Flex I/O

adownes · May 9, 2016

Hi all, does anybody know if its possible to use ABB flex I/O with Rockwell Logix?

brendan.buchan · May 9, 2016

Do you mean using Allen-Bradley Flex IO (by Rockwell Automation) with Allen-Bradley Logix controllers (by Rockwell Automation)?

Yes, this is 'possible'. Well actually, they were designed to work with each other.

If you post your exact part numbers (PLC, and FLEX IO communication adapter) people can help in more detail.

adownes · May 9, 2016

Hi Brendan, thanks for the advice. First time using the forum. Actually I meant the manufacturer ABB, flex I/O. This is to be used with any Allen Bradley Logix Controllers in general. Type of flex I/O is S200-OB16P.

JohnCalderwood · May 9, 2016

https://library.e.abb.com/public/9b...01_A_en_S200_I_O_System_Units__Data_Sheet.pdf

are these the ones?

They look exactly the same as Rockwell Flex...

Google searches only show them available on ebay etc, so I take it you have some already and are trying to use them?

I cannot find anything showing the I/O adapters that would connect them to the PLC.

adownes · May 9, 2016

Hi John, yes they are the ones, they are already installed on site . The ABB Control Net Comms Module is to be replaced with a Rockwell Ethernet Module. I just need to verify that the IO modules operate correctly with L7 series controllers. I wont physically be able to do this until I go to site so for now I am just hoping someone can verify that this is possible??

AustralIan · May 9, 2016

Edit: clarification question already answered.

adownes · May 9, 2016

I mean to add it as remote I/O using the 1794-AENTR to a ControlLogix. The I/O remains ABB, but the communication adapter changes to Allen Bradley..

brendan.buchan · May 9, 2016

Ahh, I have never heard of ABB 'FLEX' IO and did a quick Google but nothing came up. Complete part numbers always tell the full story though.

These S200 series modules seem to have the same suffix as their Allen-Bradley counterparts, eg. -IB16, -OB16 so they could indeed be exactly the same hardware under the sticker. I have no first hand knowledge of whether they will work, sorry.

All I can suggest is that it may be possible to get these to work by adding them as the normal Allen-Bradley variant and then by disabling the electronic keying in the module configuration although this is not recommended practice.

See the following tech note:
https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/64318

Knowledgebase said:
Disabled Keying indicates the keying attributes are not considered when attempting to communicate with a module. Other attributes, such as data size and format, are considered and must be acceptable before I/O communication is established. With Disabled Keying, I/O communication may occur with a module other than the type specified in the I/O Configuration tree with unpredictable results. We generally do not recommend using Disabled Keying.

adownes · May 9, 2016

Thanks Brendan, This is 1 of the flex I/O module's.

http://www.abb.com/productdetails/ABB.ALFALAVAL490176097

I think you are correct that they are the same as the Allen Bradley counterparts, I was just worried about firmware, but you answered that above with your technote.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me.

Best Regards Aidan

Friedrich · May 9, 2016

It should be possible. We did the other way around, we used Allen Bradley Flex IO's with ABB's 200 back in the day.
From what I've heard the only thing that differs between Flex and 200 is the CPU.

adownes · May 10, 2016

Thanks Friedrich

Flex I/O

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