Welcome to The Automation Blog’s Micro800 Content Guide which is an ordered list of all of our Micro800 articles and videos.

Below you’ll find over 85 of our free articles and videos listed with thumbnails and excerpts. If you’d prefer a listing of titles only, click here.

Note: Our Micro800 Online course, Nano Basics, is available here.


  • How To Find Your Local Rockwell Distributor or RepresentativeHow To Find Your Local Rockwell Distributor or Representative
    A common question my students ask is about who should they call to purchase Allen-Bradley Software and Hardware. To address this I send them a link to Rockwell’s website, which will allow them to look up their local Rockwell representative or distributor. These reps can help them with the following services: Provide demo copies of software either ...
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  • How To Find Your Local Rockwell Distributor or Representative (M4E17)How To Find Your Local Rockwell Distributor or Representative (M4E17)
    In this episode I show you how to use the new and improved webpage to find your local Rockwell distributors (Episode 17 of The Automation Minute Season 4:) If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just ...
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  • Beginner’s PLCBeginner's PLC
    So you’re new to the world of PLC’s (Programmable Logic Controllers) and are looking to buy a beginner’s PLC to work with at home. I’m going to assume you’re on a budget, so getting the most “bang for your buck” will be important. You also may not own a 24vdc power supply, so it’s probably going to be ...
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  • Getting Started With Programmable Controllers (PLC)Getting Started With Programmable Controllers (PLC)
    I often get asked what is the best way to learn how to program PLC’s? In my opinion, there’s nothing like first hand experience. Therefore, I always recommend buying a small Micro PLC to use at home as the best way to learn. But then comes the obvious next questions: Which Micro? What software will I need? Are there any ...
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  • Small Allen-Bradley (A-B) Ethernet Programmable ControllersSmall Allen-Bradley (A-B) Ethernet Programmable Controllers
    Today, Ethernet is the network of choice for automation systems. In years past, Ethernet was an expensive and costly add-on. However, more and more small programmable controllers are now coming with Ethernet as standard. Below we’ll cover what is available today for small Ethernet Programmable Controllers from Allen-Bradley. Micro820 and 850 If you’re new to programmable controllers, or just new to ...
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  • Micro810 (M2E04)Micro810 (M2E04)
    In The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 4, Shawn Tierney unboxes an Allen-Bradley Micro 810.
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  • Micro810 – USB Adapter (M2E06)Micro810 - USB Adapter (M2E06)
    In The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 6, Shawn Tierney unboxes and installs an Allen-Bradley Micro 810 USB Adapter.
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  • Micro810 – LCD Display (M2E05)Micro810 - LCD Display (M2E05)
    In The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 5, Shawn Tierney unboxes and installs an Allen-Bradley Micro 810 LCD Display.
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  • Micro820 (M2E09)Micro820 (M2E09)
    In The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 9, Shawn Tierney unboxes an Allen-Bradley Micro820.
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  • Micro820 – An A-B Ethernet PLC for $250?Micro820 - An A-B Ethernet PLC for $250?
    Ears perk up when I mention Rockwell released an Ethernet PLC with a list price of $249. And surprisingly, there is a much interest in using it for home projects as there is for using it to automate small machines. There’s no doubt about it, the “Micro820” PLC is, well small: It has just 20 points of I/O built-in ...
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  • Micro830 (M2E07)Micro830 (M2E07)
    In The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 7, Shawn Tierney unboxes an Allen-Bradley Micro830.
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  • Micro850 – Starter Pack (M2E10)Micro850 - Starter Pack (M2E10)
    In The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 10, Shawn Tierney unboxes an Allen-Bradley Micro850 Starter Pack.
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  • Micro 870 – New, Larger Micro800 ControllerMicro 870 - New, Larger Micro800 Controller
    Welcome to part five of the nine part series covering my choices for the top new PLC and HMI products shown at Rockwell’s Automation Fair 2017. Note: While this series covers the products in which I’m most interested, you’ll find all the new products listed in Rockwell’s guide HERE. The New Micro 870: Due out in February 2018, ...
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  • Micro800, MicroLogix – Support for HSC and PTO FunctionsMicro800, MicroLogix - Support for HSC and PTO Functions
    Recently, a client asked me which A-B Micro PLC’s supported HSC and PTO functions, as well as how fast each is. Below is the results of my research: Note: The below are best case based on choosing the DC I/O model of the Micro with the most high speed digital inputs and outputs. Micro800 family support for PTO ...
