Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1B Ruggedized Communication Module for Harsh Environments

Product Overview

Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1B Ruggedized Communication Module: Industrial Resilience for Harsh Environments

The Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1B is a factory-engineered communication option board designed for the 1336 PLUS series of AC variable-frequency drives. Built to operate reliably in the most demanding industrial environments — including high-temperature process lines, high-humidity coastal facilities, dust-laden mining operations, and vibration-intensive heavy manufacturing floors — this module delivers the signal integrity and protocol compatibility that mission-critical automation systems require. Whether deployed in a continuous production line or a hazardous-area control cabinet, the 1336T-GTB-SP1B maintains stable data exchange between the drive and the host control architecture without compromise.

In modern industrial facilities, the communication backbone between a variable-frequency drive and its supervisory controller is as critical as the drive itself. The 1336T-GTB-SP1B slots directly into the 1336 PLUS drive option bay, enabling seamless integration with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms — including the ControlLogix and SLC 500 families — via Remote I/O (RIO) protocol. This eliminates the need for external gateways or protocol converters, reducing wiring complexity, minimizing potential failure points, and simplifying cabinet layout in space-constrained enclosures. For facilities running legacy 1336 PLUS drives alongside newer Logix-based controllers, this board is the proven, OEM-specified interface solution.

Electromagnetic interference is a persistent threat in heavy industrial environments where large motors, welding equipment, and high-current switching devices operate in close proximity to control hardware. The 1336T-GTB-SP1B is designed with EMI shielding and signal isolation characteristics consistent with Allen-Bradley’s industrial-grade engineering standards, ensuring that communication integrity is maintained even when the drive is subjected to significant electrical noise on the plant floor. This makes it particularly well-suited for steel mills, petrochemical processing units, and water treatment facilities where EMI levels routinely exceed commercial-grade tolerances.

Thermal stability is another key performance dimension. Industrial drives in pump stations, compressor rooms, and HVAC plant rooms frequently operate in ambient temperatures that challenge standard electronics. The 1336T-GTB-SP1B is rated for the full operating temperature range of the 1336 PLUS drive platform, ensuring that the communication link remains active and error-free across the thermal cycles typical of 24/7 continuous operations. When paired with the 1336 PLUS drive’s onboard diagnostics and fault logging, the board supports rapid troubleshooting and minimizes unplanned downtime — a critical advantage in industries where every minute of production loss carries significant cost.

From a system architecture perspective, the 1336T-GTB-SP1B integrates naturally with a broader Allen-Bradley control ecosystem. In a typical control cabinet, it works alongside components such as the 1336 PLUS drive’s 1336T-MOD-F4 I/O option board for expanded analog and digital I/O, the 1747-SN SLC Remote I/O Scanner for multi-drop network configurations, and Allen-Bradley 1492 terminal blocks for clean, organized field wiring terminations. For applications requiring safety-rated control, the module can coexist with GuardLogix safety controllers and 440R safety relays within the same cabinet architecture, supporting a layered safety strategy without requiring a separate communication infrastructure.

In distributed control architectures — particularly those found in oil and gas upstream facilities, offshore platforms, and large-scale water treatment plants — the 1336T-GTB-SP1B enables the 1336 PLUS drive to participate as a node on a Remote I/O network managed by a ControlLogix or PLC-5 controller. This allows centralized SCADA systems to monitor drive status, issue speed references, and read fault codes in real time, supporting both predictive maintenance programs and regulatory compliance reporting. The board’s compatibility with the 1336 PLUS drive family — including the 1336 PLUS II and 1336 IMPACT variants where applicable — extends its value across a wide installed base of legacy equipment that remains in active service across global industrial facilities.

For maintenance engineers and procurement teams managing aging drive infrastructure, the 1336T-GTB-SP1B represents a high-value spare part. Sourcing a genuine, tested replacement board from a reliable supplier eliminates the risk of extended downtime caused by obsolete-part lead times. TOPNLMS maintains inventory of this module and related Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS accessories, including the 1336T-LM1EN communication option and associated interface hardware, to support rapid emergency replacement scenarios. All units are inspected and functionally verified prior to dispatch, with documentation available upon request to support incoming quality inspection processes.

Rugged Specifications Table

Comprehensive Protection Solutions

The 1336T-GTB-SP1B does not operate in isolation — it is one component within a carefully engineered control system designed for maximum uptime and safety. In a typical heavy-industry control cabinet, this communication board works in concert with the 1336 PLUS drive’s onboard I/O option boards such as the 1336T-MOD-F4, which provides additional analog reference inputs and digital I/O points for process feedback integration. Field wiring is typically terminated through Allen-Bradley 1492-W3 or 1492-W4 terminal blocks, which provide organized, vibration-resistant connections that maintain continuity even in high-shock environments.

For power quality and surge protection, the drive system is commonly protected upstream by Allen-Bradley 1321 line reactors and EMC filters, which suppress voltage transients and harmonic distortion that could otherwise degrade communication signal quality or damage the option board’s interface circuitry. In safety-critical applications, the drive and its communication board operate under the supervision of a GuardLogix 5570 safety controller, with safety-rated I/O modules such as the 1791DS-IB8XOBV4 providing the hardwired safety interlock signals required by IEC 62061 and ISO 13849 functional safety standards.

