AL1222 - IO-Link Master PowerLine 8-Port EtherNet/IP IP67 | ifm
MPN: AL1222 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $540.86 | $540.86 |
| 5 | $519.22 | $2,596.10 |
| 10 | $502.74 | $5,027.40 |
| 25 | $486.78 | $12,169.50 |
| 50 | $470.55 | $23,527.50 |
AL1222 Overview
An IO-Link master is the gateway that bridges bidirectional point-to-point IO-Link communication from smart sensors and actuators up to a higher-level fieldbus or industrial Ethernet network. In the device taxonomy, an IO-Link master sits above the IO-Link device (sensor/actuator) and below the PLC / controller layer, making it a foundational component of modern Industry 4.0 sensor-and-actuator-level networks.
Key features include 8 IO-Link ports with full V1.0/V1.1 compatibility, EtherNet/IP interface, M12 A-coded power and M12 D-coded Ethernet connectors, integrated status LEDs per port, and a robust PA orange housing with FKM sealing and brass nickel-plated sockets. The unit is rated to EN 61000-6-2 / EN 61000-6-4 EMC and meets DIN EN 60068-2-27 shock and DIN EN 60068-2-6 / 60068-2-64 vibration standards. Backplane mounting simplifies daisy-chained power distribution across multiple masters.
Typical applications include automotive body shop IO-Link aggregation, machine tool sensor hubs, packaging line actuator control, food and beverage washdown zones, and conveyor system retrofitting. The 208 mm length allows side-by-side mounting with other PowerLine masters and I/O blocks from the ifm ecosystem.
When designing with this device, plan for a 24 V DC Class 2 power source, M12 Ethernet cabling to the switch, and adequate strain relief. Confirm IO-Link device descriptors (IODD) are available for each connected sensor; ifm's IODD library covers the majority of ifm and third-party V1.0/V1.1 devices.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone.
Drop-in alternatives for AL1222 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
AL1221
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AL1223
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AL1352
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BNI EIP-508-005-Z015
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TBEN-S2-8IOL
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
AL1222 Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | IO-Link Master, PowerLine series |
| Fieldbus Protocol | EtherNet/IP |
| IO-Link Ports | 8 (V1.0 / V1.1) |
| Digital Inputs | 4 |
| Connector Style (Power) | M12 A-coded |
| Connector Style (Ethernet) | M12 D-coded |
| Housing Material | PA orange; sockets brass nickel-plated |
| Sealing Material | FKM |
| Ingress Protection | IP67 (dust tight, waterproof) |
| Mounting Type | Backplane mounting |
| Housing Dimensions | 208 x 59.3 x 38.4 mm |
| Weight | 418.3 g |
| EMC Standards | EN 61000-6-2, EN 61000-6-4 |
| Shock Resistance | DIN EN 60068-2-27 |
| Vibration Resistance | DIN EN 60068-2-6 / 60068-2-64 |
| MTTF | 63 years |
| RoHS | Compliant |
AL1222 Interfaces & Connectors
AL1222 exposes the following interfaces and connectors as published by the manufacturer: Ethernet. Expansion header pinout, connector pin numbering, and electrical limits are defined in the manufacturer documentation.
| Ethernet | M12 D-coded |
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
AL1222 is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Body Shop IO-Link Aggregation, Machine Tool Sensor Hub, Food and Beverage Washdown Zones, Packaging Line Actuator Control, Conveyor System Retrofitting, Logistics and Warehouse Automation.
Automotive Body Shop IO-Link Aggregation
The AL12228's EtherNet/IP gateway function and 8-port IO-Link density make it well suited for automotive body shop robotic cells where dozens of presence, distance, and RFID sensors must aggregate to a single EtherNet/IP node. With 4 additional digital inputs and IP67 sealing, it handles weld-splash environments, while the PowerLine backplane mount eliminates costly cabinet runs. Integrated per-port status LEDs shorten commissioning time on the line.
Recommended
Machine Tool Sensor Hub
In CNC machining centers the AL1222 serves as a distributed IO-Link hub for tool-breakage, coolant pressure, and spindle temperature sensors. Its 24 V DC backplane-power design simplifies power distribution along the machine bed, while EtherNet/IP connectivity integrates with Rockwell ControlLogix controllers. Vibration resistance to DIN EN 60068-2-6 ensures reliable operation next to high-RPM spindles.
