First steps

Before you begin

Finding all neccesary information

Before connecting and commissioning the module, please read the safety instructions and guidelines in the manual. Always ensure that all necessary safety precautions are followed.

What’s in the box

Accessories (to be ordered separately)

Mounting the module

First, mount the network module at both mounting holes in its designated position using the specified torque values. Two screws with a maximum diameter of 6mm are required for this. The length can be chosen according to your application location. Next, the grounding cable must be screwed to both the module and a conductive substrate using the specified torque value.

Main steps for installing the module:

To set up your BNI, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the substrate for installation

2. Position the module at the designated location

3. Screw the module in place through the two mounting holes with M6 screws

4. Tighten the screws to a maximum torque of 3 Nm

5. Attach and tighten the grounding cable with a maximum torque of 1.2 Nm

6. Screw the grounding cable to the grounding point in the application

Connecting the module

When connecting the module, please follow the order described below. Always ensure that all cables are securely seated and that the plugs and cable connections are in good condition.

Main steps for connecting the module:

1. Plug in the M12 Ethernet cable and securely tighten the screw connection. Next, connect the unpowered 24V power cable to the module and securely tighten the screw connection. This ensures the IP67 protection class at the connections. The open connections must be covered with caps.

2. Then, activate the 24V power source. The module LEDs US and Link will start to light up.

3. In the area of the device connectors, the LEDs will form a running light in a clockwise direction, indicating the search for an active fieldbus protocol in the connected network.

Selecting the fieldbus protocol

If a supported fieldbus protocol is found in the network, the network module selects it automatically. The chosen fieldbus protocol is visualized for 10 seconds by the respective LED line in the device connector area. If no protocol is found, no LEDs will light up, and the default access via the web interface will be activated. There, a fieldbus protocol can be selected manually, and network settings can be adjusted.

Comissioning via network and software

There are different ways to start up the module after connecting it. Accessibility via the various fieldbus protocols and interfaces varies, as shown below.

Access via PLC and fieldbus

There are different ways to put the module into operation after connecting it. The accessibility via the various fieldbus protocols and interfaces varies, as shown below.

Detailed information on integrating the module via fieldbus protocols:

1. Profinet integration

2. Ethernet/IP integration

3. EtherCAT integration

4. Modbus TCP configuration

Access via Balluff Engineering Tool (BET)

First, download the free software Balluff Engineering Tool from the Balluff website and install it. Then, open the software and after logging in, click on “Search Devices” on the right side of the bar.

Access via browser with Web UI or the REST API

If EtherCAT was not selected as the fieldbus protocol after powering on, you can access the module via the browser and a REST interface. Use the login credentials found on the side of the module or on the included sticker. Follow these steps:

1. Open the URL 192.168.1.1 in your browser. You may need to change the network settings of your network adapter to the same IP range to gain access.

2. Log in as “admin” with the provided default password.

3. Open the network settings to adjust the fieldbus protocol and network settings.

To access via the REST API, open the REST documentation. There you will find all available endpoints.

Here you will find a detailed documentation of the WebUI chapter REST API.