Welcome to The Automation Blog’s SLC-500 Content Guide which is an ordered list of all of our SLC-500 articles and videos.
Below you’ll find over 60 of our free articles and videos listed with thumbnails and excerpts. If you’d prefer a listing of titles only, click here.
Note: Our SLC-500 Online course, Ultimate SLC-500, is available here.
- 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 ...Read more... - How 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 ...Read more... - 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 ...Read more... - Programmable Controller Non-Volatile and Volatile Memory (P7)
In The Automation Podcast, Episode 7, we discuss PLC and PAC non-volatile and volatile memory as used in the PLC-5, SLC-500, CompactLogix and ControlLogix. Note: You can read more about ControlLogix and CompactLogix non-volatile memory in our companion blog article HERE. Listen to the Podcast:Read more... - SLC-500 – Is it still viable in 2018? (Q&A)
I recently received a message from someone who had just purchased a used machine with a SLC-500 based control system on it. Because most of his existing systems use simple relay controls, the new owner of the machine was reaching out to me about training on the SLC-500, as well as to ask several questions which ...Read more... - SLC-500 – Modular Style Controllers
The SLC-500 family of Programmable Logic Controllers was quite popular when it launched in the early nineties. The most obvious reason was that it was smaller and less expensive than A-B’s flagship product at the time, the PLC-5. The SLC-500 also programmed with software and instructions nearly identical to the PLC-5. That said, the first controllers released in ...Read more... - SLC-500 – Modular Style Controller Image Gallery
Here’s an image gallery of all five models of SLC-500 Modular Controllers. Have a question or comment? If you do, you can post it by clicking on the comment link below my signature.Read more... - RSLogix 5, 500, and Micro support for Windows XP / 7 / 8
Last Wednesday 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 RSLogix 5, 500, and Micro. RSLogix 5 compatibility with Windows XP: In the above screen shot of Rockwell’s PCDC webpage we can ...Read more... - SLC-500 – Fixed Style
Recently, a client called asking what I thought would be the best replacement for a 1747-L40. But to understand how to size a replacement for this PLC, we’ll first need to understand what that part number represents. And in this article I’ll review the models that make up the Fixed Style SLC-500 family of products. Back in 1991 Rockwell Allen-Bradley released the SLC-500 ...Read more... - Ethernet – 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 ...Read more... - RSEmulate – How to Setup and Use
Last week I walked through how to get a free copy of RSLogix Emulate 500, and in today’s article I’ll show you how to set it up. The first step is to launch RSLogix Emulate 500 and open an RSLogix Micro or RSLogix 500 file using either the “File – Open” menu, or the open file ...Read more... - RSEmulate – How to Setup and Use (M2E40)
Learn how to setup and use RS Emulate in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 40: 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!Read more... - VMware – 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 ...Read more... - Sample Code – Setup and Download Demo Programs to A-B PLCs (P36)
Watch as I setup a PLC-5, SLC-5/05 & 5/04, MicroLogix 1100 & 1400, ControlLogix L61, L55 & L1, a FlexLogix and CompactLogix L1 in Episode 36 of The Automation Podcast. Watch the Podcast: Listen to the Podcast:Read more... - Sample Code – How to download free A-B Sample Programs and AOIs (M2E38)
Learn how to get free A-B PLC Sample Programs in The Automation Minute, Season 2 Episode 38: UPDATE: Check out the new 2017 version of this video here 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!Read more... - Message (MSG) – SLC-5/05 Writing Data Over Ethernet to a MicroLogix 1400
In Today’s article I walk you through how to Message data from a SLC-5/05 to a MicroLogix 1400 over Ethernet using the MSG instruction. Note: In this example I have a SLC-5/05 at IP Address 192.168.1.47, and a MicroLogix 1400 at IP Address 192.168.1.66. Both have the same subnet address, and are attached to the same network via ...Read more... - Message (MSG) – SLC-5/05 Writing Data Over Ethernet to a MicroLogix (M4E42)
