EtherCATScan and Association

Physical EtherCAT devices, modules, couplers, and slices are discovered during the Scan Devices routine and are automatically set as project devices in the Project Tree.

  • These device associations persist through subsequent scans unless you change them.
  • The Scan Devices is accessed by double-clicking the EtherCAT node in the Project Explorer, then click the Scan Devices button in the Devices tab.

Changing the network's physical topology (e.g., adding, moving, or removing devices) or changing the associations between physical devices and project devices requires the Scan Devices be run again.

  • The Discovered Devices and Modules window shows any changes.
  • The Modify button will be enabled.
    • When Modify is clicked the dialog box expands to show Available Project Devices and Modules.
    • Click a device and drag it to the corresponding New Device to create an association.
    • Repeat as necessary for slices and modules.

Once the associations are complete, click Ok.

See these procedures for more details:

The physical network topology is compared to the project's expected network topology after the EtherCAT devices are associated and the PLC application is started.

An error is reported if the topologies do not match and the PLC program does not run.


  • The physical topology must match the project's expected topology for the PLC application to operate the devices properly.