Where network redundancy is required — as in power generation and water treatment facilities — the RIO network carrying signals from the 1336T-GTB-SP1B may be supervised by a 1747-SN Remote I/O Scanner with redundant cabling, ensuring that a single cable fault does not interrupt drive control. In larger distributed architectures, the drive data is aggregated by a ControlLogix L7x controller and transmitted upstream to a SCADA system via an EtherNet/IP communication module such as the 1756-EN2T, providing plant-wide visibility of drive status, energy consumption, and fault history. This end-to-end architecture — from the 1336T-GTB-SP1B at the drive level to the enterprise SCADA layer — represents the kind of integrated, resilient control infrastructure that TOPNLMS supports through its inventory of genuine Allen-Bradley components and accessories.

Application in Critical Infrastructure

The Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1B finds its most demanding applications in industries where process continuity is non-negotiable and equipment failure carries consequences measured in lost production, environmental liability, or personnel safety risk.

In oil and gas upstream and midstream facilities, 1336 PLUS drives equipped with this communication board control pipeline booster pumps, gas compressors, and wellhead injection systems. The ability to monitor drive status and issue speed commands remotely via the RIO network allows operators to manage these assets from a central control room, reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous classified areas. The board’s robust design ensures reliable communication even in the presence of the high EMI levels generated by variable-speed pump motors and high-voltage switchgear common in these environments.

In mining and mineral processing, 1336 PLUS drives control conveyor systems, crushers, ball mills, and slurry pumps — applications characterized by heavy mechanical loads, frequent starts and stops, and exposure to coal dust, silica dust, and moisture. The 1336T-GTB-SP1B enables the mine’s PLC-based control system to maintain continuous oversight of drive operating parameters, supporting predictive maintenance programs that reduce unplanned conveyor stoppages and extend drive service life.

In power generation and utilities, the board supports drives controlling cooling water pumps, forced-draft fans, and auxiliary systems in thermal power plants. These applications demand 24/7 availability with zero tolerance for communication dropouts that could trigger protective shutdowns. The 1336T-GTB-SP1B’s proven reliability in this context makes it a preferred spare part for plant maintenance teams managing aging 1336 PLUS drive fleets.

In water and wastewater treatment, drives equipped with this communication board control submersible pumps, aeration blowers, and sludge dewatering equipment. Municipal water authorities and industrial effluent treatment operators rely on the RIO communication link to integrate drive control into their SCADA systems, enabling automated flow control, energy optimization, and regulatory compliance monitoring.

In steel and metals processing, the board supports drives on rolling mill auxiliary drives, cooling bed conveyors, and fume extraction fans — environments where ambient temperatures, vibration levels, and electromagnetic interference are among the most severe encountered in any industrial setting. The 1336T-GTB-SP1B’s ability to maintain communication integrity under these conditions makes it an essential component for steel plant maintenance engineers seeking to extend the operational life of their existing 1336 PLUS drive infrastructure.

Security & Quality FAQ

Q1: What warranty coverage is provided with the 1336T-GTB-SP1B?
All 1336T-GTB-SP1B units supplied by TOPNLMS are covered by a 12-month warranty from the date of shipment. This warranty covers manufacturing defects and functional failures under normal operating conditions. In the event of a warranty claim, TOPNLMS will arrange replacement or repair at no additional cost to the buyer, subject to inspection confirming the failure is not attributable to misapplication, physical damage, or installation error.

Q2: How is each unit tested and verified before shipment?
Every unit undergoes a pre-shipment inspection process that includes visual examination for physical damage, verification of part number markings and revision codes, and functional testing where applicable. New and surplus-new units are verified against original Allen-Bradley packaging and labeling standards. Refurbished units are tested to confirm communication functionality prior to dispatch. Test records and inspection documentation are available upon request to support your incoming quality control process.

Q3: Is the 1336T-GTB-SP1B compatible with all 1336 PLUS drive variants and firmware revisions?
The 1336T-GTB-SP1B is designed for the Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS drive series. Compatibility with specific drive firmware revisions and hardware series letters should be confirmed against the Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS User Manual (publication 1336 PLUS-5.0) and the drive’s option board compatibility matrix. TOPNLMS technical staff can assist with compatibility verification based on your drive’s nameplate data and series letter. Cross-reference SKUs 1336T-LM1EN, 74103-015-51, and 74101-954-51D may apply depending on the specific drive configuration.

Q4: Can TOPNLMS support long-term supply and emergency replacement requirements?
Yes. TOPNLMS maintains standing inventory of the 1336T-GTB-SP1B and related Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS accessories to support both planned maintenance programs and emergency breakdown scenarios. For facilities managing large fleets of 1336 PLUS drives, TOPNLMS can discuss consignment stock arrangements, priority dispatch agreements, and multi-unit procurement pricing. Contact our technical sales team to discuss your specific supply continuity requirements.