Spectrum Controls Announces the Transition of ControlLogix HART Protocol I/O Modules to the Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley Brand

October 25, 2006—Issaquah, Washington—Spectrum Controls, Inc., a leading manufacturer of hardware and software for the industrial controls marketplace, announces that effective immediately, newly branded ControlLogix HART protocol modules will be available from local distributors under the Allen-Bradley part numbers 1756-IF8H and 1756-OF8H.  These modules were previously sold under the Spectrum Controls catalog numbers 1756sc-IF8H and 1756sc-OF8H. Contact your local Allen-Bradley distributor for pricing and availability for the Rockwell Automation product.

Spectrum Controls will continue to provide service/replacement and technical support for existing users of our ControlLogix HART products and current pricing will remain in effect.  Customers that have been using the Spectrum Controls version of the ControlLogix HART modules will be supported for add on systems and projects. Spectrum Controls and Rockwell will work with these customers to ensure that short term and long term requirements are fulfilled with the best possible solution.  Existing quotations will be honored for 60 days from January 30^th, 2007.

Spectrum Controls’ CONNECTS™ software, which enables connectivity between ControlLogix and most popular 3^rd party device management software packages, supports all versions of the 1756 HART modules.

This announcement does not mean that Spectrum Controls’ HART modules are now obsolete.  Some key points to be considered are as follows:

Q:   What will be the difference between the new Rockwell branded modules and the existing Spectrum Controls modules that I have already been using?

A:   The new part numbers from Rockwell Automation will incorporate a new module ID number, will use a different module profile within RSLogix5000 and will have some slightly modified features that will closely match the operational characteristics of other Rockwell Automation analog modules.

Q:   Will I be able to do a flash upgrade of existing Spectrum Controls HART modules to the new Rockwell catalog number firmware revision?

A:   No, the Spectrum Controls catalog number modules will only be compatible with the Spectrum Controls firmware and the Spectrum Controls module profile.

Q:   What if I have an existing ControlLogix system that is already using Spectrum Controls analog+HART modules?  Will I now get my technical and application support from Rockwell Automation?

A:   Spectrum Controls will continue to provide complete technical and application support for the Spectrum Controls branded modules.  Contact Spectrum Controls at 425-746-9481 or you may contact the Rockwell Automation Tech-Connect application support team at 1-440-646-6900 for pre- and post-sale support.

Q:   What if I have an existing ControlLogix system that is already using Spectrum Controls analog+HART modules?  Will I be able to get existing modules repaired?

A:   Spectrum will continue to be the contact point for repair of all Spectrum branded modules.  Even though Spectrum Controls will be manufacturing the new Rockwell branded HART modules, you must contact Rockwell directly to arrange repair or replacement for the new Rockwell catalog numbers.

Q:   What if I have an existing ControlLogix system that is already using Spectrum Controls analog+HART modules?  Will I be able to purchase additional Spectrum Controls branded modules?

A:   Yes, for existing customers additional modules may be purchased on a case by case basis.  Please contact us and we will work with Rockwell Automation to get their approval for you to purchase additional modules to match the Spectrum branded modules that you are already using.

Q:   Spectrum Controls also makes the analog+HART input and output modules for CompactLogix and MicroLogix 1500 (1769scIF4IH and 1769sc-OF4IH).  Will the transition of the ControlLogix modules affect the status of the 1769 modules?

A:   There will be no change in the status of these modules.  You may still purchase these modules through your local Rockwell Automation distributor.  Contact Spectrum Controls or the Rockwell Automation Tech-Connect application support team for pre- and post-sale support information.

You may also be aware that Spectrum Controls recently released the FieldPort analog+HART I/O block which provides Ethernet/IP connectivity for HART instruments to legacy SLC500 and PLC5 systems.  Please contact us for any information you might need with regard to this important new product. 

Please contact Spectrum Controls at 425-746-9481 if you have any questions regarding the transition of these products.

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About Spectrum Controls
Since 1983, Spectrum Controls has continued to be the premier provider of hardware and related software products for the industrial controls marketplace. Products fall into three major categories: I/O modules, human-machine interfaces and communications devices. Corporate headquarters is located in Bellevue, Washington. For more information, visit our Web site at www.spectrumcontrols.com, email spectrum@spectrumcontrols.com or telephone 425-746-9481.