In this episode I demonstrate how to message data from a SLC-5/05 to a MicroLogix 1400 over Ethernet using the MSG instruction (Episode 42 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 ...Read more... - Message (MSG) – MicroLogix Writing Data Over Ethernet to a SLC-5/05
In Today’s article I walk you through how to Message data over Ethernet using the MSG instruction from a MicroLogix 1400 to a SLC-5/05 . Note: In this example I have a MicroLogix 1400 at IP Address 192.168.1.66, and a SLC-5/05 at IP Address 192.168.1.47. Both have the same subnet address, and are attached to the same network ...Read more... - Message (MSG) – MicroLogix Writing Data Over Ethernet to a SLC-5/05 (M4E43)
In this episode I demonstrate how to message data from a MicroLogix 1400 to a SLC-5/05 over Ethernet using the MSG instruction (Episode 43 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 ...Read more... - DF1 to Ethernet Bridge: 515RTAENI First Look (S03)
In today’s episode of The Automation Show, I setup a 515RTAENI DF1 to Ethernet bridge from Real Time Automation. For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 3 Show Notes: NOTE: Would you like your product featured on the Show and Blog? If you would, please contact me at: https://theautomationblog.com/contact I want to ...Read more... - DF1 to Ethernet Bridge, Message (MSG): Send Data Between DF1 and Ethernet Devices using 515RTAENI (S04)
In today’s episode of The Automation Show, we walk through how to message between DF1 and Ethernet devices using the 515RTAENI from Real Time Automation. For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 4 Show Notes: NOTE: Would you like your product featured on the Show and Blog? If you would, please ...Read more... - Message (MSG) – ControlLogix Reading Data Over DH-485 From CompactLogix, SLC-500, MicroLogix (S26)
In this week’s episode of The Automation Show, I cover how you can use the MSG (Message) Instruction in the ControlLogix to read data from CompactLogix, MicroLogix, and SLC-500 over a DH-485 network: For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 26 Show Notes: Support our site and get early ...Read more... - DH-485, RSLinx – Communications Hardware and Driver Setup (S25)
In this week’s episode of The Automation Show, I cover the different hardware used to connect a PC to a DH-485 network, as well as how to configure RSLinx Classic Drivers for each: For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 25 Show Notes: Support our site and get early ...Read more... - RSLinx, MSExcel – Get A-B Programmable Controller Data into Microsoft Excel using RSLinx Classic
In Today’s article I’ll walk you through how you can bring Allen-Bradley Programmable Controller Data into Microsoft Excel 2016 using RSLinx Classic. NOTE: The below procedure works with any licensed copy of RSLinx Classic, including Single Node, OEM, and Gateway shown below. However, it will not work with the free “Lite” version. Step 1) Locate the Programmable Controller ...Read more... - RSLinx, MSExcel – Get A-B Programmable Controller Data into Microsoft Excel using RSLinx Classic (M4E41)
In this episode I demonstrate how to use RSLinx Classic to get data from Allen-Bradley Programmable Controllers into Microsoft Excel (Episode 41 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 ...Read more... - MQTT – Connect A-B PLCs & PACs to the Cloud (S2E01)
Learn how to connect A-B PLCs to the Cloud using an MQTT Gateway today on The Automation Show (S2E01) For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Season 2 Episode 1 Show Notes: Special thanks to RTA for sending in a sample of their new A-B PLC MQTT Gateway, as well ...Read more... - PanelView 800 – Connecting to a MicroLogix, CompactLogix, & SLC-5/03 over DH-485 (S34)
In this week’s episode of The Automation Show, I cover how to use CCW to create and download a PanelView 800 program to read data from a CompactLogix, MicroLogix, and SLC-5/03 over a Data Highway 485 network: For more information, check out the “Show Notes” located below the video. The Automation Show, Episode 34 Show Notes: Support our ...Read more... - Migrate / Convert – PLC-5, SLC-500, and MicroLogix Programs to RSLogix/Studio 5000 and Logix Controllers
