Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1A Replacement for 1336T PLUS

Product Overview

Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1A Replacement for 1336T PLUS: Seamless Migration & Compatibility Upgrade

The Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1A is a communications option board designed for the 1336T PLUS AC Drive series. As Rockwell Automation progressively phases out legacy 1336T PLUS drive components, many facilities running aging variable-frequency drive (VFD) systems face the challenge of sourcing reliable, drop-in replacement boards without triggering a full drive replacement or extended production shutdown. TOPNLMS stocks verified 1336T-GTB-SP1A units ready for immediate dispatch, enabling your maintenance team to restore drive communications with minimal downtime.

This communications option board supports the Remote I/O (RIO) protocol, allowing the 1336T PLUS drive to integrate directly into Allen-Bradley PLC-5, SLC 500, and ControlLogix-based control architectures. Whether your plant is running a legacy PLC-5/40 with a 1771 I/O chassis or a mid-generation SLC 5/04 with DH+ network topology, the 1336T-GTB-SP1A slots into the drive’s option board bay without requiring firmware changes or rewiring of the existing RIO cable trunk. The board’s DIP switch configuration mirrors the original factory settings, meaning your existing node address, baud rate (57.6K or 115.2K), and rack/group/slot assignments carry over directly.

For sites migrating from older 1336 PLUS (non-T) drives or the earlier 1336 IMPACT series, the 1336T-GTB-SP1A provides a compatible upgrade path when combined with the appropriate 1336T PLUS drive chassis. The board’s edge connector pinout and option bay form factor are consistent across the 1336T PLUS family, so technicians familiar with the 1336T-GT1-SP34B or 1336T-LM1EN option modules will find the installation procedure identical. No special programming cable or HIM (Human Interface Module) is required for board installation — the drive’s existing 1201-HA2 or 1201-HAS2 HIM can be used to verify parameter settings post-installation.

In distributed drive panel applications, the 1336T-GTB-SP1A is commonly installed alongside the 74101-954-52C and 74103-015-52A internal assemblies, which govern the drive’s power interface and control board interconnects. When replacing the communications board in the field, it is best practice to inspect these assemblies for signs of thermal stress or connector oxidation, particularly in high-cycle pump and fan applications where the drive operates continuously. TOPNLMS can supply these companion components as part of a coordinated spare parts order to reduce the number of site visits required.

From a control cabinet space perspective, the 1336T-GTB-SP1A occupies the standard option board slot on the 1336T PLUS drive and does not require additional DIN rail space, external power supply, or supplementary terminal blocks. This is a significant advantage over gateway-based retrofit solutions, which often require a separate 24 VDC supply, additional wiring to the drive’s control terminals, and configuration of a protocol converter — all of which introduce additional failure points and commissioning time. The direct-slot installation of the 1336T-GTB-SP1A preserves the original cabinet layout and keeps the drive’s UL/CE listing intact.

For facilities planning a phased migration toward PowerFlex 40, PowerFlex 400, or PowerFlex 755 drives, maintaining the 1336T PLUS fleet in reliable operation during the transition period is critical. The 1336T-GTB-SP1A allows the existing RIO network to remain fully operational while the new drive infrastructure is commissioned in parallel. This approach avoids the need to simultaneously retool the PLC program, rewire the I/O, and reconfigure the HMI — tasks that, when combined, significantly extend planned outage windows. By stabilizing the legacy drive communications first, your engineering team can sequence the migration on a drive-by-drive basis, validating each new PowerFlex installation before decommissioning the corresponding 1336T PLUS unit.

TOPNLMS maintains stock of the 1336T-GTB-SP1A and related 1336T PLUS option boards at our Xiamen warehouse. All units undergo functional verification prior to dispatch, including option board recognition testing within a live 1336T PLUS drive chassis. Units are shipped with original-style packaging and include a printed test report. Standard lead time is 1–3 business days for in-stock items, with express DHL/FedEx options available for urgent breakdown situations. We serve customers in mainland China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Compatibility Comparison Table

Seamless Upgrade Solutions

A successful 1336T PLUS communications board replacement rarely involves a single component in isolation. In practice, the 1336T-GTB-SP1A is most often installed as part of a broader drive maintenance or migration activity. The following components are frequently required in the same service window:

The 1336T-GT1-SP34B is the companion analog I/O option board for the 1336T PLUS, providing speed reference and feedback signal conditioning. If the communications board has failed due to a power surge, the analog I/O board in the adjacent option slot should be inspected simultaneously. Similarly, the 1336T-LM1EN encoder feedback option module is commonly installed in motion-critical applications such as winders and extruders; verifying its integrity during a communications board swap prevents a second unplanned outage.

