01
Reduce home runs
Collect several conventional signals near the machine and return them through one IO-Link connection.
ifm · IO-Link modules
ifm IO-Link Hubs & Modules
Extend the IO-Link topology to conventional digital inputs, digital outputs, analogue signals and actuators directly in the field. Select the module by signal mix, power architecture, environment and upstream master port.
DI / DO / AIField expansionIP67 / IP69K routesCoolant / FoodMaster required
RoleI/O expansionConventional signals into IO-Link
SignalsDI / DO / AIPlus selected RTD / frequency / PWM routes
EnvironmentIP67 / 69KCoolant and food families
BoundaryNo fieldbusUpstream IO-Link master required
Decentralised I/O
Move standard signals out of the cabinet without adding another fieldbus node
Use the IO-Link bandwidth already available at the master port to collect conventional signals and drive suitable field actuators.
02
Configurable I/O
Selected modules allow ports to be assigned as digital or analogue inputs/outputs according to the application.
03
Troubleshoot locally
Module and port diagnostics simplify fault isolation compared with passive junction wiring.
04
Coolant or food
Orange industrial variants and grey hygienic/washdown variants address different field conditions.
Current module routes
BasicLine, PerformanceLine and specialised signal module selection
Exact I/O counts and power depend on the model.
| Route | Representative current models | Signals | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| BasicLine DI | AL2400 / AL2401 / AL2410 / AL2411 | Digital inputs | Simple binary field collection |
| Multiport / configurable | AL2605 / AL2607 and food equivalents | Configurable DI/DO plus selected analogue routes | Mixed machine I/O near field devices |
| Dedicated DI | AL230x / AL220x families | Digital inputs | Higher channel-count input collection |
| Dedicated DO | AL232x / AL222x families | Digital outputs | Actuator switching via IO-Link |
| Analogue input | AL234x / AL224x / AL50xx routes | 0–10 V, 4–20 mA, RTD depending on model | Legacy analogue sensors in a digital architecture |
Power architecture
US, UA and UAi determine what stays powered
ifm offers modules powered directly from the IO-Link master as well as externally powered variants. Separate sensor and actuator supplies can matter when actuator power must be switched independently.
USModule / sensor supply from the master.
UAExternal actuator supply on suitable module architectures.
UAiSeparate external sensor supply on selected variants.
B portAuxiliary actuator energy where the architecture supports it.
Functional-safety boundary
Standard IO-Link modules are not safety devices
Some newer designs support fault-exclusion / non-interference concepts when actuator power is removed by an upstream safety device. That does not make the module a safety controller or safety switching device.
Engineering note: if the function is safety-related, the complete safety architecture—including safe controller/relay, power removal, wiring, diagnostics and required PL/SIL—must be verified separately.
Topology
A hub/module always sits downstream of an IO-Link master
This is the simplest way to distinguish a hub from a master.
Legacy signalsDI / DO / AI / actuator
→
Field expansionIO-Link hub/module
→
GatewayIO-Link master
→
ControlPLC
Requirement capture
Inputs required to select the module
The signal mix and power requirement determine the module faster than the enclosure colour.
Signal countNumber of DI, DO, AI, RTD or frequency signals.
Actuator currentPer-port and total output current requirements.
Master portA-port or B-port architecture and available supply.
EnvironmentCoolant/industrial versus hygienic/washdown.
Connector countM8/M12 layout and cable routing.
Safety power removalWhether actuator supply must be switched by a safety device.