Safety over EtherCAT Specification

In the interest of realizing safe data communication over EtherCAT, the Safety over EtherCAT protocol (Fail Safe over EtherCAT, FSoE) has been disclosed within the EtherCAT Technology Group. EtherCAT is used as a single-channel communication system for transferring safe and non-safe information. The transport medium is regarded as a "black channel" and not included in safety considerations. A safety frame containing the safe process data and the required data backup is included in the EtherCAT process data. This "container" is safely analyzed in the devices at the application level. Communication remains single-channel. This corresponds to Model A from the Annex of pre-IEC 61784-3.

The Safety over EtherCAT protocol has been assessed by German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV). It is certified as a protocol for transferring process data between Safety over EtherCAT devices up to SIL 3 according to IEC 61508. The implementation of the Safety over EtherCAT protocol in a device must meet the requirements of the safety target. The associated product-specific requirements must be taken into account.

The latest version of the ETG.5100 specification can be requested via email by ETG members only (click on description). Furthermore, please find all FSoE-related specifications listed as download below.

You may not copy, distribute or “mirror” these files or printed versions of the documents, or any part of it, without permission in writing from the ETG (EtherCAT Technology Group).

Safety over EtherCAT Protocol Enhancements

This specification contains enhancements of the Safety over EtherCAT protocol. These enhancements are part of the Safety over EtherCAT specification and shall be taken into account for device implementation.

The ETG.5120 Safety over EtherCAT Protocol Enhancements V1.3.2 specification is available as draft for review within ETG for 6 weeks. The main change is in the new Chapter 7.3, "Maximum Watchdog Time."
Review period ends August 10th, 2026. Please provide comments to Dr. Guido Beckmann directly.

Based on the ETG.5100 Safety over EtherCAT Specification following features are defined:

  • Enhancements of SDO Information Service
  • CoE Object Dictionary enhancements
    • FSoE Parameter Set Mapping information
    • FSoE Parameter Set Assignment information
    • FSoE Frame elemtents
    • FSoE Communication parameter
  • PDO Mapping and Assignment
  • Safety related Parameter download
    • FSoE Parameter Set
    • Safety-Related Application Parameter Set (SRA Parameter)
  • Information about ESI elements used for FSoE
  • SoE Drive using FSoE Connections description requirements
  説明 言語 タイプ 日付 サイズ Ver. ステータス
メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.5100 Safety over EtherCAT Specification (request via email; for ETG members only) EN PDF 2011/03/10 1.2.0 Release (see also Errata sheet ETG.5100ES) 
members-no ETG.2200 EtherCAT Subデバイス実装ガイド EN  PDF  2025/02/05  5,41 MB 3.2.0  リリース 
メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.5100 FSoE Specification Errata Sheet EN  PDF  2018/02/07  0,15 MB 1.2.0  Release 
メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.5120 Safety over EtherCAT Protocol Enhancements EN  PDF  2023/01/24  0,48 MB 1.3.0  Release 
  説明 言語 タイプ 日付 サイズ Ver. ステータス
メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.5120 Safety over EtherCAT Protocol Enhancements EN PDF 2026/06/29 0,48 MB 1.3.2 Draft for Review 

You may not copy, distribute or “mirror” these files or printed versions of the documents, or any part of it, without permission in writing from the ETG (EtherCAT Technology Group).

メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.5001.4 MDP Safety Module Specification EN  PDF  2020/07/17  0,47 MB 1.1.0  Release  メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.6100 Safety Drive Profile EN  ZIP  2020/07/15  1,42 MB 1.3.0  リリース  メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.7011 FSoE Conformance Test Check List for common issues EN  PDF  2020/07/17  0,49 MB 1.0.2  Release  メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.7100.2-1 Safety over EtherCAT Conformance Test Specification; Part 2-1: FSoE Conformance Test Record - General EN  PDF  2023/01/24  0,15 MB 1.4.0  Release  メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.7100.2-2 Safety over EtherCAT Conformance Test Specification; Part 2-2 FSoE Conformance Test Record - Slave Test Record EN  PDF  2025/01/31  3,35 MB 1.5.0  Release  メンバーエリアmembers-yes EtherCAT Conformance Test Tool (CTT) - FSoE Test File Set EN  ZIP  2023/01/24  0,08 MB 1.4.0  Release  メンバーエリアmembers-yes ETG.9100 Safety over EtherCAT Policy EN PDF 2012/10/25 0,25 MB 1.0.0 Release