EPA 2: The new generation of our Ethernet port adapters

Our first generation EPA wireless modules were discontinued in mid 2017 and replaced by the new EPA 2 generation. Along with a new housing design, one common module type is now available for Bluetooth and WLAN. You will find information on the differences between the two generations on this page, and on the respective replacement product for the first EPA generation.

FL EPA at a glance

FL EPA Generation 1	FL EPA Generation 2
FL WLAN EPA (order number 2692791) WLAN 2.4 GHz Internal antenna	FL WLAN EPA 2 (order number 1005955) WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared Internal antenna
FL WLAN EPA 5N (order number 2700488) WLAN 5 GHz Internal antenna	FL WLAN EPA 2 (order number 1005955) WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared Internal antenna
FL WLAN EPA RSMA (order number 2701169) WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz External RSMA antenna connection	FL EPA 2 RSMA (order number 1005957) WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared External RSMA antenna connection
FL BT EPA MP (order number 2701416) BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared External RSMA antenna connection	FL EPA 2 RSMA (order number 1005957) WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared External RSMA antenna connection
FL BT EPA (order number 2692788) BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared Internal antenna	FL BT EPA 2 (order number 1005869) (can also be replaced by FL EPA 2) BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared Internal antenna

FL EPA Generation 1

FL EPA Generation 2

FL WLAN EPA (order number 2692791)

WLAN 2.4 GHz

Internal antenna

FL WLAN EPA 2 (order number 1005955)

WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared

Internal antenna

FL WLAN EPA 5N (order number 2700488)

WLAN 5 GHz

Internal antenna

FL WLAN EPA 2 (order number 1005955)

WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared

Internal antenna

FL WLAN EPA RSMA (order number 2701169)

WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

External RSMA antenna connection

FL EPA 2 RSMA (order number 1005957)

WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared

External RSMA antenna connection

FL BT EPA MP (order number 2701416)

BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared

External RSMA antenna connection

FL EPA 2 RSMA (order number 1005957)

WLAN 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared

External RSMA antenna connection

FL BT EPA (order number 2692788)

BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared

Internal antenna

FL BT EPA 2 (order number 1005869)

(can also be replaced by FL EPA 2)

BLUETOOTH 2.1 + EDR, 4.0 prepared

Internal antenna

Comparison of technical data

	FL EPA Generation 1	FL EPA Generation 2

Housing dimensions	Width: 66 mm, height: 91 mm, depth: 34 mm	Width: 67.08 mm, height: 92.7 mm, depth: 33.2 mm
Product versions	Individual devices for WLAN 2.4GHz, WLAN 5 GHz, Bluetooth	Combined modules for WLAN and Bluetooth
WLAN operating modes	WLAN client / AdHoc	WLAN client / micro access point (max. 7 clients)
Point to point wireless bridge (between two FL EPA modules)	UDP tunnel (layer 2 transparent)	Layer-2 tunnel (not compatible with UDP tunnel, generation 1)
Antenna	Internal antenna, circular-polarized, directional, 5 dBi	Internal antenna, linear-polarized, OMNI, 0.5 to 2 dBi
Transmission power (maximum)	Internal antenna FL WLAN EPA (2.4 GHz): 20 dBm EIRP FL WLAN EPA 5N (5 Ghz): 14 dBm EIRP External antenna (FL WLAN EPA RSMA) WLAN 2.4 GHz: 17 dBm WLAN 5 GHz: 9 dBm Bluetooth FL BT EPA: 15 dBm EIRP FL BT EPA MP: 12 dBm	Internal antenna WLAN 2.4 GHz: 17 dBm EIRP WLAN 5 GHz: 15 dBm EIRP External antenna WLAN 2.4 GHz: 15 dBm WLAN 5 GHz: 15 dBm Bluetooth: Internal antenna: 13 dBm EIRP External antenna: 11 dBm
Receiver sensitivity (maximum)	WLAN 2.4 GHz: -94 dBm WLAN 5 Ghz: -87 dBm Bluetooth : -90 dBm	WLAN 2.4 GHz: -95 dBm WLAN 5 Ghz: -90 dBm Bluetooth: -90 dBm
Maximum range*	WLAN 2.4 GHz: up to 200 m in open spaces, up to 100 m in halls WLAN 5 GHz: up to 100 m in open spaces, up to 50 m in halls Bluetooth: up to 250 m in open spaces, up to 100 m in halls *The range is heavily dependent on the ambient conditions. The ranges specified are the working ranges, and not the maximum achievable ranges. These are normally much higher. In practice, the achievable ranges of both EPA generations should be comparable. In certain applications, the working range of the WLAN EPA 2 may be slightly less in the 2.4 GHz band, but slightly more in the 5 GHz band.	WLAN 2.4 GHz: up to 200 m in open spaces, up to 100 m in halls WLAN 5 GHz: up to 100 m in open spaces, up to 50 m in halls Bluetooth: up to 250 m in open spaces, up to 100 m in halls *The range is heavily dependent on the ambient conditions. The ranges specified are the working ranges, and not the maximum achievable ranges. These are normally much higher. In practice, the achievable ranges of both EPA generations should be comparable. In certain applications, the working range of the WLAN EPA 2 may be slightly less in the 2.4 GHz band, but slightly more in the 5 GHz band.
Operating temperature range	-30°C to 65°C	-30°C to 65°C
IP degree of protection	IP65	IP65
Connections	M12	M12
Power supply	9-30 VDC, max. 1.7 W	9-30 VDC, max. 1.7 W
WLAN channels	2.4 GHz: 1-11, 5 GHz: 36 -140 only Client operating mode EPA 2: 36 – 48 in Access Point operating mode	2.4 GHz: 1-11, 5 GHz: 36 -140 only Client operating mode EPA 2: 36 – 48 in Access Point operating mode
Bluetooth standard	Classic BT: 2.1+EDR, Low energy: 4.0 via AT commands (limited) BT Security: encryption for EPA and EPA 2 incompatible	Classic BT: 2.1+EDR, Low energy: 4.0 via AT commands (limited) BT Security: encryption for EPA and EPA 2 incompatible
Performance	WLAN: max. 20 Mbps Bluetooth: max. 3 Mbps (comparable PROFINET update times, from 16 ms)	WLAN: max. 20 Mbps Bluetooth: max. 3 Mbps (comparable PROFINET update times, from 16 ms)
AT commands	Available (slightly modified syntax as a result of the combined radio technology (WLAN/Bluetooth))	Available (slightly modified syntax as a result of the combined radio technology (WLAN/Bluetooth))
Mode button	Available for easy configuration without PC	Available for easy configuration without PC
Protocols	PROFINET, Ethernet/IP, Modbus/TCP, TCP/IP, UDP/IP, etc.	PROFINET, Ethernet/IP, Modbus/TCP, TCP/IP, UDP/IP, etc.
Approvals	CE (Europe), FCC (US, Canada). UL Ordinay loc. / Hazardous loc. Class 1 Div 2 ICES-003 (Canada)	CE (Europe), FCC (US, Canada). UL Ordinay loc. / Hazardous loc. Class 1 Div 2 ICES-003 (Canada)

Important information for the changeover to the second EPA generation

Please observe the following information when converting the EPA wireless modules:

In the point to point wireless bridge mode, the EPA modules of the second generation are not compatible with the first EPA generation. Combined operation in this operating mode is not possible.
Due to changes in the Bluetooth standard in relation to the security modes, EPA modules of the second generation are not compatible with the EPA modules of the first generation. This means that combined operation of the two EPA generations in Bluetooth mode is not possible with activated security (encryption).

You can access the Industrial Bluetooth products for Ethernet networks here.

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