1746-A13 — SLC 500 13-Slot Modular Chassis

The 1746-A13 is the largest standard chassis in the SLC 500 modular system, providing backplane connections and physical housing for a power supply plus up to twelve processor, I/O, communication, or specialty modules. Eight mounting tabs allow direct panel mounting to an enclosure subpanel, and the chassis can be interconnected with up to two additional chassis using rack interconnect cables for systems needing more than 13 total module positions.

Specifications

Parameter	Value
Part Number	1746-A13
Total Slots	13
Power Supply Position	Dedicated, left side (not counted in the 13 slots)
Backplane Current	10 A @ 5.1V DC, 2.88 A @ 24V DC
Mounting	8 tabs, direct panel mount, M4/M5 screws
Multi-Chassis Support	Up to 3 chassis interconnected via rack cables
Dimensions (W x H x D)	~50.2 x 17.1 x 14.5 cm
Operating Temperature	0°C to 60°C

Planning a Large SLC 500 Build Around 13 Slots

At thirteen slots, this chassis is the right choice when a project's module count genuinely needs the largest single-chassis option in the SLC 500 line — a full mix of digital and analog I/O, multiple communication modules, and specialty cards alongside the processor. Because each module occupies one slot regardless of point density, the planning exercise is the same as on smaller chassis: count actual modules against the available twelve user slots (the thirteenth being dedicated to the power supply), not raw I/O point totals.

For systems that even thirteen slots can't accommodate, the chassis interconnect capability extends the system to up to three total chassis using rack interconnect cables, giving access to 30 total module slots across the combined system from a single processor in the leftmost chassis. This is the standard scaling path within the SLC 500 platform before a system genuinely outgrows what the architecture can support.

When planning backplane power across a fully populated 13-slot chassis, sum the 5V and 24V current draw of every planned module against the selected power supply's rated capacity before finalizing the build — a heavily populated chassis with communication and specialty modules can approach a smaller power supply's limits faster than the slot count alone might suggest.

FAQ

Q: Is the power supply slot counted among the chassis's 13 slots?

No. The power supply occupies a dedicated position on the left side of the chassis, separate from and not counted among the 13 numbered module slots.

Q: How many chassis can be linked together for a larger system?

Up to three chassis can be interconnected using rack interconnect cables, with the processor or I/O adapter installed in the leftmost slot of the chassis chain managing communication across the combined system.

Q: What clearance does this chassis need for proper cooling?

A minimum of roughly 15 cm of clearance above the chassis and 10 cm on each side is recommended for adequate ventilation, with somewhat reduced spacing acceptable specifically around rack interconnect cable connections.

Q: Can any combination of SLC 500 modules be installed across the 12 available user slots?

Yes, within the constraints of the chosen power supply's backplane current rating — any mix of digital I/O, analog I/O, communication, and specialty modules compatible with the SLC 500 platform can populate the available slots as the application requires.

1746-A13 AB Ser.B SLC500 Slots PLC Chassis Rack 1746A13 New Sealed