Allen-Bradley 5069-L306ER CompactLogix 5380 Controller: A Comprehensive Overview

The Allen-Bradley 5069-L306ER is a member of Rockwell Automation's CompactLogix 5380 controller family, designed to deliver high-performance control in a compact form factor. This controller is engineered to meet the increasing demands of modern manufacturing, offering enhanced processing capacity, integrated communication capabilities, and support for integrated motion control over EtherNet/IP. It is an ideal solution for a wide range of applications, from standalone machines to complex packaging, material handling, and process control systems.

Product Overview and Key Features

The CompactLogix 5380 platform, which includes the 5069-L306ER, represents a significant evolution in Rockwell Automation's mid-range control offerings. These controllers are built upon the 5069 bus architecture and are designed to replace the previous CompactLogix L4 series, which was phased out in 2020

.

The 5069-L306ER controller is particularly notable for its balance of performance and scalability. It features 600 KB of user memory

, which provides ample space for complex control logic, data handling, and communication tasks. This memory capacity is denoted by the "L306" in its model number, where the '6' represents 6 x 100 KB = 600 KB of user memory

.

Integrated Connectivity and Communication

The controller comes with two integrated Ethernet ports that support 10/100/1000 Mbps full-duplex communication

. This dual-port design enables flexible network topologies, including linear, star, and device-level ring (DLR) configurations, enhancing network resilience and reliability. The controller supports up to 16 Ethernet I/O nodes

, allowing for distributed I/O systems that can be spread across a facility.

For programming and configuration, the controller features a USB 2.0 port with a maximum transfer rate of 12 MB/s, facilitating efficient program downloads, uploads, and firmware updates

.

Scalability and I/O Capabilities

A key strength of the 5069-L306ER is its scalability. It can support up to 8 local I/O modules from the 5069 Compact 5000™ I/O series

. These I/O modules offer a wide variety of options, including digital, analog, specialty, and safety modules, allowing engineers to tailor the control system to their specific application needs

.

The 5069 I/O system utilizes a producer-consumer communication model

. This intelligent data exchange mechanism allows data generated by any module to be consumed by multiple devices on the network simultaneously, reducing network traffic and improving system responsiveness.

Safety and Security

While the 5069-L306ER is a standard controller, it can be integrated into systems with safety components. For applications requiring functional safety, Rockwell Automation offers the Compact GuardLogix 5380 series controllers, which are certified for use in safety applications up to SIL 3 / PLe. The 5069-L306ER can work alongside these safety controllers and compatible safety I/O modules to help build a comprehensive automated system.

Technical Specifications

To provide a clear overview of the controller's capabilities, here is a summary of its key technical specifications:

Target Applications

The 5069-L306ER is versatile and suited for a diverse set of industrial applications. Its blend of processing power, communication speed, and scalability makes it an excellent choice for:

• Packaging Machinery: Controlling fillers, cappers, labelers, wrappers, and case packers.

• Material Handling Systems: Managing conveyors, sortation systems, and palletizing/depalletizing cells.

• Process Skids: Providing control for compact, modular process units often found in chemical, water, and oil & gas industries.

• Automated Assembly Machines: Coordinating robots, actuators, and vision systems in production lines.

• Distributed I/O Applications: Acting as a central controller for systems utilizing 5069 Compact I/O modules distributed over an EtherNet/IP network

• .

System Configuration and Programming

Hardware Configuration

The 5069-L306ER controller itself does not include any integrated I/O points. It must be mounted on a DIN rail and connected to 5069 series I/O modules to form a complete system. It's important to note that the controller does not come with removable terminal blocks. To connect wiring, a separate terminal block kit, either 5069-RTB64-SCREW (screw type) or 5069-RTB64-SPRING (spring clamp type), must be purchased

.

The controller features a MOD and SA power interface

, and its 5069-AENTR communication module can support up to 31 I/O modules, includes a separate system power for better isolation, and provides a built-in power input with field power for the I/O modules

.

Software and Programming

Configuration, programming, and troubleshooting of the 5069-L306ER are performed using Rockwell Automation's Studio 5000 Logix Designer integrated development environment

. This powerful software supports multiple programming languages defined by the IEC 61131-3 standard, including:

• Ladder Diagram (LD)

• Structured Text (ST)

• Function Block Diagram (FBD)

• Sequential Function Chart (SFC)

The controller supports multiple tasks and programs, allowing for organized and modular code structure. It can handle up to 32 tasks, with each task containing up to 1000 program instances

.

Comparison and Considerations

The 5069-L306ER is the entry-level model in the CompactLogix 5380 family. For applications requiring more user memory, greater I/O capacity, or integrated motion control, higher-end models like the L3100ERM (with 10 MB user memory and support for 32 axes of motion) are available

.

It is also important to distinguish the 5069-L306ER from the 5069-L306ERM. The "M" suffix indicates that the controller has integrated motion control functionality, supporting up to 2 axes of motion

. For basic motor control over EtherNet/IP (e.g., with PowerFlex drives), the standard L306ER is sufficient, but for coordinated multi-axis motion, the ERM variant or a higher-end model would be necessary

.

Conclusion

The Allen-Bradley 5069-L306ER CompactLogix 5380 controller is a robust, scalable, and versatile automation solution. Its compact design, powerful processing capabilities, and seamless integration with the 5069 I/O system and EtherNet/IP network make it a strong foundation for a wide array of industrial applications. While it lacks integrated motion control axes, its support for distributed motion over EtherNet/IP and its ability to handle substantial I/O configurations make it a cost-effective choice for engineers and machine builders looking to implement a future-proof control system based on the integrated architecture of Rockwell Automation.

For those requiring functional safety, higher axis counts, or larger memory capacity, exploring other members of the CompactLogix 5380 or GuardLogix 5380 families is recommended. Ultimately, the 5069-L306ER stands as a testament to Rockwell Automation's commitment to providing high-performance control in a scalable and connected package.