For the drive’s internal power and control interconnects, the 74101-954-52C power interface assembly and 74103-015-52A control board assembly are the most frequently replaced wear items in aging 1336T PLUS drives. Stocking these alongside the 1336T-GTB-SP1A is standard practice for facilities with multiple 1336T PLUS units in service.

On the network side, sites running DH+ (Data Highway Plus) alongside RIO will often need a 1784-KTX or 1784-PKTX programming card to access the PLC-5 or SLC 500 processor for parameter verification after the drive board replacement. For ControlLogix-based systems, the 1756-DHRIO communication module bridges the legacy RIO network to the Logix backplane, and its configuration should be reviewed whenever a new RIO node is added or an existing node address is changed.

In control cabinets where the 1336T PLUS drives share a common 24 VDC control power bus, a 1606-XLP power supply or equivalent Allen-Bradley compact power supply is often present. Verifying its output voltage stability is a recommended step before commissioning the replacement communications board, as undervoltage conditions on the control bus are a common root cause of option board communication faults. For signal integrity on long RIO cable runs, 1770-CD (blue hose) RIO cable termination resistors and cable shield grounding should also be inspected as part of the retrofit procedure.

Retrofit Guidance FAQ

Q: Can I replace the 1336T-GTB-SP1A without taking the drive offline?
A: No. The option board must be installed with the drive powered down and locked out. The 1336T PLUS drive does not support hot-swap of option boards. Allow a minimum of 5 minutes after power removal for the DC bus capacitors to discharge before opening the drive enclosure.

Q: Do I need to re-enter drive parameters after replacing the communications board?
A: Drive parameters stored in the 1336T PLUS EEPROM are not affected by option board replacement. However, the RIO node address, baud rate, and rack/group/slot DIP switch settings on the new board must be configured to match the original board before powering up. Document these settings from the failed board before removal.

Q: Will the PLC program require modification after the board swap?
A: If the DIP switch settings on the replacement board match the original, the PLC program requires no modification. The drive will appear on the RIO network at the same node address and the existing ladder logic will communicate with it transparently.

Q: Is the 1336T-GTB-SP1A compatible with ControlLogix systems?
A: Yes, indirectly. ControlLogix communicates with RIO devices via the 1756-DHRIO module. As long as the 1756-DHRIO is configured as the RIO scanner and the 1336T-GTB-SP1A node address is within the scanner’s rack table, the drive will communicate normally with the ControlLogix controller.

Q: What is the physical installation procedure?
A: Power down and lock out the drive. Remove the drive’s front cover. Locate the option board bay (typically labeled OPT1 or OPT2 in the 1336T PLUS). Set the DIP switches on the replacement board to match the original configuration. Seat the board firmly into the edge connector. Replace the front cover and restore power. Verify RIO communication status via the drive’s status LED or the PLC’s I/O tree.

Q: Can this board be used in a 1336 PLUS (non-T) drive?
A: The 1336T-GTB-SP1A is designed for the 1336T PLUS platform. The earlier 1336 PLUS and 1336 IMPACT drives use a different option board form factor and are not compatible. For those platforms, a separate communications option board part number is required.

Warranty Assurance

Every 1336T-GTB-SP1A shipped by TOPNLMS is covered by a 12-month warranty from the date of delivery. Our pre-shipment testing protocol includes option board recognition verification in a live 1336T PLUS drive chassis, communication link establishment at both supported baud rates, and visual inspection for connector damage, corrosion, and component integrity. A printed test report is included with each shipment.

In the event of a warranty claim, TOPNLMS will arrange a replacement unit dispatch within 3 business days of receiving the returned item and confirming the fault. We do not require the customer to wait for repair completion before dispatching the replacement — our advance replacement policy minimizes your exposure to extended downtime. Return shipping costs for warranty claims are covered by TOPNLMS for orders within mainland China; international warranty returns are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Our after-sales team is reachable via email at [email protected] or by phone at +86 18359293191 during business hours (GMT+8). For urgent breakdown situations, we recommend contacting us by phone to expedite order processing and arrange same-day dispatch where stock permits.

TOPNLMS is committed to providing industrial automation professionals with reliable, tested replacement components backed by transparent procurement terms. We maintain rolling stock of high-demand 1336T PLUS components to support both planned maintenance programs and emergency breakdown recovery.

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