1791 Block I/O Selection Guide
Allen-Bradley's 1791 Block I/O is a compact Input/Output interface that provides signal conditioning functionality, a built-in power supply, I/O modules, a remote I/O adapter, and a programmable controller interface all in one unit. When connected to Rockwell Automation's Universal Remote I/O (RIO) network, the 1791 I/O block is compatible with SLC (Small Logic Controller) or PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) processors via a remote I/O scanner.
The 1791 Block I/O is extensively used in applications requiring distributed Input/Output modules installed in small enclosures or near the field sensors and actuators. You can directly connect field sensors and actuators to the 1791 I/O block and then connect the block to an Allen-Bradley programmable controller via a remote I/O cable.
Ideally, a typical 1791 Block I/O can:
- Communicate with both SLC and PLC processors.
- Be placed close enough to field I/O devices, including sensors and actuators, significantly reducing the required wiring and installation time.
- Provide an exclusive I/O solution or be part of a fully remote I/O system that includes I/O racks, drives, operator interface devices, and non-Allen-Bradley (third-party) application-specific devices.
Functional Features
Available 1791 Block I/O modules are of two types: (i) Discrete 1791 Block I/O modules and (ii) Analog 1791 Block I/O modules. These modules feature the following:
- The I/O blocks are available in 128, 64, 32, and 16 input/output points in compact, easily mountable packages.
- Most 32-point- and 16-point DC, AC, and Analog 1791 I/O blocks can be DIN-rail or panel mounted in horizontal or vertical (highly recommended) orientation. 1791 I/O block modules with relay contact outputs should be vertically mounted.
- The 128-point and 64-point DC I/O blocks can be mounted vertically on a panel.
- Analog 1791 I/O blocks supply 24V DC power (loop power) to 4…20 mA devices (analog-input current loops). These blocks can also be scaled into engineering I/O units.
- The Analog 1791 I/O blocks are compatible with PLC processors via block transfer mode and with SLC processors via discrete transfer mode.
- Compatibility with Allen-Bradley's Universal Remote I/O network.
- Self-contained, complete I/O packages with a built-in power supply and remote I/O adapter. This enables the cost-effective distribution of as low as 16 discrete Input/Output points to a remote location.
- The compact size of the 1791 I/O blocks allows their installation in small-size enclosures of industrial machines.
- Reduced wiring costs because the 1791 Block I/O can be installed near field sensors and actuators.
- Removable terminal strips that allow easy installation and replacement (if necessary) of the 1791 I/O blocks without rewiring.
Physical Features
The standard physical features of the 1791 Block I/O modules include the following:
- Wiring Connectors: The Input/Output connector and the Universal Remote I/O link connector are removable for easy wiring connections.
- Wiring Terminals: The field wiring of remotely located 1791 I/O blocks, such as the 1791-IOBX and 1791-IOVX, consists of four different 37-pin removable terminal connectors (blocks), which are attached on the sides of the I/O blocks. In such cases, a separate terminal connector that is non-removable is provided for connecting the 24V DC external supply and the Universal Remote I/O (RIO) link.
- Switch Assemblies: Two DIP (Dual In-Line Package) switches are availed with the 1791 I/O blocks for I/O configuration and setting up the I/O rack address. The I/O configuration switch allows users to select the I/O starting group, baud/transmission rate, processor restart, last state, last group of I/O, and last rack/chassis. On the other hand, the rack address switch enables users to choose the I/O rack address for the 1791 Block I/O system. In addition, a third switch may be provided for selecting a termination resistor or a DH–485 terminator.
- DH–485 Port: This plug-in communication port is provided for use with the DH-485 data link when connecting the 1791 I/O block to an SLC controller.
- Status Indicators: Bi-color LED indicators provide communication, power, active, and fuse-blown indications. At the same time, an LED array is used to show the input/output status. Overall, status LED indicators provide a visual indication that assists in troubleshooting the 1791 Block I/O.
- Removable Terminal Strips: Power, Input/Output, and Remote I/O network connections are made to the removable terminal strips for ease of wiring and replacement of I/O blocks (if required).
Selection Guidelines
Below is a selection guide for specifying a 1791 Block I/O unit.
1) Select a Compatible Allen-Bradley Controller
The Allen-Bradley 1791 Block I/O is compatible with Allen-Bradley SLC 500 modular controllers and PLC–5, PLC–3, and PLC–2 family of programmable logic controllers. When connecting the SLC 500 controllers, a Remote I/O scanner (Cat. No. 1747–SN) or a 1747–DSN scanner module should be used to communicate with the 1791 I/O blocks. When connecting the PLC–2 family of programmable controllers, a Remote I/O scanner (Cat. No.1772–SD2) or Sub-I/O Scanner module (Cat. No. 1771–SN) should be used to establish communication with the 1791 I/O blocks. When using PLC–5 and PLC–3 programmable controllers, the 1791 Block I/O modules can be connected directly to the selected Allen-Bradley controller or a compatible scanner module or indirectly via a remote I/O adapter module. When connecting only PLC–3 programmable controllers, be sure to use a 1775–S5 or 1775–SR5 scanner module; don't use 1775–S4A, 1775–S4B, or 1775–SR scanner modules with PLC–3 programmable controllers.
2) Select Appropriate Input and Output Modules
As previously stated, the Allen-Bradley 1791 Series of I/O block modules is available in two types: (i) Analog 1791 Block I/O and (ii) Discrete 1791 Block I/O. In this section, we'll discuss the features you should consider when selecting either of the 1791 Block I/O types.
A) Discrete 1791 Block I/O Modules
The Discrete 1791 I/O blocks are compatible with SLC 5/02 controllers, PLC–2, PLC–3 PLC–5/250, and PLC–5 family of programmable controllers. Refer to the guidelines outlined below on how to use the Discrete 1791 Block I/O modules with various programmable controllers from Allen-Bradley.
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If you are connecting: SLC 5/02 Modular Controllers
- You should use: 1747-SN Remote I/O Scanner
-
If you are connecting: PLC–2 Programmable Controllers
- You should use: 1771-SN Sub-I/O Scanner Module or 1772-SD2 & 1772-SD Remote I/O scanners
-
If you are connecting: PLC–3 Programmable Controllers
- You should use: The 1791 Discrete I/O block modules attach directly to these controllers
-
If you are connecting: PLC–5/250 Programmable Controllers
- You should use: The 1791 Discrete I/O block modules attach directly to these controllers
-
If you are connecting: PLC–5 Programmable Controllers
- You should use: The 1791 Discrete I/O block modules attach directly to these controllers
1791 Block I/O Discrete Input Modules
The 1791 Block I/O Discrete DC and AC input modules convert DC or AC signals from field input devices to the suitable logic level for use by the connected SLC or PLC processors. Standard user input devices that can be connected to the 1791 Block I/O discrete input modules include:
- Pushbutton switches
- Selector switches
- Proximity switches
- Float switches
- Limit switches
Input Compatibility
1791 DC block discrete input modules are compatible with the 1771-Series I/O output modules. However, this compatibility is only possible if: (i) the leakage off-state current of the 1771-Series I/O output module is less than the off-state minimum current of the 1791 DC block input module, and (ii) the on-state minimum voltage of the 1791 DC block input module is more than the supplied voltage less the on-state voltage drop across the 1771-Series I/O output module. Some of the 1771-Series I/O output modules that meet the aforementioned specifications include:
- 1771-OBN DC (10…30V) Output Module
- 1771-OBD DC (10…60V) Output Module
- 1771-OB DC Output Driver Module
1791 AC block discrete input modules are compatible with the 1771-Series I/O output modules when: (i) the leakage off-state current of the 1771-Series I/O output module is less than the off-state minimum current of the 1791 AC block input module, and (ii) the on-state minimum voltage of the 1791 AC block input module is more than the supplied voltage less the on-state voltage drop across the 1771-Series I/O output module. Some of the 1771-Series I/O output modules that meet the aforementioned specifications include:
- 1771-OAN AC (120V) Output Module
- 1771-ODD AC (120V) Output Module, isolated at 120V AC
- 1771-OD16 AC (120V) Output Module, isolated at 120V AC
- 1771-ODZ AC Isolated Output Module
1791 Block I/O Discrete Output Modules
The 1791 Block I/O Discrete DC and AC Output Modules control the OFF/ON status of DC and AC user output devices. Standard user output devices that can be connected to the 1791 Block I/O discrete output modules include:
- Solenoids
- Motor starters
- Indicators
Output Compatibility
1791 AC block discrete output modules are compatible with the 1771-Series I/O input modules that need an off-state current of more than 3mA (milliamperes). Only one 1771-Series I/O input module meets that specification:
- 1771-ID16 AC Isolated Input Module
1791 DC block discrete output modules are compatible with the 1771-Series I/O input modules requiring an off-state current of more than 0.5mA (milliamperes). Some of the 1771-Series I/O input modules that satisfy the aforementioned specification include:
- 1771-IB (12…24V) DC Input Module
- 1771-IBD (10…30V) DC Input Module
- 1771-IBN (10…30V) DC Input Module
- 1771-ICD (20…60V) DC Input Module
- 1771-IN (24V) AC Input Module
- 1771-IQ16 (24V) DC Input Module
- 1771-IH (24-48V) DC Input Module
Note:
- 16-Point Discrete 1791 I/O blocks feature either 24V DC or 120V AC supply voltage, and they have either 8 inputs and 8 relay outputs, 16 inputs, 16 outputs, or a combination of 8 inputs and 8 outputs.
