2080-LC20-20QWB — Micro820 Controller, 20-Point, Relay and Transistor Outputs, 24V DC

The 2080-LC20-20QWB is a Micro820 programmable controller with 20 onboard I/O points — 12 inputs and 8 outputs — in a compact single-housing unit. It runs on 24V DC, programs in Connected Components Workbench (CCW), and supports EtherNet/IP as its native communication protocol. The output mix is relay and transistor: some contacts for load flexibility, some solid-state for fast-cycling applications. No separate power supply module, no chassis to specify. Plug in power and wire the field devices.

The Micro820 is a step above the Micro810 in the 2080 controller family, adding an Ethernet port that the 810 lacks. That Ethernet port changes what's possible — EtherNet/IP communication to CompactLogix controllers, direct HMI connection to a PanelView 800, remote monitoring from a SCADA system. For applications where a small standalone controller needs to be part of a networked system, the Micro820 covers that without a communication expansion module.

Specifications

Parameter	Value
Part Number	2080-LC20-20QWB
Series	Micro820
Onboard Inputs	12 × 24V DC (sinking/sourcing)
Onboard Relay Outputs	6 × relay (Form A, 240V AC / 30V DC, 2A)
Onboard Transistor Outputs	2 × 24V DC sourcing (0.5A)
Total Onboard I/O	20 points
Expansion I/O	Up to 3 × 2080 plug-in modules
Communication	1 × Ethernet (EtherNet/IP), 1 × Serial (RS-232/485)
USB Port	1 × USB Type B (programming)
Program Memory	10 KB
Data Memory	10 KB
Programming Software	Connected Components Workbench (CCW)
Languages	Ladder Diagram, Function Block, Structured Text
Power Supply	24V DC (20.4–26.4V)
High-Speed Inputs	2 × up to 100 kHz (inputs 0 and 1)
Operating Temperature	0°C to 55°C
Standards	UL 508, CE, C-Tick, IEC 61131-3

Onboard I/O — The Mixed Output Logic

Six relay outputs and two transistor outputs isn't a random combination. It reflects realistic small-machine I/O requirements. The relay contacts handle the loads that need voltage flexibility or isolation — a 120V AC pilot lamp, a 240V AC contactorcoil, or a 24V DC device on a circuit physically separate from the controller's supply. Relay contacts care about your load voltage as long as it stays within 240V AC / 30V DC; they don't discriminate between AC and DC, or between one supply reference and another.

The two transistor outputs complement the relays for the high-cycle, fast-switching loads where relay contact wear would be a concern. A 24V DC solenoid valve cycling 30 times per minute over two shifts a day doesn't want to be on a relay output — at that rate, relay contacts can wear noticeably within months. The solid-state outputs handle it without wear. Planning which loads go on which output type during the design phase saves maintenance interventions later.

The 12 inputs accept both PNP (sourcing) and NPN (sinking) sensors. Standard 24V DC proximity switches, photoelectrics, limit switches, and pushbuttons all connect directly. Inputs 0 and 1 have high-speed counter capability at up to 100 kHz — useful for encoder feedback, flow meter pulse counting, or tachometer inputs without a separate counter module.

What 20 Points Gets You in Practice

Twenty I/O points handles a surprisingly complete set of small machine functions:

8 proximity sensors or limit switches detecting part presence, positions, or end-of-travel conditions
2 operator pushbuttons (start, stop) plus 2 selector switches (mode, speed range)
4 solenoid valve outputs for a pneumatic circuit with two independent actuators
2 motor starter outputs for a two-motor drive sequence
2 indicator outputs (run, fault) for panel pilot lights

That leaves 2–4 points spare for growth or interlocks not yet identified at design time — a reasonable buffer. When 20 points isn't enough, up to three 2080 plug-in modules add analog I/O, additional digital points, or communication ports without changing the controller base.

FAQ

Q: Can the Micro820 communicate with a CompactLogix controller?

Yes — over EtherNet/IP using the Produced/Consumed tag mechanism or MSG instructions. The Micro820 can exchange data with a CompactLogix in a peer-to-peer configuration, with the CompactLogix acting as the master if needed. This works well for systems where a small standalone machine needs to coordinate with a larger PLC.

Q: Is motion control possible on the Micro820?

Basic pulse-and-direction stepper control is available using the high-speed transistor outputs and CCW's motion instructions. Closed-loop servo control is not supported on the Micro820. For servo motion, a higher-tier controller or a standalone servo drive with onboard motion programming (like a Kinetix 300) is needed.

Q: Can the relay outputs switch 120V AC loads?

Yes. The relay contacts are rated to 240V AC at 2A resistive — 120V AC loads are well within this range. Use AC-3 derating for motor loads: the contact current rating is lower for inductive motor circuits than for resistive loads.

Q: What happens to outputs on power loss?

On power loss, relay outputs de-energize (contacts open) and transistor outputs de-energize (outputs go low) — the natural fail-safe state for most loads. On power restoration, the controller restarts and executes the program from its first scan.

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