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  • Micro800 – Plug-in I/O (M2E08)Micro800 - Plug-in I/O (M2E08)
    In The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 8, Shawn Tierney unboxes and installs a Spectrum Controls I/O module into an Allen-Bradley Micro830.
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  • Micro800 – Plug-in and Expansion I/O (M3E52)Micro800 - Plug-in and Expansion I/O (M3E52)
    Learn what comes in the box & how to install Micro800 plug-in & expansion I/O in Episode 52 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • CCW – Where can you download a free copy of Connected Components Workbench?CCW - Where can you download a free copy of Connected Components Workbench?
    So you’ve heard about Rockwell’s new line of low cost Micro PLCs, and now want to get your hands on the free software to check it out? Well it’s as simple as following these steps: Step 1) Navigate your web browser to www.ab.com, which will redirect you to ab.rockwellautomation.com: Step 2) Then click on the Compatibility & Downloads ...
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  • CCW – How to download Connected Components Workbench for free in 2023 (T003)CCW - How to download Connected Components Workbench for free in 2023 (T003)
    Note: If you need help learning to use CCW with the Micro800 line of PLCs, check out my Five-Star rated Micro800 Nano Basics online course. It comes with support and never expires. Automation Tech Tip Video: Article: How to download Connected Components Workbench Step 1) Navigate to www.ab.com: Step 2) Select “Support” from the Top Menu of Rockwell’s ...
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  • CCW – How to Download a free copy of Connected Components Workbench in 2017 (M3E20)CCW - How to Download a free copy of Connected Components Workbench in 2017 (M3E20)
    Learn where and how to download a free copy of Connected Components Workbench in Episode 20 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • CCW – Support for Windows XP / 7 / 8CCW - Support for Windows XP / 7 / 8
    Last week in this article I discussed how to use Rockwell’s PCDC webpage to look up the compatibility of Rockwell Software packages with Microsoft Windows operating systems. In today’s article we’ll take a look at the results for Connected Components Workbench, also known as CCW: CCW compatibility with Windows XP: In the above screen shot of Rockwell’s PCDC webpage ...
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  • RSLinx Classic – Plug and Play Drivers used with Allen-Bradley DevicesRSLinx Classic - Plug and Play Drivers used with Allen-Bradley Devices
    Plug and Play comes to the world of Allen-Bradley Industrial Automation. With a fairly recent copy of the free RSLinx Classic Lite, and A-B devices with USB ports, you simply plug the A-B USB product into your PC using a standard USB cable, and RSLinx automatically adds a driver to connect to the device. This might not seem like ...
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  • Micro800, RSLinx Classic – How To Setup USB CommunicationsMicro800, RSLinx Classic - How To Setup USB Communications
    Rockwell’s Micro830 and 850 have convenient USB programming ports built in, and an optional USB programming port can be added to Micro810 and 820. In today’s article I’ll show you how to setup communications to those USB programming ports, as well as how to avoid some common issues. Preface: Before plugging your Micro800 into your PC via USB, be ...
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  • Micro800, RSLinx Classic – How To Setup USB Communications (M3E42)Micro800, RSLinx Classic - How To Setup USB Communications (M3E42)
    Learn how to setup Micro800 USB communications in Episode 42 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • Micro800, RSLinx Classic – How To Setup Ethernet CommunicationsMicro800, RSLinx Classic - How To Setup Ethernet Communications
    To program Rockwell’s Micro820 and Micro850 over Ethernet you first need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic’s Ethernet drivers, and in today’s article I’ll show you step-by-step how to do just that. Preface: Before proceeding it’s a good idea to insure that the installed copy of RSLinx Classic is at least as new as your Micro800, ...
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  • Micro800, RSLinx Classic – How To Setup Ethernet Communications (M3E44)Micro800, RSLinx Classic - How To Setup Ethernet Communications (M3E44)
    Learn how to communicate with your Micro800 using Ethernet and RSLinx in Episode 44 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • Micro800, BOOTP, CCW – How To Set The Ethernet AddressMicro800, BOOTP, CCW - How To Set The Ethernet Address
    Rockwell’s Micro820 and Micro850 both have built-on Ethernet communication ports, and in today’s article I’ll show you two ways to assign these ports an Ethernet Address. Preface: The first procedure below requires RSLinx Classic, and the second also requires Connected Components Workbench, both of which you can learn how to download in our previous article, Download a ...
