With the assignment of the 4,000th EtherCAT supplier ID, the EtherCAT Technology Association (ETG) once again confirms the remarkable diversity of EtherCAT manufacturers. The use of supplier ids is mandatory for manufacturers of EtherCAT devices, which can be uniquely identified and distributed worldwide.

PXIE-4305 Accordingly, each EtherCAT device must have the supplier ID of the device manufacturer. The identification number is uniquely assigned by ETG. The use of EtherCAT supplier ids is precisely defined and requires EtherCAT products to comply with the EtherCAT specification and be properly verified by the official EtherCAT Conformance Testing Tool (CTT).

PXIE-4305

PXIE-4305 Oliver Fels, Supplier ID at ETG, explains: “Every manufacturer of EtherCAT devices must be an ETG member and have a valid supplier ID. This is required for every EtherCAT device before it is released to the public. Users of EtherCAT devices, such as machine manufacturers, Oems, or system integrators, do not need vendor ids.”

As with ETG membership, the assignment of EtherCAT vendor ids is free. This highlights the open nature of the technology. ETG members can apply for a supplier ID online via the EtherCAT Technical Association website.