Allen-Bradley SLC 500 (1746/1747) lifecycle status: what Rockwell says and what to do

The Allen-Bradley SLC 500 is the chassis-based PLC built from 1747 processors and accessories and 1746 I/O modules, chassis and power supplies. Plenty of machines still run on it. This page lists what Rockwell Automation itself says about each common catalog number – nothing from distributor lists. For the how-to of keeping an SLC running and moving to CompactLogix, see our SLC 500 end-of-life migration guide.

What Rockwell's own pages say

Rockwell's SLC 500 family page puts it plainly:

“Some SLC 500 Bulletin numbers are discontinued and no longer available for sale.”

– Rockwell Automation, SLC 500 Controllers (Rockwell Automation product page), checked September 29, 2026

For the parts most plants depend on, it is more than some. We opened Rockwell's product page for each catalog number in the tables below on September 29, 2026. Every processor in the table, from the SLC 5/01 to the SLC 5/05, shows Discontinued, with dates from January 31, 2017 (the 5/01 and 5/02) to March 31, 2024 (most 5/03, 5/04 and 5/05 models). The chassis, the rack power supplies and every 1746 I/O module we checked are discontinued too, with dates between April 2021 and September 2024.

Two items differ. The 1747-AENTR EtherNet/IP adapter – the module that lets a newer Logix controller run existing 1746 I/O – is End of Life: Rockwell has announced a discontinued date of February 15, 2027, and in Rockwell's terms an End of Life product can generally still be ordered until that date. The 1747-BA memory battery is still Active Mature. Our lifecycle status guide explains what each status means.

If a catalog number isn't in the tables, we haven't checked it – look it up on Rockwell's product lifecycle search.

Status by catalog number

As shown on each catalog number's Rockwell product page on September 29, 2026. Each catalog number links to a search of our stock.

Processors

I/O modules

Chassis & power supplies

Communication & accessories

Rockwell's migration path

The same Rockwell family page encourages SLC users to move to the CompactLogix 5380 platform. Rockwell's SLC 500 Hardware Migration reference manual (publication 1746-RM003F, January 2022) is the practical map: it lists a recommended CompactLogix controller for each SLC processor – for example a 5069-L306ER for a 1747-L551 or 1747-L552, and a 5069-L310ER for a 1747-L553 – and a recommended replacement for each 1746 I/O module, such as a 5069-IB16 or 1769-IQ16 for a 1746-IB16. For the 1747-SDN and 1747-SN scanners, the product pages name the 5069-AENTR (see the table).

For the program, Rockwell's SLC to CompactLogix Programming Migration guide (publication 5069-AP001) covers converting an RSLogix 500 project to Studio 5000. Treat the converted program as a draft to review offline, not a finished job.

What to do now

1. List every SLC system you run: processor, series and firmware (FRN), every module by slot, the power supply and network cards.
2. Mark each one against the tables above. Anything discontinued can't be bought new from Rockwell; for the 1747-AENTR, the clock is running to February 15, 2027.
3. Buy spares for the systems you can't afford to lose: one processor of each type with a firmware revision that runs your program, a power supply, one of each I/O and communication module and fresh batteries. Our PLC quote page takes single parts; a whole spares list goes through our ISO list form and gets an official written quote in under 24 hours on business days.
4. Back up every program with the processor's firmware revision noted.
5. Set a migration date, not just a budget line, and plan a phased move (processor first, I/O later) so each outage stays short.

SLC parts in our stock

Surplus and used units are now where SLC hardware comes from. Each catalog number in the tables links to a live search of our store; you can also browse all 1747 processors and accessories and 1746 I/O, chassis and power supplies. Every item we stock is photographed, so check the series and firmware on the label before you buy. Our guide to series and firmware explains what to look for.

Can't find a part, or need several? Send the catalog numbers through the obsolete parts quote page and we'll check our shelves and our sourcing network. Purchase orders are welcome; payment is due before we ship.