Allen-Bradley 1394 Series Servo Modules: 1394-AM07

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Allen-Bradley 1394 Series Technical Notes

The Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) 1394 Series is a multi-axis AC servo drive system engineered for high-precision motion control in continuous-process and discrete manufacturing environments. Deployed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power auxiliary systems, automotive assembly lines, and paper mill winding applications, the 1394 platform established a benchmark for coordinated multi-axis servo control in the 1990s and 2000s. Its modular backplane architecture allows a single chassis to host a system controller alongside up to four axis modules, reducing panel footprint and simplifying inter-axis synchronization. Despite its end-of-life classification by Rockwell Automation, the 1394 Series remains installed in thousands of facilities worldwide, creating sustained demand for spare parts, repair services, and lifecycle extension support.

The Evolution of 1394 Architecture

The 1394 platform was introduced in the mid-1990s as a successor to Rockwell's earlier 1391 and 1392 single-axis drive families. The core design philosophy shifted from standalone drives to a shared-bus, multi-axis chassis that allowed a single DC bus to power multiple servo axes simultaneously, improving energy efficiency and reducing wiring complexity.

Generation 1 (1394-SJT / GMT chassis): The original 1394 chassis used the SJT (Servo Junction Terminal) controller module paired with GMT (General Motion Task) axis modules. Communication relied on Rockwell's proprietary SERCOS fiber-optic ring, providing deterministic motion control at 2 Mbps and 4 Mbps ring rates. These units were programmed via RSLogix 5 or RSLogix 500 and integrated tightly with PLC-5 and SLC 500 controllers.

Generation 2 (1394-AM / BC axis modules): Subsequent revisions introduced the AM-series axis modules with expanded continuous current ratings (from 4A to 75A RMS) and the BC-series for smaller servo applications. The system controller was updated to support DeviceNet and Remote I/O communication, enabling integration with ControlLogix platforms via 1756-DHRIO or 1756-DNB bridge modules.

Transition to Kinetix: Rockwell Automation announced the 1394 Series as end-of-life and directed users toward the Kinetix 6000 (2094 Series) and Kinetix 6500 platforms. The Kinetix 6000 offers a functionally equivalent shared-bus multi-axis architecture with EtherNet/IP integration and CIP Motion support. Migration requires new servo motors (MPL or VPL series) and updated cabling, making direct drop-in replacement impossible without engineering effort. As a result, the 1394 installed base continues to rely on the secondary market for spare modules.

1394 Series Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

System Controllers

• 1394-SJT05: System controller, 5-axis capacity, SERCOS fiber ring, 2/4 Mbps, PLC-5 compatible.
• 1394-SJT10: System controller, 10-axis capacity, expanded task memory, Remote I/O port.
• 1394-SJT22: System controller, 22-axis capacity, high-density motion coordination, DeviceNet option.

Axis Modules – AM Series

• 1394-AM04: Axis module, 4A continuous output, 230/460VAC input, for low-inertia servo axes.
• 1394-AM07: Axis module, 7A continuous / 5 kW, 460VAC, standard mid-range servo axis drive.
• 1394-AM25: Axis module, 25A continuous, 460VAC, suitable for medium-torque servo applications.
• 1394-AM35: Axis module, 35A continuous, 460VAC, high-torque axis for heavy-load positioning.
• 1394-AM50: Axis module, 50A continuous, 460VAC, large servo axis for press and winding lines.
• 1394-AM75: Axis module, 75A continuous, 460VAC, maximum-current axis module in the AM range.

Axis Modules – BC Series (Compact)

• 1394-BC02: Compact axis module, 2A continuous, 230VAC, for small servo axes in compact chassis.
• 1394-BC05: Compact axis module, 5A continuous, 230VAC, cost-optimized for light-duty motion.

Power Supplies / DC Bus Modules

• 1394-GM01: AC input power module, 460VAC 3-phase, 15 kW shared DC bus supply.
• 1394-GM02: AC input power module, 460VAC 3-phase, 30 kW shared DC bus supply, regenerative option.

Turbo / High-Performance Axis Modules

• 1394-TM02: Turbo axis module, 2A, enhanced bandwidth for high-speed servo applications.
• 1394-TM05: Turbo axis module, 5A, high-bandwidth control loop for precision contouring.

Communication & Interface Modules

• 1394-SR9: SERCOS ring interface card, 9-node capacity, fiber-optic, for SJT controller expansion.
• 1394-DN: DeviceNet scanner module for 1394 chassis, enables ControlLogix integration via CIP.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete 1394 Series Parts

For facilities operating 1394-based motion systems beyond their original design life, DriveKNMS provides the following lifecycle extension services:

Quality Control for the 1394 Range

The 1394 Series uses a shared DC bus backplane with high-frequency PWM switching at the axis module level. Standard visual inspection and power-on testing are insufficient to verify the integrity of the IGBT output stage, gate driver circuits, and SERCOS fiber transceiver. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all 1394 units prior to shipment: