Description
3. Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Catalog Number | 1756-A13 |
| Number of Slots | 13 |
| Backplane Current (Chassis / Slot Max) @ 1.2 V DC | 1.5 A / – |
| Backplane Current (Chassis / Slot Max) @ 3.3 V DC | 4 A / 4 A |
| Backplane Current (Chassis / Slot Max) @ 5.1 V DC | 15 A / 6 A |
| Backplane Current (Chassis / Slot Max) @ 24 V DC | 2.8 A / 2.8 A |
| Power Dissipation, Max | 5.4 W |
| Mounting | Horizontal only, panel |
| Minimum Cabinet Size (H × W × D) | 60.9 × 76.2 × 20.3 cm (24 × 30 × 8 in.) |
| Weight, Approx. | 1.90 kg (4.2 lb) |
| Enclosure Type | None (open-style) |
| Operating Temperature (Series B) | 0…60 °C (32…140 °F) |
| Operating Temperature (Series C) | –25…+60 °C (–13…+140 °F) |
| Storage Temperature | –40…+85 °C (–40…+185 °F) |
| Relative Humidity | 5…95 % non-condensing |
| Functional Earth Ground Wire | 8.3 mm² (8 AWG) solid or stranded, ≥90 °C |
| Protective Earth Ground Wire | 2.1 mm² (14 AWG) solid or stranded, ≥90 °C |
| Compatible Power Supplies | 1756-PA72, PA75, PB72, PB75, and slim equivalents |
| Compatible Controllers | ControlLogix 5560, 5570, 5580 families |
4. Product Introduction
The Allen-Bradley 1756-A13 is the 13-slot standard chassis for the ControlLogix platform. It provides the mechanical mounting and high-speed backplane that distribute power and data among controllers, communication modules, and I/O modules.
Engineers select this chassis when a system needs more than ten slots but does not require the full 17-slot footprint. It accepts any combination of ControlLogix modules within the published current limits and mounts only horizontally on a panel. The open-style design fits inside a standard industrial enclosure and remains fully supported for both new installations and expansions of existing Logix systems.
5. Troubleshooting Quick Reference
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Relevance to this Part | Quick Check Method | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No power to any modules | Power supply failure or missing | ❌ Low | Measure 5.1 V and 24 V on backplane with modules removed | Verify or replace chassis power supply first |
| One or more slots dead | Bent or contaminated backplane connector | ✅ High | Inspect slot connectors for damage or debris | Clean carefully or replace chassis if pins are bent |
| Modules report chassis fault | Exceeded backplane current limits | ✅ High | Calculate total module current vs. 15 A / 2.8 A ratings | Redistribute modules or add another chassis |
| Intermittent communication | Loose mounting or poor grounding | ✅ Medium | Check mounting torque and earth ground connections | Re-seat chassis and verify functional/protective earth |
| Power supply overheats | Inadequate ventilation or overloaded | ✅ Medium | Confirm cabinet airflow and total power dissipation | Improve cooling or reduce module load |
| New module will not recognize | Incompatible series or firmware | ❌ Low | Confirm module is listed for ControlLogix chassis | Issue is almost always the module, not the chassis |
If problems persist after these checks, photograph the chassis series letter, power-supply model, and module layout, then contact technical support with the diagnostic details.

1756-A13
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I mount the 1756-A13 vertically?
A: No. It is designed for horizontal mounting only. Vertical orientation can cause overheating and is not supported.
Q: What is the difference between Series B and Series C?
A: Series C extends the operating temperature range to –25 °C. Electrical ratings and mechanical dimensions remain the same. Confirm the series letter on the label before ordering for extreme-temperature applications.
Q: Do I need a power supply with this chassis?
A: Yes. The chassis itself contains no power supply. You must install a compatible 1756 power supply (PA72/PA75 AC or PB72/PB75 DC) in the left-side power-supply slot.
Q: How many controllers can I put in one 1756-A13?
A: Multiple controllers are supported as long as total backplane current stays within limits. Most systems use one primary controller; additional controllers are typically used for redundancy or multi-controller architectures.
Q: Is the 1756-A13 still in production?
A: Yes. It remains an active ControlLogix chassis. New original and new-surplus units are readily available.
Q: Can I mix 1756 and 1769 modules in this chassis?
A: No. Only 1756 ControlLogix modules are compatible. CompactLogix 1769 modules require their own chassis or adapters.
Q: What is the maximum module current per slot?
A: 6 A at 5.1 V DC and 2.8 A at 24 V DC per slot. Always total the current draw of all modules against the chassis limits before final layout.

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