Recently one of our readers submitted a question asking for help migrating from a legacy Rockwell PLC (aka PLC-5 or SLC-500) to their new PAC lines (ControlLogix and CompactLogix.) In his email he went on to say he needed help because he didn’t have a copy of the Project Migrator, previously called the Translation tool. I’ve covered ...Read more... - Migrate / Convert – SLC-500, MicroLogix, RSLogix 500 Programs to RSLogix/Studio 5000 and Logix Controllers
In this article we will convert SLC-500 programs to ControlLogix using the RSLogix Project Migrator version 3.0. Note: To get RSLogix Project Migrator version 3.0, search the below website for “RSLogix Project Migrator (it also comes with RSLogix/Studio 5000 v19 and up)” http://compatibility.rockwellautomation.com/Pages/MultiProductDownload.aspx UPDATE – November 2021 by SMT: Rockwell no longer makers the Translation Tool or Project Migrator ...Read more... - Migrate / Convert – SLC-500 Programs to MicroLogix
In this article we’ll look at converting SLC-500 programs to MicroLogix, including how to address two common errors. Step 1) Start by opening RSLogix 500. In this example we open the SLC-500 sample program, IC500DMO.RSS: NOTE: You can’t open and convert SLC-500 programs using RSLogix Micro Step 2) Next, let’s take a look at the I/O Configuration of the sample ...Read more... - Migrate / Convert – SLC-500 Programs to MicroLogix (M4E24)
In this episode I discuss how you go about converting SLC-500 programs to MicroLogix, as well as how to deal with a couple of common errors (Episode 24 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 ...Read more... - SLC-500 – Resetting to Factory Defaults
How to clear a SLC-500 controller’s memory and reset it to factory defaults. In the SLC-500 family of controllers there are three different ways memory is backed up, and therefore three different ways to clear memory and reset the controller to factory defaults. NOTE: Always upload and save any SLC-500 controller program you need prior to erasing ...Read more... - RSLogix 500, Micro – v11: What’s NewRSLogix 500 and RSLogix Micro version 11 is out, and in today’s article we’ll take a look at what’s new in this release: UPDATE: My MicroLogix “Five Star” training course is now available digitally or on DVD! Learn to setup and program the Allen-Bradley MicroLogix family of Programmable Logic Controllers! Learn the details at PLC Basics Second Edition Windows 10 Support: I ...Read more...
- RSLogix 500, Micro – v9.05: Windows 8 Support Added, XP Support Removed
Just this last week I found out that Rockwell Automation had released version 9.05 of RSLogix 500 and RSLogix Micro. These new versions add support for Windows 8 and 8.1 while also removing support for Windows XP. Aside from the expanded OS support, you won’t find any new features or functions in 9.05, except for the updated support of the latest FactoryTalk Activation, as ...Read more... - RSLogix, RSLinx – DF1 Communications Setup and Downloading Programs to SLC-500
So you need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic to communicate over serial with an Allen-Bradley SLC-500 so you can download or go online with RSLogix? Well you’re in luck as in today’s article I’ll walk you through step to setup how to setup RSLinx communications as well as how to download from RSLogix: Prerequisites: Before you begin, first ...Read more... - RSLogix, RSLinx – DF1 Communications Setup and Downloading Programs to SLC-500 (M3E16)
Learn how to setup serial communications to an A-B SLC-500 and then download to it in Episode 16 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!Read more... - RSLogix, RSLinx – DH-485 Communications Setup and Downloading Programs to SLC-500
So you need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic to communicate over DH-485 to an Allen-Bradley SLC-500 so you can download or go online with RSLogix? Well you’re in luck as in today’s article I’ll walk you step to setup through how to setup RSLinx as well as how to download from RSLogix: Prerequisites: Before you begin, first insure ...Read more... - RSLogix, RSLinx – DH-485 Communications Setup and Downloading Programs to (M3E17)
Learn how to setup DH-485 communications to an A-B SLC-500 and then download to it in Episode 17 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!Read more... - SLC-500, MicroLogix, PanelView Plus 6 – Adding DH-485 (P16)
