MSI-H Series Linear Position Sensor with EtherCAT Output
Rod-type, high-precision, absolute, non-contact, configurable magnetostrictive sensor with a measuring range from 25 to 6000 mm.
Position measurement is performed using ring-type position magnets that move along the waveguide without physical contact.
The sensor flange is made of high-quality stainless steel and is designed for long-term operation.
Price on request
Design features
- Adjustable node address and zero position
- Modular design allows fast replacement without depressurizing the hydraulic circuit
- Compatible with all Temposonics position magnets and selected BALLUFF magnets
- Zero position offset of 50 mm, 30 mm, or customer-specific value
- Absolute linear measurement (output signals proportional to magnet displacement)
- LED status indicator for diagnostics
- High accuracy: resolution up to 5 µm
- Measuring length from 25 to 6000 mm (1 mm increments)
- Linearity < 0.01 %
- Repeatability < 0.001 %
- Operating temperature up to +85 °C
- Optional operating pressure up to 800 bar
- Protection class IP67
- The sensor supports the use of water-resistant and Teflon cables.
Measurement start point from the sensor housing by default
Configurator
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MSI-H Series Linear Position Sensor with EtherCAT Output, order code:
Scope of delivery
THE SCOPE OF SUPPLY INCLUDES: | |
Linear position sensor | |
Certificate of Conformity | |
Documentation (datasheet) | |
Warranty card | |
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* | ||||||||||||
MSI-H | . | S | . | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | . | T | . | D56 | . | E | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||
1 | Series: MSI-H – Rod-type | ||||||||||||||||||
2 | Flange type: M – M18 × 1.5, rod Ø 10 mm S – 3/4″–16 UNF, rod Ø 10 mm R – M18 × 1.5, with M4 thread on rod end, Ø10 mm Z – 3/4″–16 UNF, with M4 thread on rod end, Ø10 mm T – 3/4″–16 UNF with raised face, Ø10 mm V – M18 × 1.5, with FKM seal, Ø10 mm U – 3/4″–16 UNF with raised face, FKM seal, Ø10 mm H – 3/4″–16 UNF, FKM seal, Ø10 mm L – 3/4″–16 UNF, rod Ø 7 mm K – M18 × 1.5, rod Ø 7 mm | ||||||||||||||||||
3 | Measuring range: 0025...6000 mm, 1 mm step Other lengths available on request | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | Zero point: T - 50 mm B - 30 mm | ||||||||||||||||||
5 | Connection: D56 – Interface: 5-pin male and female connector, M12-D Power supply: 4-pin male connector, M8 | ||||||||||||||||||
6 | Output signal: E - Profinet RT&IRT | ||||||||||||||||||
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 *This field is filled in only for E102. | ||||||||||||||||||
Technical specifications
OUTPUT PARAMETERS | ||||
Measured value | Position | |||
Operating range, L | 25 — 6000 mm, 1 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 4500 mm; 3.0 ms up to 6000 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 rod | Stainless steel ASTM A269-13 / TP304l (10x1.5) | |||
Flange | Stainless steel 08Х18Н10 / AISI 304 | |||
MOUNTING | ||||
Mounting position | Any orientation. For horizontal installation of sensors with an operating range exceeding 1000 mm, the rod must be supported or fixed at the end. | |||
Flange parameters | Flange thread: M18×1.5, M22×1.5, or 3/4"–16 UNF | |||
Position magnet mounting | Mounting hardware and screws must be made of non-magnetic materials | |||
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION | ||||
Operating voltage | 24 V DC (–15 % / +20 %) | |||
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

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, 2–8 pcs. Simultaneous measurements with up to 8 magnets; minimum distance between magnets — 76 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 |
Interchangeability
| MSI | Balluff | Temposonics |
|---|---|---|
| MSI-H EtherCAT | BTL7 -Y/Z- Series – EtherCAT | R-Series V RH5 EtherCAT |
| MSI-H Profinet | BTL7 -Y/Z- Series - Profinet | R-Series V RH5 Profinet |
| MSI-H Analog | BTL7 -Y/Z- Series - Analog voltage | R-Series V RH5 Analog |
| MSI-H SSI | BTL7 -Y/Z- Series – SSI | R-Series V RH5 SSI |
| MSI-H Analog | BTL7 -Y/Z- Series - Analog current | R-Series V RH5 Analog |
| MSI-H SSI | BTL7 -A/B- Series – SSI | R-Series V RH5 SSI |
| MSI-H EtherCAT | BTL7 -A/B- Series – EtherCAT | R-Series V RH5 EtherCAT |
| MSI-H Profinet | BTL7 -A/B- Series – Profinet | R-Series V RH5 Profinet |
| MSI-H Analog | BTL7 -A/B- Series - Analog voltage | R-Series V RH5 Analog |
| MSI-H Analog | BTL7 -A/B- Series - Analog current | R-Series V RH5 Analog |
| MSI-H CANopen | BTL5 -Y/Z- Series – CANopen | R-Series RH CANopen |
| MSI-H Profinet | BTL5 -Y/Z- Series – Profibus | R-Series V RH5 Profinet |
| MSI-H CANopen | BTL5 -A/B- Series - CANopen | R-Series RH CANopen |
| MSI-H Profibus | BTL5 -A/B- Series - Profibus | R-Series RH Profibus |
| MSI-H Start/Stop | BTL7 -BE/BF- Serie - Digital | E-Series EH Start/Stop |
| MSI-H SSI | BTL7 -BE/BF- Serie – SSI | R-Series V RH5 SSI |
| MSI-H Start/Stop | BTL7 -ZE/ZF- Serie – Digital | E-Series EH Start/Stop |
| MSI-H SSI | BTL7 -ZE/ZF- Serie – SSI | R-Series V RH5 SSI |
| MSI-H Start/Stop | BTL7 -CE- Serie – Digital | E-Series EH Start/Stop |
| MSI-H SSI | BTL7 -CE- Serie – SSI | R-Series V RH5 SSI |
| MSI-H Start/Stop | BTL7 -CD- Series – Digital | E-Series EH Start/Stop |
| MSI-H Analog | BTL7 -CD- Series - Analog voltage | R-Series V RH5 Analog |
| MSI-H SSI | BTL7 -CD- Series – SSI | R-Series V RH5 SSI |
| MSI-H Analog | BTL7 -CD- Series - Analog current | R-Series V RH5 Analog |
| MSI-H CANopen | BTL5 -W- Series – CANopen | R-Series RH CANopen |
| MSI-H CANopen | BTL5 -WB- Series - CANopen | R-Series RH CANopen |
| MSI-H Start/Stop | BTL5 -WB- Series – Digital | E-Series EH Start/Stop |
| MSI-H Start/Stop | BTL5 -W- Series – Digital | E-Series EH Start/Stop |
| MSI-H CANopen | BTL5 -HB- Series – CANopen | R-Series RH CANopen |
| MSI-H Start/Stop | BTL5 -HB- Series – Digital | E-Series EH Start/Stop |
| MSI-H CANopen | BTL5 -K- Series – CANopen | R-Series RH CANopen |
| MSI-H Start/Stop | BTL5 -K- Series – Digital | E-Series EH Start/Stop |
| MSI-H DeviceNet | R-Series RH DeviceNet | |
| MSI-H DeviceNet | R-Series RP DeviceNet |
Downloads
Technical Documentation
Version dated 01.04.2025
Certificates
Inquiry Form
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