Allen-Bradley Controls, Network & Software
Designed as a resource site for the market-leading Allen-Bradley range of PLCs and PACs, we will keep you up to date with product developments, tips and tricks and helpful utilities to solve your problems.
The site will include legacy platforms like SLC500 and PLC5, as well as the whole range of current models from Micro800 and MicroLogix, to CompactLogix and ControlLogix. We will identify omissions in the feature list as well as inclusions – it’s the things that are not said in the brochures that are often the important bits.
Disclaimer. This site is a resource site and is not affiliated with Rockwell Automation. We are NOT Allen-Bradley, we are not a distributor of product nor of engineering nor product support services. We do not purport to represent Allen-Bradley. We are independent engineers who have used the brand for over 40 years and wish to share our experiences, good and bad.
Latest developments across the range are as follows.
PointMax IO – The new generation of remote IO for performance and scalability. With a smaller cabinet footprint, high IO density and DLR capable, the Bulletin 5034 PointMax IO range is designed to replace 'standard' 1734 Point IO, which was released in 1999, though the EtherNet/IP adapter and a full…
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Stratix Industrial ethernet network switches based on a Cisco engine. Fanless design and GUI for configuration of common features.
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The Rockwell Automation ControlLogix 5580 (L8) series of PLCs are high-performance controllers designed for complex automation systems. They offer advanced processing capabilities, integrated safety features, and high-speed communication, making them ideal for large-scale, fast-paced applications using multiple programming languages.
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Since launching in 2003, the Bulletin 1606 power supply range has been the industry innovator in reliable industrial DC power supplies.
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Launched in October 2025, the new ControlLogix 5590 L9 CPU is a stunning development providing dual network ports, expanded memory, faster processing, and embedded safety.
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Rockwell Automation’s CompactLogix PLC 5069 and 1769 ranges offer scalable and high-performance control solutions for small to medium-sized automation applications. These controllers are part of the integrated Logix platform, providing a seamless experience with motion control, safety, and I/O in one system.
View moreAllen-Bradley Automation Product Summary
ControlLogix
The platform has been developed steadily since launching in 1998. In 2025, the current range is the model 5590 with firmware version V38. These provide increased performance, capacity, productivity, and security to support the most demanding applications. Further, they have Integrated Motion over EtherNet/IP for high-speed motion applications (now up to 512 axes!), as well as SIL 2/PLd and SIL 3/PLe safety solutions. Read more about ControlLogix here.
CompactLogix
It is hard to keep up with developments in the little brother of the ControlLogix – the CompactLogix. The model 5480 is the latest, featuring the same engine as the 5580 ControlLogix, but featuring a Windows 10 IoT Enterprise OS running alongside the Logix control engine. With limitations in IO, connections and motion axes that confine it to mid-sized applications compared to ControlLogix, it still covers a lot of ground. Get the full CompactLogix story here.
Network Switching
Rockwell Automation partnered with Cisco in 2012 to release the Stratix range of industrial ethernet switches. This replaced a long-standing relationship between Rockwell and Hirschmann, a German manufacturer of true industrial ethernet switches that had been developed from the ground up for use by engineers not IT wonks!
We are not impressed with this range at all, for reasons found within.
Get product details for Allen-Bradley Stratix Network Switches here.….
MicroLogix
Now regretably out of support, the economically priced and powerful MicroLogix range is still a popular selection for small applications from air conditioning, materials handling, batch operations and water treatment plants, especially for those invested in RSLogix 500. You just have to find the hardware on the second-hand market.
Earlier models did not have Ethernet ports nor online programming, so we favour only the 1100 and 1400 range. These models have a serial port as well as the RJ45 for EtherNet/IP.
Micro800 PLC
A newer range than the MicroLogix, Micro800 is a modular platform that scales to accommodate medium sized applications such as stand-alone machines. Using Connected Components Workbench Software instead of RSLogix, this range provides advanced functions such as user-defined functions (UDFs) and user-defined function blocks (UDFBs) for coding and commissioning time economies Get product details for Allen-Bradley Micro800 here.
Software
More than just RSLogix / Design Studio, Rockwell have a full suite of development, analysis, simulation and now AI-capable design tools. Click here for Software product details..
SoftLogix
Now in Mature Active stage, the model 5800 SoftLogix controller never really caught on and is going the way of the Boeing 747! Get product details for Softlogix here..