Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
(OP)
Hello,
I have been programming for many years, and I have been using AB MicroLogix PLCs for several. On several occasions in the recent past I have had salesmen try to get me to switch to ControlLogix. The price difference between these two families is tremendous. A ControlLogix CPU would cost many times what a Micrologix CPU would. And that does not take into account the software.
A Micrologix1400 would cost me around $700 plus programming time. With that PLC I could handle any digital I/O, any type of analog I/O, data logging, messaging to other PLCs and VFDs, and a decent range of math functions. In fact, the only shortcoming I find with the 1400 is that doing any complicated math is tedious.
If I were to purchase a ControlLogix processor for the same project, it would cost more than $5000.
Can someone tell me what I would gain by switching to a ControlLogix CPU?
I have been programming for many years, and I have been using AB MicroLogix PLCs for several. On several occasions in the recent past I have had salesmen try to get me to switch to ControlLogix. The price difference between these two families is tremendous. A ControlLogix CPU would cost many times what a Micrologix CPU would. And that does not take into account the software.
A Micrologix1400 would cost me around $700 plus programming time. With that PLC I could handle any digital I/O, any type of analog I/O, data logging, messaging to other PLCs and VFDs, and a decent range of math functions. In fact, the only shortcoming I find with the 1400 is that doing any complicated math is tedious.
If I were to purchase a ControlLogix processor for the same project, it would cost more than $5000.
Can someone tell me what I would gain by switching to a ControlLogix CPU?





RE: Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
RE: Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
About 2 months after completing the project the AB Sales rep was in plant and the Plant Manager showed him his "new" system. The AB Sales rep imediately proceeded to tell him the MicroLogix for a poor choice for his system and that a ControlLogix or CompactLogix based system would have been more suitable. So even though I had been using this platform successfully for a number of years, it is not longer "suitable".
If you are happy with the performance of you MicroLogix, it handles the I/O you need for you system, and you can meet you programming needs with it, I see no benefit to change platforms, unless you have lots of spare dollars.
Sure, there are some pretty neat things you can do in RSLogix 5k you can't do on other platforms, but do you need a racehorse to pull a milkwagon?
My 2.5 cents worth,
Mike L.
RE: Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
That being said, it's all about what you are using it for. I have used both successfully in differently scaled projects.
RE: Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
RE: Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
When you get down to it, it seems that all you are saving is the programming time, which is significant. But on a project of less than 50 I/O, it seems like using a semi-truck to go grocery shopping.
RE: Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
I'm still a fairly big user of the MicroLogix, they still serve my uses well, and I can setup a customer with the RSLogix500 Starter software for about $600 if they need to do anything with it.
Mike L.
RE: Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
Compactlogix plc
Contrologix PLC or PAC High dollar (mac truck at grocery store as someone pointed out)
flexlogic plc
softlogix pc
drivelogix vfd
guardlogix plc or safety
maybe flexlogix would be the low ball plc might fit your needs.
RE: Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs
Many Technicians, Engineers, Designers, etc., are complacant in thier careers, and may not serve the 'larger' effort. In many cases, sales people have exposure to what is possible along with industry trending.
If your mandate is to mitigate expense, so be it, but if a salesperson can assist in elevating one's career while providing for a company's needs, I'm on board.
RE: Control Logix versus Micro Logix PLCs