Recommended
Food and Beverage Washdown Zones
The AL1222's IP67 sealing, FKM gasket material, and corrosion-resistant M12 connectors make it suitable for direct mounting in dairy, beverage, and meat-processing washdown zones. CIP/SIP chemical resistance and 208 mm compact length support tight equipment spacing. Eight IO-Link ports aggregate level, flow, and conductivity sensors with EtherNet/IP reporting to plant-wide SCADA.
Recommended
Packaging Line Actuator Control
On packaging machinery, the AL1222 provides bidirectional IO-Link communication with smart pneumatic valves and stack lights, allowing remote configuration and diagnostics. EtherNet/IP integrates with packaging line controllers, while the IP67 rating survives daily washdowns. Backplane mounting allows daisy-chaining multiple masters along the line.
Recommended
Conveyor System Retrofitting
Retrofit conveyor systems benefit from the AL1222's IP67 field-mount design, allowing installation directly on conveyor frames without control cabinet construction. EtherNet/IP uplinks connect legacy conveyors to modern PLC networks, and the 8-port IO-Link capacity covers typical zone sensors. MTTF of 63 years supports maintenance-free operation across multi-shift facilities.
Recommended
Logistics and Warehouse Automation
In AS/RS and conveyor sorter systems the AL1222 aggregates IO-Link photoelectric, RFID, and encoder devices along each zone, communicating upstream over EtherNet/IP to WCS software. Its compact 208 mm length supports dense mounting in sorter pits and mezzanine structures. Wide operating temperature tolerance supports unheated warehouse environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for AL1222 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | AL1221 | AL1223 | BNI EIP-508-005-Z015 | TBEN-S2-8IOL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | ifm | ifm | ifm | Balluff | Turck |
| Package / Housing | PowerLine housing 208 x 59.3 x 38.4 mm | PowerLine housing 208 x 59.3 x 38.4 mm - same | PowerLine housing 208 x 59.3 x 38.4 mm - same | Balluff IP67 block - different footprint | Turck TBEN IP67 block - different footprint |
| Fieldbus Protocol | EtherNet/IP | PROFINET | Modbus TCP | EtherNet/IP | EtherNet/IP |
| IO-Link Ports | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Ingress Protection | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 | IP67 |
| Mounting Type | Backplane mounting | Backplane mounting | Backplane mounting | Screw mount | Screw mount |
| Connector Style | M12 A-coded power, M12 D-coded Ethernet | M12 A-coded power, M12 D-coded Ethernet - same | M12 A-coded power, M12 D-coded Ethernet - same | M12 A-coded power, M12 D-coded Ethernet - same | M12 A-coded power, M12 D-coded Ethernet - same |
Key Differentiators
- Same-housing multi-protocol flexibility (vs AL1221 / AL1223)
- Long 63-year MTTF reliability (vs TBEN-S2-8IOL)
- Integrated 4 digital inputs (vs BNI EIP-508-005-Z015)
Design Notes
Mount the AL1222 on the ifm PowerLine backplane with adequate strain relief on M12 connectors; allow at least 50 mm cable bend radius to maintain IP67 sealing. daisy-chain 24 V DC power across multiple masters to reduce wiring; total current draw must stay within the upstream power supply rating including connected IO-Link device quiescent loads.
Do not exceed the 4 A per port maximum IO-Link current budget; verify each downstream sensor's V1.0/V1.1 IODD is available before commissioning. According to the ifm datasheet AL1222-01_EN-US.pdf, incorrectly configured IO-Link ports default to SIO (standard IO) mode, which disables bidirectional diagnostics - check master firmware revision matches the IODD library version.
Use shielded Cat 5e or higher M12 D-coded Ethernet cables for EtherNet/IP uplink; keep cable runs under 100 m to avoid signal degradation in electrically noisy industrial environments. Per IEC 61918, install EtherNet/IP cabling away from VFD motor cables by at least 200 mm or use dedicated metallic cable trays for EMC compliance.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per IC Components listing. Industrial EMC compliance per EN 61000-6-2 / EN 61000-6-4. AEC-Q100 not applicable - this is an industrial automation device, not automotive grade.