In The Automation Podcast: Episode 16, we discuss how you can add DH-485 to your MicroLogix, SLC-5/04, SLC-5/05, and PanelView Plus 6 400 and 600. Note: You can read more about adding DH-485 to a MicroLogix or PanelView Plus in our companion blogs below: Adding a MicroLogix to a DH-485 network Using DH-485 On The New PanelView Plus 6 400 ...Read more... - 1747-PIC – Why it always had trouble working in Microsoft Windows
Over the years I’ve heard more than my fair share of complaints about Allen-Bradley’s 1747-PIC’s lack of Microsoft Windows support. In fact, every time I now hear someone complain I can’t help but say, “It’s a DOS product! From 1990! What other ‘90 products do you have that support Windows (insert latest version) ?” Ok, not ...Read more... - 1747-PIC, RSLogix, RSLinx – I can’t connect to my SLC-5/03 (Q&A)
Today we dig into our mailbag for another edition of “Insight’s Inbox.” Reader Question: I’ve run into an issue for which I would like to ask your opinion. Here in our plant we have SLC-500, specifically a SLC-5/03, which controls our material handling system. Whenever I connect to the SLC-5/03 to attempt to make a change, I kept getting a “Fatal Error.” I’m using a 1747-PIC ...Read more... - SLC-5/05 – Using RSLogix 500 to Set the Ethernet/IP Address
How to set the Ethernet IP Address of a SLC-5/05 Controller using RSLogix. Setting a SLC-5/05’s IP Address Offline: If you have a project file for your SLC-5/05 controller that your want to edit and download, follow these steps: 1) Open your project in RSLogix 500: 2) Now in the Project Tree double click on “Channel Configuration” to open ...Read more... - SLC-5/05 – Using the BOOTP Utility to Set the Ethernet/IP Address
How to set the Ethernet IP Address of a SLC-5/05 Controller using the free BOOTP-DHCP utility. If you have a new SLC-5/05, or one that has been reset to Factory Defaults, one option to set it’s IP Address is to use the free BOOTP-DHCP utility installed with RSLinx Classic. To do so, follow the below steps: 1) Connect your ...Read more... - SLC-500 – How to add Ethernet
The SLC-500 is a very popular PLC with over a million installed processors in facilities around the world. Over the years many of those facilities have modernized their sites by adding plantwide ethernet networks, and I often get calls asking how they can add their legacy SLC-500 systems to those Ethernet networks. Note: For our previous articles on adding the Ethernet to the PLC-5 ...Read more... - SLC-5/05, RSLinx – Setup Ethernet Communications and Download using RSLogix 500
So you need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic to communicate to an Allen-Bradley SLC-5/05 using Ethernet in order to download (or go online) using RSLogix 500? Well you’re in luck as in today’s article I’ll walk you step-by-step through how you setup RSLinx Ethernet communications, as well as how to download and/or go online using RSLogix 500: Prerequisites: ...Read more... - USB to Data Highway Plus (DHP, DH+) – Setup RSLinx with ANC-120e and Download to PLC-5 and SLC-500 using RSLogix
So you need to know how to setup RSLinx Classic to communicate via USB over Data Highway Plus to an Allen-Bradley PLC-5 or SLC-5/04? Well you’re in luck as in today’s article I’ll walk you step to setup through how to setup RSLinx as well as the ANC-120e USB to DH+ cable from Automation Networks: Prerequisites: Before you begin, ...Read more... - USB to Data Highway Plus (DHP, DH+) – Setup RSLinx with ANC-120e and Download to PLC-5 and SLC-500 using RSLogix (M3E19)
Learn how to setup USB to Data Highway Plus (DH+) communications to an A-B SLC-5/04 or PLC-5 in Episode 19 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!Read more... - USB To Data Highway Plus (DHP, DH+) – Using the ANC-120e, a lower cost alternative to the 1784-U2DHP
In today’s episode of The Automation Podcast I take a look at the ANC-120e USB to Data Highway Plus converter from Automation Networks. Now you may be asking yourself why the folks over at Automation Networks would release a USB to DH+ converter when Rockwell already makes the 1784-U2DHP? Well if you haven’t looked lately, that Rockwell cable ...Read more... - USB To Data Highway Plus (DHP, DH+) – First Look and Use of the ANC-120e (P35)
Learn how to connect your PC to Data Highway Plus using USB and a much lower cost alternative to the 1784-U2DHP, the ANC-120e from Automation Networks, in Episode 35 of The Automation Podcast. Watch the Podcast: Listen to the Podcast:Read more... - 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.Read more...
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