Product Overview

The Allen-Bradley 1756-A13 is a heavy-duty, 13-slot modular chassis designed to serve as the physical and electrical backbone for the ControlLogix® automation platform. This chassis provides a high-speed communication backplane that facilitates deterministic data exchange between controllers, I/O modules, and specialized communication adapters. Engineered for mid-to-large scale industrial applications, the 1756-A13 allows for a highly dense concentration of control logic and field interface points within a single rack.

This chassis is built to accommodate the evolution of your control system, supporting multiple generations of Logix processors including the L6, L7, and L8 (5580) series. Its open-style construction ensures passive convection cooling, while the rugged mounting plate is designed for secure horizontal installation in standard industrial enclosures.

Backplane Power and Data Distribution

The 1756-A13 is not merely a mounting frame; it is an active bus system that manages complex power requirements and high-speed messaging.

• Multi-Voltage Support: The integrated backplane distributes four distinct voltage levels (1.2V, 3.3V, 5V, and 24V DC) to meet the precise power consumption needs of various digital, analog, and specialty modules.

• RIUP Capability: Supports Removal and Insertion Under Power (RIUP), allowing technicians to replace or upgrade modules without disrupting the power to the rest of the chassis or shutting down the entire process.

• Electronic Keying: Features sophisticated electronic keying to prevent the accidental insertion of an incorrect module type into a pre-configured slot, significantly reducing the risk of system damage or logic errors.

• Deterministic Communication: The high-speed parallel bus architecture ensures that time-critical I/O data and producer/consumer tags are delivered with minimal jitter and latency.

Technical Specifications

• Manufacturer: Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation)

• Model Number: 1756-A13

• Number of Slots: 13

• Mounting Type: Horizontal (Panel Mount)

• Backplane Power Dissipation: 5.4 Watts

• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 60°C (Series A/B); -25°C to 60°C (Series C)

• Shock Rating: 30g (Operational)

• Vibration Resistance: 2g @ 10 to 500 Hz

• Cabinet Size Requirement: Minimum 61 x 76.2 x 20.3 cm (24 x 30 x 8 inches)

• Dimensions: 50.8 x 14.5 x 14.5 cm (Standard Rack Profile)

• Weight: 1.9 kg (Chassis only)

• Agency Compliance: c-UL-us, CE, ATEX, Marine, CSA

Installation and Environmental Resilience

• Thermal Management: The 13-slot configuration is optimized for heat dissipation in high-density cabinets, though users must adhere to specified clearance requirements for optimal airflow.

• Series Variability: Series C models offer extended temperature ranges, making them suitable for remote installations or unconditioned environments.

• Power Supply Compatibility: Requires a 1756-series power supply (e.g., 1756-PA72 or 1756-PB72) which mounts directly to the left side of the chassis, occupying a dedicated footprint without consuming any of the 13 I/O slots.

• Grounding: Features a heavy-duty grounding stud to ensure that high-frequency noise is dissipated through the enclosure backplane, maintaining signal integrity for sensitive analog modules.