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5 Reasons to Upgrade Your PLC-5 Before It’s Too Late
After nearly 40 years of loyal service, the Allen-Bradley PLC-5 is ready for retirement. With software support ending, failing to upgrade your PLC-5 could expose your operation to costly vulnerabilities.
While hanging onto your PLC-5 may seem cost-effective in the short term, the risks and expenses will only grow with time.
Once Rockwell Automation discontinues the software at the end of 2025, it will be a question of when (not if) your PLC-5 fails. And when it bites the dust, the ramifications could be significant. If you don’t have a plan to migrate your system, chances are high that it will cause collateral damage to your production schedule and profits.
Furthermore, postponing an upgrade to the new ControlLogix platform creates several additional risks.
1. Finding Replacement Parts Will Be a High-Pressure Game of Chance
If you continue using PLC-5s, parts will be harder to come by. You may have to scour the web to purchase aftermarket parts. While you may find the part you need, you’ll be taking another risk of not knowing exactly where it came from or even if it works.
2. You Could Get Locked Out and Lose Critical Programming Code
If your PLC-5 goes down, you could lose the programming code you need to run your equipment. If you have old equipment, you may not have the most current backup and will need to take your equipment offline while you wait for a technician to rebuild it from scratch.
3. Production Quality Could Suffer
If you can’t run your equipment because the controls fail, you will lose valuable production time and may have to rent equipment or pay personnel to perform the control system’s tasks manually. This could affect product quality and your bottom line.
4. The Longer You Wait to Upgrade, the More Expensive It Will Get
If you delay upgrading your PLC-5 to ControlLogix, it will get harder to find a qualified integrator. Fewer technicians will be available as other companies rush to upgrade their control systems, which means you could have to pay high surcharges if your equipment goes down in an emergency.
5. You Risk Falling Further Behind Competitors
Competitors that have already upgraded will be better positioned to expand and optimize their operations more effectively. They will also benefit from advanced data collection and connectivity features that enable smarter, data-driven decisions, giving upgraded facilities a strategic advantage.
Retiring your PLC-5 doesn’t have to be stressful – it’s an opportunity to set your facility up for a bright future.
With more than 25 years of expertise in automation and control system integration, Spiroflow Automation is here to make your transition to ControlLogix as smooth as possible. Think of us as your retirement planner for outdated systems, ensuring your production line keeps running seamlessly while avoiding costly surprises.
Don’t let your PLC-5 overstay its welcome. Contact us today and start planning for the next chapter of success in your operations.
Learn More About PLC-5 Upgrading
The Benefits of Upgrading to ControlLogix
5 Questions to Evaluate PLC-5 Upgraders
Step-by-Step Guide to PLC-5 Migration
Speak With a PLC-5 Upgrade Expert
Don’t leave your upgrade to chance. Contact us today to start planning your PLC-5 migration and take the first step toward a smarter, more efficient control system.