Choosing between PLCs and HMIs often comes down to a single question: do you need a bare controller to drop into an existing panel, or a complete PLC-and-operator-interface bundle to get a small machine running quickly? The AutomationDirect P1-550 CPU and the IDEC KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G represent those two very different paths. Here is how to decide.
Quick verdict
The AutomationDirect P1-550 is the lean pick when your panel already has the control power infrastructure in place and you want a capable CPU at a lower cost. The IDEC KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G is the all-in-one pick when you need a PLC, a color touchscreen HMI, programming software, a power supply, and cables in a single package. Both are new items, but they solve different problems.
Price and feature comparison
| Product | Listed price | Type | Memory / I/O | Communication and included extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AutomationDirect P1-550 CPU | USD 211.65 | CPU (Central Processing Unit) | Up to 50 MB ladder memory; external 24 VDC required | Dual 10/100Base-T Ethernet, RS-232, RS-485, micro-B USB, microSD slot, battery included |
| IDEC KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G | USD 1,185.12 | PLC & HMI starter kit | 384 kB memory; 16 I/O (9 digital inputs, 7 relay outputs); expandable to 400 I/O | Ethernet, RS-232C/RS-485, 0-10 VDC analog input, 4.3-inch HG1G color TFT, software, 60 W power supply, cables |
Where AutomationDirect P1-550 wins
Choose the P1-550 when your control panel is already set up to power and house a CPU, and you are comfortable building around a controller. Its lower listed price lets you spend on the I/O modules and operator display that match your exact application, rather than paying for a bundled package. If you are replacing or adding logic in an existing panel, this CPU is the more direct path.
Where IDEC KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G wins
Choose the IDEC kit when you need a working operator interface and logic in one purchase. The bundled display gives you a screen for machine status, and the included components remove most of the component-hunting from a small project. With onboard I/O and room to expand, the kit can grow with the machine, making it the better fit for a fresh control panel.
Product notes
NEW Automation Direct P1-550 Programmable Controller Productivity1000 CPU
The P1-550 is the controller-only route and carries the lower list price of the two. It offers up to 50 MB of ladder memory, a microSD card slot, dual 10/100Base-T Ethernet ports, one RS-232 port, one RS-485 port, and one micro-B USB port, so the CPU itself is well connected for logic, recipes, and program transfers. The battery is included, and an external 24 VDC supply is required. The trade-off is that you are buying the CPU, not a whole control station; the panel around it is up to you. If you already have a 24 VDC system and your own operator interface, this is the more focused and less expensive way to add processing power.
KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G IDEC Programmable Logic Controllers, FC6A Series PLC & HMI
The IDEC kit is the all-in-one route. It bundles the FC6A series PLC with a 4.3-inch HG1G color TFT display, programming software, a 60 W power supply, and cables. The controller side gives you 16 I/O in the starter configuration, with 9 digital inputs and 7 relay outputs, plus expansion capable of reaching 400 I/O. Communication choices include Ethernet, RS-232C/RS-485, and a 0-10 VDC analog input, and Modbus RTU master/slave support is part of the package. The larger commitment here is that you are paying for a complete HMI and power infrastructure even if your project only needed a bare CPU. If you want one box that can run a small machine, this kit is the more complete answer.
Final choice by use case
If you are minimizing the controller purchase and building the rest of the panel yourself, the AutomationDirect P1-550 Programmable Controller Productivity1000 CPU at USD 211.65 is the direct route. If you need a complete control station in one box, the IDEC KIT-FC6A-16-RA-HG1G at USD 1,185.12 is the better fit.