- 32-Point Discrete 1791 I/O blocks feature either 24V DC or 120V AC supply voltage. They have either 24 inputs and 8 relay outputs, a combination of 16 inputs and 16 outputs, 32 inputs, 32 outputs, or a combination of 24 inputs and 8 outputs.
- High-density Discrete 1791 I/O blocks feature 24V DC supply voltage with 64 inputs and 64 outputs or 32 inputs and 32 outputs.
B) Analog 1791 Block I/O Modules
The Analog 1791 I/O blocks are compatible with the SLC 5/02(or later versions) controllers, PLC–2, PLC–3, PLC–5, and PLC–5/250 family of programmable controllers. Refer to the guidelines outlined in the table below on how to use the Analog 1791 Block I/O with various programmable controllers from Allen-Bradley.
-
If you are connecting: SLC 5/02 (or later versions) Modular Controllers
- You should use: 1747-SN Remote I/O Scanner
-
If you are connecting: PLC–2 Programmable Controllers
- You should use: 1771-SN Sub-I/O Scanner Module or 1772-SD2 and 1772-SD Remote I/O scanners
-
If you are connecting: PLC–3 Programmable Controllers
- You should use: The 1791 Analog I/O blocks attach directly to these controllers
-
If you are connecting: PLC–5/250 Programmable Controllers
- You should use: The 1791 Analog I/O blocks attach directly to these controllers
-
If you are connecting: PLC–5 Programmable Controllers
- You should use: The 1791 Analog I/O blocks attach directly to these controllers
The 1791 Analog I/O block modules communicate with PLC–2, PLC–3, PLC–5, and PLC–5/250 programmable controllers via discrete transfer or block transfer that connects to the Allen-Bradley remote I/O (RIO) network. In contrast, these analog I/O block modules communicate with the SLC 5/02 (or later versions) modular controllers via discrete transfer mode only – discrete transfer is used with Allen-Bradley controllers that do not feature block transfer capabilities.
Allen-Bradley Analog 1791 Block I/O modules are available in 120V AC or 24V DC versions, with each I/O block module having two outputs and four independent/selectable inputs that users can configure as either all voltage input points or all current input points.
Types of Analog 1791 Block I/O Modules
Note: Analog 1791 Block I/O outputs are not user-configurable but factory-configured for current or voltage outputs.
In general, the Analog 1791 Block I/O features:
- A 13-bit resolution for the available current outputs.
- A 14-bit resolution for both voltage outputs and current & voltage inputs.
- A non-volatile memory that stores the calibration constants.
- All Analog 1791 Block I/O signal types can be scaled to engineering units.
- Input filtering for the four independent input channels.
- Alarming for all the Analog block I/O signal types.
3) Select a Suitable Surge Suppression Device
The 1791 Block I/O Discrete output modules include a surge suppression circuitry for the connected user output devices. In particular, the 1791 AC block discrete output modules avail a Resistor–Capacitor (RC) circuit to limit the voltage transients' magnitude. The voltage transients will likely occur when an output user device is connected in series with or in parallel to hard contacts. At the same time, the 1791 DC block discrete output modules incorporate clamping diodes that shunt occurring voltage transients to the main power supply.
However, selecting an additional surge suppression device when using a 1791 Block I/O discrete output module is recommended to control inductive output devices, including solenoids, motor starters, relay contacts, and motors. When connected directly across the inductive coil of such output devices, the surge suppression device helps prolong the lifespan of switch contacts and the output device.
Also, you should use an additional surge suppression device if the 1791 Block I/O discrete output module is connected in parallel to or in series with a "hard contact" such as a selector switch or pushbutton switch. Select an acceptable Allen-Bradley surge suppression device based on the connected load type in such applications. Note that the most crucial factor when choosing a surge suppression device is its impedance characteristic. No single surge suppression device is suitable for every possible load.
4) Check the Fusing
Most 1791 I/O blocks are internally fused; this eliminates the need for external power fusing to protect such modules. For example, the high-density Discrete 1791 Block I/O modules (128- and 64-point I/O blocks) have internal fusing. Also, each 1791 Discrete I/O group with 16 output points includes a 5.0A (Amperes) fuse. But the Discrete DC and AC 1791 Block I/O output modules are not internally fused, so external fusing is required for their outputs. Select the recommended fuses with 1791 Block I/O output modules in such cases.