frame. The protocol is highly scalable and suitable for systems of any complexity — from local installations to distributed networks with thousands of devices.

EtherCAT Frame Format

Multi-position measurement

OPERATING MODES
Data exchange When measuring with multiple magnets, 1 byte of status data and 3 bytes of position data are transmitted per cycle. The status data byte contains: the error bit and the number of positions for the current measurement.
E101 Measurements performed with a single magnet (standard) E102 Measurements using multiple magnets, 1–8 pcs. Simultaneous measurements with up to 8 magnets; minimum distance between magnets — 75 mm.

Connection example

Status diagnostics

LED LOCATION	GREEN	RED	STATUS
	Off	Off	The sensor is not connected to the power supply or is faulty
	On	Off	Normal operation
	On	On	Position magnet is missing or an incorrect number of position magnets is present