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Articles on programming and configuration of Allen Bradley PLCs, from PLC-5 to CompactLogix/ControlLogix.

Allen Bradley, a brand of Rockwell Automation, is the market leader in automation in the Americas. Their controller range spans from the classic PLC-5 and SLC-500 to the modern CompactLogix and ControlLogix, programmed with RSLogix / Studio 5000.

The RSLinx software is the central piece of the Rockwell ecosystem: any communication with an Allen Bradley controller requires configuring a driver in RSLinx (DF1, Ethernet/IP, DH+, ControlNet). Depending on the license (Lite, Professional, Gateway), additional functionalities such as OPC/DDE server are available.

The Logix architecture (CompactLogix, ControlLogix, SoftLogix, FlexLogix) offers unified programming with tags, produced/consumed modules, Add-On Instructions, and a powerful alarm system. In this section we cover everything from basic communication setup to simulations, firmware management, and advanced programming.

RSLinx

Regardless of the PLC, the RSLinx software is essential for configuring the driver and establishing communication with the controller. Depending on the version (Lite, Professional, Gateway, OEM) you get different features such as the OPC/DDE Server.

PLC-5

SLC-500 / Micrologix

Micro830

CompactLogix / ControlLogix / SoftLogix / FlexLogix

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