Choosing between two PLC processors for a PLC or HMI project usually comes down to a familiar trade-off: do you want a processor with room for large programs and modern networking, or do you want a compact module with I/O already built in? That is exactly the decision between the NEW AutomationDirect P1-550 Programmable Controller Productivity1000 CPU and the UNUSED Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 Controller Processor PLC Module 1761-L32BWB. Both are made in the United States and both are ready for a real machine, but they are wired for different kinds of jobs.
Quick verdict
If your project is centered on program capacity, storage, and connectivity, the AutomationDirect P1-550 is the stronger pick. If you want a self-contained controller that can handle a small machine with fewer parts to mount and wire, the Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 1761-L32BWB is the better fit.
Product comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Level | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| AutomationDirect P1-550 CPU | $211.65 | Up to 50 MB ladder memory, microSD card slot, dual Ethernet, serial ports, microB-USB | |
| Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 1761-L32BWB | $299.00 | 32 total I/O points, 20 digital inputs, 12 relay outputs, 24V DC, RS-232, high-speed counter |
Where each product wins
AutomationDirect P1-550 wins for programs that need more room. Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 wins for wiring simplicity in a compact machine.
Product notes
NEW AutomationDirect P1-550 Programmable Controller Productivity1000 CPU
At $211.65, this new P1-550 CPU is the lower-priced option and it leans heavily on program space and communication flexibility. The Productivity1000 CPU provides up to 50 MB of ladder memory, a microSD card slot for storage, twin Ethernet ports, and a microB-USB port for programming, alongside serial options. It needs an external 24 VDC supply, and a battery is included. Choose it when you want to centralize your program and connect multiple devices from one CPU. The limitation is that the unit centers on the processor and its ports, so you will need to plan your input and output wiring around a separate I/O strategy rather than relying on a built-in brick.
UNUSED Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 Controller Processor PLC Module 1761-L32BWB
At $299.00, this unused Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 1761-L32BWB is a complete PLC processor module with a specific set of onboard I/O. It has 32 total I/O points, split as 20 sinking/sourcing 24V DC digital inputs and 12 relay outputs, plus a built-in high-speed counter. The 24V DC input power range is 20.4 to 26.4V DC, and maximum power consumption is 7 W. Communication is through one RS-232 port, and memory is 1 KB EEPROM, roughly 737 instruction words and 437 data words. Choose it when you want a single compact controller for a small machine and you can live with a simpler communication setup. The trade-off is that the 1 KB EEPROM memory and single serial port make it less suited to large programs or networked HMI panels.
Final choice by use case
Pick the AutomationDirect P1-550 if your application centers on ambitious program sizes and a connected control panel. Pick the Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1000 if you want a compact processor that comes ready for a straightforward machine. For a panel with more room to grow, the P1-550 is the easier path. For a small, self-contained machine where wiring simplicity matters most, the MicroLogix 1000 is the more direct answer.
