Allen-Bradley 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 Replacement for 1336 FORCE

Product Overview

Allen-Bradley 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 Replacement for 1336 FORCE: Seamless Transition to a Compatible EtherNet/IP AC Drive

The Allen-Bradley 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 is a 20 HP (15 kW) AC variable frequency drive from the 1336 FORCE series, designed for demanding industrial motion control applications. As Rockwell Automation has progressively discontinued the 1336 FORCE product line, facilities running legacy conveyor systems, pump stations, compressor banks, and multi-axis machine tools are now facing an urgent need to source verified replacement units or plan a structured migration to a supported drive platform. TOPNLMS maintains ready stock of the 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 to support both immediate spare-part replacement and phased system modernization projects.

This drive operates on a 480V AC three-phase input and delivers a rated output current suitable for standard NEMA frame induction motors. The integrated EtherNet/IP communication adapter — indicated by the -EN option code — allows the drive to participate directly in a Logix-based control architecture, exchanging I/O data and explicit messaging with a ControlLogix or CompactLogix controller over a standard 100 Mbps Ethernet network. Facilities that have already standardized on Studio 5000 Logix Designer and a Device Level Ring (DLR) topology will find that the 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 integrates without requiring a separate communication gateway or protocol converter.

Compatibility Comparison Table

Seamless Upgrade Solutions

A successful 1336 FORCE replacement rarely involves the drive alone. In most retrofit projects, the drive is one node in a broader control architecture that includes a ControlLogix or CompactLogix controller backplane, a 1756-EN2T or 1756-EN2TR EtherNet/IP bridge module, and a 1492-series terminal block wiring system that interfaces the drive’s analog and digital I/O to field instruments. When the 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 is swapped into an existing panel, engineers typically verify the 24 VDC control power supply — often a 1606-XLP or equivalent Allen-Bradley power supply module — to confirm it can sustain the drive’s control board and any connected 1201-HB2 HIM panel.

For sites migrating from a legacy Remote I/O or DH+ network to EtherNet/IP, the addition of a 1788-EN2DN or 1788-ENBT linking device may be required to bridge any remaining DeviceNet or DH+ segments that coexist with the new Ethernet backbone. Where the motor feedback loop relies on an incremental encoder, the -HCS2 encoder option on this drive maintains compatibility with standard 5V or 12V quadrature encoders already wired to the existing 1336 FORCE encoder interface board, eliminating the need to re-pull encoder cables or recalibrate the feedback scaling in the drive parameters.

Panel space is frequently a constraint in retrofit work. The 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 occupies the same chassis width and depth as the unit it replaces, so existing DIN rail mounts, cable trays, and conduit entries remain undisturbed. If the project scope extends to replacing adjacent I/O infrastructure, 1734 POINT I/O adapter modules and 1756 ControlLogix I/O modules can be added to the same EtherNet/IP segment without requiring a separate network switch, provided the existing managed switch supports IGMP snooping for implicit I/O multicast traffic.

For applications where the 1336 FORCE is being retired entirely in favor of a PowerFlex 755 or PowerFlex 525 platform, TOPNLMS can supply both the legacy 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 as a bridge unit to maintain production continuity and the target PowerFlex drive for parallel commissioning. This dual-supply approach allows the maintenance team to validate the new drive’s parameter configuration and motor tuning on a test bench before the scheduled maintenance window, reducing live changeover time to under two hours in most cases.

Retrofit Guidance FAQ

Q: Can I restore my existing parameter file directly to this replacement unit?
A: Yes. Parameter files saved via DriveExplorer, DriveExecutive, or a 1201-series HIM memory cartridge are fully compatible with this unit, provided the firmware revision of the replacement matches or exceeds the revision of the original drive. TOPNLMS will confirm the firmware revision prior to shipment upon request.

Q: Do I need to rewire the power and control terminals?
A: No rewiring is required. The 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 uses the same terminal block layout as all 1336 FORCE 20 HP chassis units. R/S/T input terminals, U/V/W output terminals, and the 24 VDC control terminal strip are in identical positions.

Q: Is the EtherNet/IP adapter pre-configured, or does it require setup?
A: The -EN adapter ships with factory default IP settings. You will need to assign a static IP address using BOOTP/DHCP or RSLinx Classic before adding the drive to your Studio 5000 project. The existing Add-On Profile (AOP) for the 1336 FORCE in your controller project does not need to be replaced.

Q: What if my existing system uses a 1336 FORCE on a Remote I/O network, not EtherNet/IP?
A: The -EN option on this unit means it communicates via EtherNet/IP. If your system still uses Remote I/O, contact TOPNLMS to discuss alternative 1336 FORCE configurations or a 1788-series linking device to bridge the two networks during a phased migration.

Q: How is physical installation space affected?
A: The 1336 FORCE 20 HP chassis dimensions are unchanged. Existing panel cutouts, mounting holes, and cable management hardware are fully reusable.

Warranty Assurance

Every 1336F-BRF20-AA-EN-HCS2 unit shipped by TOPNLMS undergoes a pre-shipment functional test covering input rectifier integrity, DC bus voltage regulation, output phase balance, and EtherNet/IP communication handshake verification. Units are packed in anti-static foam with original-style carton protection and shipped via DHL Express or FedEx International Priority from our Xiamen warehouse, with typical transit times of 3–7 business days to most destinations.

TOPNLMS provides a 12-month warranty covering manufacturing defects and functional failures under normal operating conditions. In the event of a warranty claim, our technical team will assess the fault remotely within 24 business hours. Confirmed warranty cases are resolved by priority replacement shipment at no additional cost to the buyer. Detailed test reports and shipment documentation are available upon request to support your incoming inspection and asset management records.

For volume orders, blanket purchase agreements, or expedited sourcing of additional 1336 FORCE series components, contact our sales team directly.