Quick Takeaways
- Yaskawa says its Network Safety Option Card enables CIP Safety communication over EtherNet/IP for selected AC drive product lines.
- The card supports GA700, GA800 in the U.S., CR700 and GA500 drive series, according to the company announcement.
- Supported safety functions include STO and SS1-t, which buyers should match against the required machine safety architecture.
- For retrofit and new-build projects, the update may affect drive option planning, network layout, commissioning checks and maintenance diagnostics.
Industry Update
Yaskawa Electric Corporation announced a Network Safety Option Card, model JOHB-NSC3-MA, for its AC drive lineup. The company says the option enables CIP Safety communication over EtherNet/IP networks and became available for the listed drive families as of August 31, 2026.
According to Yaskawa, the card supports GA700, GA800 in the U.S., CR700 and GA500 drives. The announcement states that the option provides network-based safety capabilities including STO, or Safe Torque Off, and SS1-t, or Safe Stop 1 with time control.
The company frames the update as a way to reduce separate wiring, engineering work and commissioning time by carrying safety communication over standard industrial Ethernet infrastructure. It also says compatible installed drives can be retrofitted with the option card, depending on the application and drive configuration.
Buyer Considerations
For motor and drive buyers, the practical point is not only the option card itself but the system design around it. A purchasing checklist should confirm the exact drive family, regional availability, firmware or hardware requirements, compatible safety controller, EtherNet/IP network design and the required safety function before specifying the card.
Machine builders should also compare the safety network approach with hardwired safety circuits. Networked safety can reduce wiring complexity, but it shifts more attention to configuration control, diagnostics, validation records and maintenance access for technicians who service the machine later.
For retrofit projects, the announcement is especially relevant when existing AC drives already match the compatible series. Buyers should still verify enclosure space, option-slot availability, documentation, certification requirements and commissioning support before assuming a simple field upgrade.
Motor series to compare for this kind of project.
Universal AC Gear Motors
AC motors and gear motors include single-phase motors used with a single-phase AC power supply and three-phase motors...
View series
DC Worm Gear Motors
Easty’Worm Gear Motors are designed to generate high torque in a small package size. Worm Gear Motors are great for...
View series
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Yaskawa drive families are named in the announcement?
Yaskawa names GA700, GA800 in the U.S., CR700 and GA500 drive series as supported families for the Network Safety Option Card.
What safety functions does the card support?
The announcement lists STO, or Safe Torque Off, and SS1-t, or Safe Stop 1 with time control, while buyers should confirm the required safety level and configuration for each machine.
Why does EtherNet/IP safety communication matter for AC drive buyers?
It can reduce separate safety wiring and make safety-device status available on the network, but it also requires careful controller compatibility, setup, validation and maintenance planning.
Can the card be used for existing installed drives?
Yaskawa says the option can be retrofitted to compatible AC drives already installed in the field, so buyers should verify the exact model, option-slot status and local support path.
Source
This article summarizes publicly available source information. Confirm technical details, pricing and compliance requirements with the original source before making purchasing decisions.
Source date: 2026-10-09