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  • Micro800, BOOTP, CCW – How To Set The Ethernet Address (M3E43)Micro800, BOOTP, CCW - How To Set The Ethernet Address (M3E43)
    Learn how to assign your Micro800 an Ethernet address using BootP-DHCP or USB in Episode 43 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • Ethernet – How to “Ping” a PLCEthernet - How to "Ping" a PLC
    PLCs of all shapes and sizes now come with Ethernet communications built-in. And one of the easiest ways to insure you have network connectivity between your PC and PLC (or other device) is to “Ping” it. In today’s article I’ll walk you through the simple steps needed to quickly “Ping” your PLC to see if you do ...
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  • CCW – How to use the free Micro800 SimulatorCCW - How to use the free Micro800 Simulator
    In today’s article we’ll cover how to use the new Micro800 Simulator that comes with CCW 12, including how to work around a few common issues you may run into: First, what is the Micro800 Sim? Below is the official description of the Micro800 Simulator from the CCW release notes : Step 1) To get started, first open ...
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  • CCW – How to use the free Micro800 Simulator (T004)CCW - How to use the free Micro800 Simulator (T004)
    In this edition of Automation Tech Tips I walk through how to use the free PLC Simulator for the Micro800 that comes with CCW. For the written version of this video, click here. Note: If you need help learning to use CCW with the Micro800 line of PLCs, check out my Five-Star rated Micro800 Nano Basics ...
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  • VMware – Settings that work with RSLinx, ControlFlash, and BOOTPVMware - Settings that work with RSLinx, ControlFlash, and BOOTP
    In today’s article I’ll show the you the VMware Workstation settings I used to allow BOOTP, RSLinx, and ControlFlash to work. Part 1: VMware Workstation Network Connection Setting Step 1) Open the VMware Settings for your Virtual Machine While there are many ways to open the VMware Workstation settings for a Virtual Machine (VM,) the way I access them is to right click ...
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  • VMware – Settings that work with RSLinx, ControlFlash, BOOTP (M2E18)VMware - Settings that work with RSLinx, ControlFlash, BOOTP (M2E18)
    See the VMware Workstation settings Shawn used with RSLinx, ControlFlash, BOOTP in episode 18 of The Automation Minute Season 2.
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  • Micro800 – “How To” Videos from Allen-Bradley Part 1Micro800 - "How To" Videos from Allen-Bradley Part 1
    When Rockwell released it’s new Micro800 PLC and the Connected Component Workbench (CCW) programming software, it knew that new users were going to need some help getting to know how to program this new product. With that in mind Rockwell created dozens of “How To” videos for the Micro800, and in this the first of a ...
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  • Micro800 – “How To” Videos from Allen-Bradley Part 2Micro800 - "How To" Videos from Allen-Bradley Part 2
    Today in part two of our three part series we’ll list the beginner Micro800 Family “How To” Videos Rockwell has posted to YouTube.com. Introductions to the Micro800 Family Allen-Bradley Micro810 Introductory Video by ROKAutomation Thomas Sugimoto, Global Marketing Manager of Micro800 Controllers introduces the features and benefits of engaging Micro810 controller for your applications. Allen-Bradley Micro830 Introductory Video by ROKAutomation Thomas Sugimoto, Global Marketing Manager of ...
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  • Micro800 – “How To” Videos from Allen-Bradley Part 3Micro800 - "How To" Videos from Allen-Bradley Part 3
    Today in the final part of our three part series, we’ll list the beginner Micro800 Family “How To” Videos Rockwell has posted to YouTube.com. Using Advanced Instructions In Ladder Logic / Ladder Diagram Micro800 Programming – Use LOG Instruction in Ladder Diagram Program by ROKAutomation How to use Connected Components Workbench software for LOG instruction in ladder diagram program. Micro800 Programming – Use EXPT Instruction in ...
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  • Micro800, CCW – Program Structure: How Programs, Variables differ from other A-B PLCsMicro800, CCW - Program Structure: How Programs, Variables differ from other A-B PLCs
    While Rockwell’s Micro800 family of low cost programmable controllers have appealing price points, one look at the programming software is often enough to keep many Logix users away. But when you have a truly small system, the fact that the Micro800 is so much less expensive than the CompactLogix, and that the MicroLogix 1000 and 1500 are obsolete, ...
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  • Micro800, CCW – Program Structure: How Programs, Variables differ from other A-B PLCs (M3E46)Micro800, CCW - Program Structure: How Programs, Variables differ from other A-B PLCs (M3E46)
    Learn how Micro800 programs and local variables are organized in Episode 46 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • Micro800, CCW – How To Alias IOMicro800, CCW - How To Alias IO
    Rockwell’s Micro800 family of low cost programmable controllers have very appealing price points. But when it comes to usability, many of us have been reluctant to trade our familiarity and efficiency with RSLogix / Studio 5000 for a few hundred dollars in savings on low I/O count projects. That familiarity extends to Logix’s naming convention used with local ...
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  • Micro800, CCW – How To Alias IO (M3E45)Micro800, CCW - How To Alias IO (M3E45)
    Learn how to alias Micro800 embedded I/O in Episode 45 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • Micro800, CCW – Create and Download Ladder Logic ProgramsMicro800, CCW - Create and Download Ladder Logic Programs
    In today’s article I’ll walk you through how to download a program to a Micro800 using Connected Components Workbench version 10. Preface: If you need a copy of CCW, check out our previous article, Downloading a free copy of Connected Components Workbench. Step 1) Open CCW, and then open or create a project: Step 2) Next, it’s recommended you build the ...
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  • Micro800, CCW – Create and Download Ladder Logic Programs (M3E47)Micro800, CCW - Create and Download Ladder Logic Programs (M3E47)
    Learn how to create and download a Micro800 ladder logic program in Episode 47 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • Micro800, CCW – How to Change the Controller TypeMicro800, CCW - How to Change the Controller Type
    Connected Components Workbench (CCW) version 7.0 added some much needed features when it released back in September of 2014. One of those welcome features was a context-sensitive device menu for accessing common tasks. In today’s article, I show you how to use that menu to change the controller type (aka Micro800 model) of an existing program in just three easy steps. Step 1) ...
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  • Micro800, CCW – Using the Reverse Coil InstructionMicro800, CCW - Using the Reverse Coil Instruction
    Rockwell’s Micro800 line of programmable controllers include support for some instructions you won’t find in RSLogix. In today’s article we’ll discuss one of those instructions, the Reverse Coil. For those of us who’ve been using Allen-Bradley PLCs for some time now, much of how we write code is dictated by a long established set of instructions found in ...
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  • Micro800, CCW – Using the Reverse Coil Instruction (M3E48)Micro800, CCW - Using the Reverse Coil Instruction (M3E48)
    Learn how to use the Micro800’s Reverse Coil in Episode 48 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • Micro800, CCW – Using the Timer On Off InstructionMicro800, CCW - Using the Timer On Off Instruction
    Rockwell’s Micro800 line of programmable controllers include support for a few instructions you won’t find in RSLogix. In today’s article we’ll discuss one of those instructions, the Time-delay On Off (aka TONOFF) instruction. Those of us who’ve been programming Allen-Bradley PLCs for some time now have found many uses for the TON and TOF Ladder instructions. And I’d also ...
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  • Micro800, CCW – Using the Timer On Off Instruction (M3E49)Micro800, CCW - Using the Timer On Off Instruction (M3E49)
    Learn how to use the Micro800’s Timer On Off instruction in Episode 49 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • Tag Names – Eliminating The Need For Program CommentsTag Names - Eliminating The Need For Program Comments
    There are a couple of different ways of thinking when it comes to in-program documentation, particularly the use of comments. One main methodology I see is to use documentation liberally (since it’s free), placing comments on as many rungs as desired. The other methodology is that less is more, with more emphasis placed on variable tags and ...
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  • Micro800, CCW – Math with Mixed Data TypesMicro800, CCW - Math with Mixed Data Types
    While Rockwell’s Micro800 line of programmable controllers does include support for instructions you won’t find in RSLogix, it’s lacking one big feature that many RSLogix users have come to rely on. Specifically I’m referring to the ability to use math instructions with dissimilar data types. Personally, I find this kind of odd. Going back as far as I ...
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  • Micro800, CCW – Math with Mixed Data Types (M3E50)Micro800, CCW - Math with Mixed Data Types (M3E50)
    Learn how to use math in the Micro800 with mixed data types in Episode 50 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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  • Micro800, CCW – Ladder Logic in Function Block Diagrams (M3E51)Micro800, CCW - Ladder Logic in Function Block Diagrams (M3E51)
    Learn how to use Ladder Logic in Function Block Diagram programs in Episode 51 of The Automation Minute Season 3: If you’ve found this video helpful, checkout my training courses here. Check out our Video Collection #1 here, which includes the first five seasons of our shows for just $30!
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