Technical Dossier
Product Details And Specifications
Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS Series Technical Notes
The Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS series is a family of AC variable frequency drives manufactured by Rockwell Automation. Deployed across global heavy industry — including petrochemical refineries, nuclear power auxiliary systems, offshore platforms, and continuous-process chemical plants — the 1336 PLUS platform established a benchmark for modular drive architecture in the 0.37 kW to 448 kW power range. Its distributed I/O structure, field-replaceable control boards, and standardized communication adapter slots made it the dominant installed base for industrial motor control throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Tens of thousands of units remain in active service, making spare part availability a critical operational concern for plant maintenance teams worldwide.
The Evolution of 1336 PLUS Architecture
The 1336 PLUS series succeeded the original 1336 IMPACT and 1336 FORCE platforms, consolidating Rockwell Automation's AC drive lineup under a unified hardware chassis. The first-generation 1336 PLUS (catalog prefix 1336A) introduced a modular main control board (MCB) architecture, separating the power structure from the logic and I/O layers. This allowed field replacement of control electronics without disturbing the power section — a significant serviceability advance for the era.
The second generation, 1336 PLUS II (catalog prefix 1336B), introduced enhanced DSP-based vector control, expanded communication adapter compatibility (DeviceNet, ControlNet, Profibus-DP, Ethernet/IP via 1203-series adapters), and improved EMC filtering. The MCB architecture was retained but the firmware and ASIC layers were revised, making MCBs non-interchangeable between 1336 PLUS and 1336 PLUS II without firmware validation.
By 2010, Rockwell Automation had transitioned its primary drive platform to the PowerFlex 700 and PowerFlex 755 series. The 1336 PLUS and 1336 PLUS II were formally declared end-of-life, with last-time-buy windows closing between 2012 and 2015. The series is now in full obsolescence, with no new production. All maintenance is dependent on aftermarket spare parts, refurbished boards, and specialist repair services.
Compatibility note: 1336 PLUS (1336A) and 1336 PLUS II (1336B) share physical form factors in some modules but differ in firmware architecture. Cross-substitution requires engineering validation. The PowerFlex 700 is the recommended modern replacement for new installations.
1336 PLUS Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)
Main Control Boards (MCB) — Drive Logic & Regulation
- 1336T-MCB-SP518 (74101-774-54): Main control board for 1336 PLUS II; handles vector regulation, I/O interface, and adapter slot management.
- 1336T-MCB-SP1: Standard MCB for 1336 PLUS II; base firmware revision for general-purpose V/Hz and sensorless vector modes.
- 1336T-MCB-SP2: MCB with enhanced closed-loop flux vector firmware; requires encoder feedback module.
- 1336A-MCB-SP1: Original 1336 PLUS (first-generation) main control board; not compatible with 1336 PLUS II chassis.
- 1336A-MCB-SP2: 1336 PLUS MCB with expanded parameter memory; used in high-inertia load applications.
Power Interface & Gate Driver Boards
- 1336T-BRF-SP1: IGBT gate driver board for 1336 PLUS II; interfaces MCB to power transistor stack.
- 1336T-BRF-SP2: Enhanced gate driver with short-circuit protection logic; used in 22–75 kW frames.
- 1336A-BRF-SP1: Gate driver board for original 1336 PLUS; frame B and C power ratings.
- 1336T-POW-SP1: Internal 24 VDC power supply board; provides logic rail voltage to MCB and I/O.
- 1336T-POW-SP2: Dual-output power supply board for drives with expanded I/O or communication adapters.
Communication Adapter Modules
- 1203-GD1: DeviceNet communication adapter; mounts in 1336 PLUS II adapter slot; supports explicit and I/O messaging.
- 1203-CN1: ControlNet adapter for 1336 PLUS II; scheduled and unscheduled data transfer.
- 1203-GK5: Ethernet/IP adapter; enables integration with Studio 5000 and FactoryTalk View.
- 1203-FM1: Profibus-DP adapter; used in European process industry installations.
Encoder & Feedback Modules
- 1336T-ENC-SP1: Incremental encoder feedback module; required for closed-loop flux vector operation.
- 1336T-ENC-SP2: Dual-channel encoder module; supports master-follower drive configurations.
Dynamic Braking & Precharge
- 1336T-BRK-SP1: Dynamic braking chopper board; dissipates regenerative energy via external resistor.
- 1336T-PRE-SP1: Precharge control board; manages DC bus soft-start sequence to protect capacitor bank.
Quality Control for the 1336 PLUS Range
The 1336 PLUS MCB and gate driver boards operate in high-frequency switching environments with complex backplane communication between the logic and power sections. Standard visual inspection is insufficient to validate board functionality. DriveKNMS applies a structured test protocol to all 1336 PLUS spare modules prior to dispatch: