MicroLogix 1000 vs. MicroLogix 1100

MicroLogix Controllers Overview 

Allen-Bradley’s MicroLogix™ is a family of small Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) designed and built by Rockwell Automation. MicroLogix PLCs offer remarkable control capabilities for small-scale automation applications that require large I/O counts, advanced communication solutions, and process control. This MicroLogix™ family provides five levels of control including:

• MicroLogix 1000 under Allen-Bradley’s Bulletin 1761: This series is described as low cost, ultra-compact with fixed I/O points. 
• MicroLogix 1200-Bulletin 1762: This series is small-sized, expandable, scalable, and has an upgradeable operating system.  
• MicroLogix 1500-Bulletin 1764: It’s a modular, high performance controller series with a highly expandable design that helps you attain high-level control in a variety of industrial applications. 
• MicroLogix 1100-Bulletin 1763: Controllers within this series include Ethernet ports, embedded analog I/O, an onboard LCD screen, and online editing functionality. 
• MicroLogix 1400-Bulletin 1766: The series adds more expandability, pulse train, and high-speed counter to the MicroLogix™ family. 

MicroLogix 1000 is the oldest version of Allen-Bradley’s MicroLogix™ series of programmable controllers. It’s also the least expensive and most limited in terms of control capabilities. While the MicroLogix 1100 series is the current entry-point into the family; further enhancing the application coverage and connectivity of MicroLogix™ controllers with advanced new features in a small footprint and cost-effective package. With that in mind, in this article, we’ll compare the features and control capabilities of MicroLogix 1000 and MicroLogix 1100 controllers.

MicroLogix 1000 Controllers

The MicroLogix 1000 controllers by Allen-Bradley offer control capabilities in a compact and affordable package. This controller series brings powerful programming instructions, high processor speed, and flexible communication options. Its architecture is similar to that of the SLC 500 controller family.

Features and Benefits of MicroLogix 1000 Controllers 

• 1 KB (Kilobyte) preconfigured memory for both User Program and User Data memory, which eases controller configuration. The preconfigured data includes counters, timers, bits, and integers. 
• High-speed processors that provide a typical throughput time of 1.5 ms (millisecond), in the case of a PLC program with a 500-instruction set. 
• Non-volatile storage through a built-in EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The EEPROM memory retains the user-defined PLC program and data in the event of power loss, eliminating the need for a separate memory module or battery backup. 
• Multiple common inputs allow users to connect a MicroLogix 1000 controller to either sourcing or sinking field input devices. And multiple common outputs that provide isolation in applications with multi-voltage outputs. 
• RS-232 serial communication channel that allows for simple connectivity to a programming device like a laptop, for program upload, monitoring, or download using multiple serial protocols such as DF1 full-duplex. 
• RTU slave protocol supporting DF1 half-duplex that can allow a maximum of 254 slave nodes for communication with a single RTU master, using either satellite uplinks, leased-line modems, or radio modems. 
• Peer-to-peer messaging capabilities enable users to network up to 32 MicroLogix 1000 controllers on the DH-485 network, using an AIC+ Advanced Interface Converter like the 1761-NET-AIC communication module. 
• Advanced communication networks include EtherNet/IP through the 1761-NET-ENI communication interface module, and DeviceNet via the 1761-NET-DNI module. 
• Several controller models with 24V DC inputs also include a built-in, 6.6 kHz high-speed counter. 
• Adjustable DC (Direct Current) input filters, which you can use to customize the noise rejection capacity and response time of the controller inputs to meet your application needs. 
• Regulatory agency certifications that are recognized in the global PLC market, including CE, UL, C-Tick, and c-UL for Class 1, Division 2 Hazardous industrial environments. 

MicroLogix 1100 Controllers 

Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1100 controllers maintain the key features of the MicroLogix family and expand that capability by including a built-in 10/100 Mbps EtherNet/IP port, LCD screen display, and a true online editing feature. They are designed to extend the connectivity and application coverage of MicroLogix controllers through Ethernet communications, visualization capabilities, and embedded analog inputs. They also complement low-end MicroLogix 1000 and 1200 controllers for control applications requiring up to 144 discrete I/O.

Key Features 

All controllers within the MicroLogix 1100 series include the following features:

• A Built-in EtherNet/IP port supporting either 10Mbps or 100 Mbps peer-to-peer messaging. This port provides users with high-speed EtherNet/IP connectivity between MicroLogix controllers. You can also access, program, and monitor the connected controllers via the port, from anywhere the Ethernet connectivity is available. 
• An Online editing functionality that allows users to make modifications to the PLC program while it’s still running. It’s thus possible to fine-tune an operating control system including PID loops. This not only reduces development time but also assists in troubleshooting. 
• An embedded Web server that enables users to customize a controller’s configuration data, which is then displayed as a web page. 
• A built-in isolated RS-232/RS-485 combo port that provides a host of different networked and open point-to-point communication protocols. 
• A next-generation embedded LCD display screen, enables operators to interact with the PLC control program, monitor control data, and modify that data if necessary. The screen displays the controller status, the status of embedded digital I/O, and simple operator messages. It also provides digital trim pot functionality, in addition to allowing users to manipulate the stored bit and integer data. 

Additional MicroLogix 1100 Features

• Controllers with DC inputs include a 40 kHz (kilo-Hertz) High-Speed Counter module. 
• Controllers with DC outputs include two high-speed Pulse Train Outputs (PTO)/Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) outputs rated at 40 kHz  
• Two embedded non-isolated analog inputs, with a DC supply voltage of 0…10V DC and a 10-bit resolution. 
• A simple human-machine interface for bit/integer input and messages. 
• 4KB (Kilobyte) user program memory and 4KB user word data memory. 
• A maximum of 128K bytes used for data logging and up to 64K bytes for recipe storage.

Benefits of MicroLogix 1100 Controllers 

• Large user memory of 8KB (subdivided into 4 KB user program and 4 KB user data) for solving a wide range of industrial control applications. 
• The online editing functionality allows for the tuning of programs, including PID loops, without the need to go offline.
• Each MicroLogix 1100 controller includes a three Mode switch for Run/Program/Remote. 
• They offer a separate 128K byte memory storage for controller data records of event-triggered and time-based data logging, with an optional timestamp. The records can then be accessed later for analysis. For example, during an alarm condition, an operator can retrieve the trending and I/O status data for analysis. 
• Up to 64K bytes of memory deducted from the data logging memory is used for recipe storage. It allows changes to be made more easily and quickly on program batches for counters, timers, and other different data types. You can access the recipe storage memory through a user-defined PLC program-mainly a ladder logic program. 
• All other MicroLogix 1100 controllers except the 1763-L16AWA model, have four 20 kHz high-speed inputs that can be used individually as event interrupts, pulse-catch (latching) inputs, or combined in an alternating manner as a single 40 kHz high-speed counter that features 8 modes of operation. 
• Support for up to four 1762 expansion I/O modules in any combination.  

What Differentiates MicroLogix 1100 from MicroLogix 1000? 

A) Memory Capacity

MicroLogix 1000 controllers provide a smaller capacity for user memory, amounting to 1 KB (Kilobyte) of preconfigured memory for both user data and program memory. However, the MicroLogix 1100 controller series offers a larger size of user memory of up to 8KB (Kilobytes), which is subdivided into 4 KB of user data and 4 KB of user program memory. In addition to the user memory, MicroLogix 1100 controllers also provide up to 64K bytes of memory for recipe storage and a maximum of 128K bytes for data logging.

In the MicroLogix 1000 controller series, non-volatile program and data storage are provided by the built-in EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). But MicroLogix 1100 controllers have a battery backup static RAM with the same functionality as EEPROM.

B) Memory Modules

For program back-ups and transport, MicroLogix 1000 is compatible with Allen-Bradley’s 1761-HHM-K64 Hand-Held Programmer (HHP) memory module. This is a cartridge-type 64K bytes memory module that’s installed inside the memory slot of the HHP. It provides a non-volatile storage area with a capacity to store up to 8 user programs.

