Navigating the CompactLogix controller family

CompactLogix embodies a wide-ranging series of controller solutions, which can be a challenge to navigate for those who are new to the platform. CompactLogix controllers represent a low-cost solution for industrial automation problems that still have the power of the Studio 5000 development environment behind them. CompactLogix controllers come in many different fit-for-purpose form factors that we will detail in this chapter.

There are more factors to consider when selecting a CompactLogix controller due to their modular nature and the wide range of form factors available, such as the following:

• Supported Logix Designer software versions
• Cabinet size restrictions
• CompactLogix form factors/I/O module scalability
• Processing requirements of your current application and future expansion
• Memory requirements of your current application and future expansion

The CompactLogix product line is broken down into the following five categories:

• 1768 CompactLogix controllers
• 1769 CompactLogix L3x controllers
• 1769 CompactLogix 5370 controllers
• 5069 CompactLogix 5380 controllers
• 5069 CompactLogix 5480 controllers

The various model numbers for CompactLogix don't follow an incremental model numbering scheme, which is often a point of confusion.

The following CompactLogix controller table illustrates the release timeline of the various CompactLogix controller model numbers:

Bulletin 1768 CompactLogix controllers (no longer supported by Rockwell Automation):

Bulletin 5069 CompactLogix 5380 controllers:

It is also important to consider that some of the CompactLogix 5370 controllers are slated as direct replacements for some of the older CompactLogix controllers (although the older controllers are still available for purchase):

• 5370 1769-L24 replaces 1769-L23.
• 5370 1769-L3x replaces 1769-L3x.

In the next section, we will explore the various CompactLogix deprecated controller series.