On the other hand, the MicroLogix 1100 series is compatible with the 1763-MM1 memory module by Allen-Bradley. This module is inserted in the controller’s memory module port. It provides a removable memory backup for both user program and user data memory. It’s also used as a means of transporting user-defined PLC programs between MicroLogix 1100 controllers. Moreover, with the 1763-MM1 module, you can auto-recover controller data in case of faults, and it has a Removal and Insertion Under Power (RIUP) feature. The module also provides additional security/safety for onboard PLC program backups, especially in critical applications like press controllers.

C) Communication Options

Both MicroLogix 1100 and MicroLogix 1000 controllers provide at least one enhanced built-in RS-232C serial port, which supports DH-485 protocols, DF1 Full-Duplex, and DF1 Half-Duplex Slave protocols. The two controller series also supports communication with programming devices such as personal computers, operator interfaces like the Allen-Bradley PanelView devices, and other MicroLogix controllers through Ethernet and DeviceNet networks, as well as via SCADA and open point-to-point protocols.

However, in addition to the aforementioned communication options, MicroLogix 1100 controllers provide built-in Modbus RTU Slave and Master protocols. They also offer DF1 Radio Modem and DF1 Half-Duplex Master protocols, as well as Full read/, write ASCII capabilities. Moreover, the MicroLogix 1100 provides an embedded 10/100 Mbps EtherNet/IP port used for high-speed peer-to-peer messaging.

D) I/O Capabilities

MicroLogix 1000 controllers are available with either 32-point, 16-point, or 10-point digital I/O versions. The Analog I/O versions provide 4 analog inputs (2 current inputs and 2 voltage inputs), 1 configurable analog output (for either current or voltage), and 20 digital AC Input/Output points. The MicroLogix 1000 analog I/O circuitry is embedded into the controller’s base and it cannot be accomplished through add-on analog I/O modules. The controller is thus capable of providing high-speed analog performance at an affordable price.

On the contrary, there are 2 embedded analog inputs, 10 digital inputs, and 6 digital outputs on each MicroLogix 1100 controller. The controller versions with DC inputs have a 40 kHz (kilo-Hertz) High-Speed Counter (HSC) module. While MicroLogix 1100 controller versions with DC outputs have two high-speed (40 kHz) PTO/PWM (Pulse Train Outputs and Pulse Width Modulated) outputs. The additional HSC and PTO/PWM modules enable MicroLogix 1100 controllers to support simple motion capabilities.

E) Expansion I/O Modules

MicroLogix 1100 controllers support expansion I/O, with the ability to add analog, digital, thermocouple, and RTD (Resistive Temperature Device) expansion modules. However, MicroLogix 1000 controllers don’t support any Local, Thermocouple/RTD, or Networked Expansion I/O; instead, they only have embedded analog and digital I/O. But each MicroLogix 1100 controller can support up to four (4) 1762 expansion I/O modules that can be added to the embedded I/O, providing support and application flexibility for up to 144 digital I/O modules. This allows users to customize such controllers to meet their application needs.

Note: Even though the Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1100 controllers are under Bulletin 1763, they are compatible with expansion I/O modules with a Bulletin number of 1762.

F) Power Supply and I/O Configuration

The controller models available within MicroLogix 1100 series and MicroLogix 1000 series differ by I/O types and supply power. For example, a MicroLogix 1100 or MicroLogix 1000 controller model can be classified as either having a 120/240V AC or 24V DC power supply. The following tables outline the available MicroLogix 1000 and MicroLogix 1100 controller models, their supply power, and embedded I/O configuration.

Table 1: MicroLogix 1000 Controller Models 

Table 2: MicroLogix 1100 Controller Models 

G) Applications

MicroLogix 1000 controllers are well suited for applications that require compact, cost-effective control solutions including custom machinery, building controls, material fluid handling, burners, furnaces, dryers, food processing, civil engineering, metalworking, and specialized industrial machinery like packaging applications.

In contrast, MicroLogix 1100 controllers are ideal for a wide variety of industrial control applications. But they are particularly best suited to meet the needs of the following applications: material handling, packaging machinery, and SCADA RTU (a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system with several Remote terminal Units). Also, with their greater memory capacity for recipe storage and data logging, MicroLogix 1100 controllers are ideal for remote monitoring and memory-intensive applications that require limited I/O.

This entry was posted on April 5th, 2022 and is filed under Allen-Bradley, Hardware Comparison, Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.