RTConnect Allen-Bradley PLC Historian
The easiest way to log data from an Allen-Bradley PLC. Purpose-built for industrial environments, the RTConnect Allen-Bradley Historian logs and structures time-series records locally while giving you the flexibility to forward or publish those records to the wider enterprise. Visualize, analyze and distribute A-B PLC data without relying on complex middleware or cloud subscriptions.
Allen-Bradley PLC Historian
$1,495.00 – $3,640.00
Allen-Bradley Historian Specs At-A-Glance
| Product specifications | |
|---|---|
| PLC Support | CompactLogix, ControlLogix, FlexLogix, MicroLogix, SLC, PLC-5E, Micro820, Micro850, Micro870 |
| Connection and Data Limits | Reliable performance at up to 10 PLCs and up to 10000 data points |
| Supported Data Types | Bool, Bit Array 16, Bit Array 32, 8-Bit Unsigned/Signed Int, 16-Bit Unsigned/Signed Int, 32-Bit Unsigned/Signed Int, 64-Bit Unsigned/Signed Int, 32-Bit Float, 64-Bit Double, String |
| Storage Options | 128 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB |
| DC Input Voltage | 12-24 VDC (22W Max) |
| Temp Range | -20°C to 60°C (Humidity: 10-95% non-condensing) |
| Certifications | RoHS, UL, CE approvals |
| Size | 4.04 x 5.08 x 1.50 in |
| Mounting | DIN rail |
Securely Log Allen-Bradley Data in Closed OT or Hybrid IT Environments
The RTConnect Allen-Bradley PLC Historian empowers you to unlock valuable process data from your control systems regardless of whether you are operating in a strictly air-gapped environment or bridging the gap between OT and IT networks.
In closed OT environments, the historian functions as a standalone appliance with up to 1 TB of local storage, ensuring absolute data ownership without the need for cloud access or third-party middleware.
For hybrid IT/OT architectures, the historian runs on your local network and securely delivers data via a separate dedicated network interface or over Wi-Fi. This physical and logical isolation adds a layer of secure connectivity for pushing contextualized data to enterprise analytics or cloud systems.
How to Log and Analyze Time-Series Data with the RTConnect Allen-Bradley Historian
- Enter the Allen-Bradley historian IP address into a web browser to access the user-friendly interface.
- Configure your closed OT or OT-to-IT network settings.
- Automatically discover and add your Allen-Bradley PLCs and tags to create a data model.
- Define the schedule-, cyclic-, and event-based triggers that will create your time-series data records.
- Configure data storage events based on your A-B PLC and trigger settings.
- Analyze your time-series data locally on a graphical interface or publish it to cloud or enterprise systems.
Scalable Storage for Your Unique Application
The RTConnect Allen-Bradley Historian is built to handle high volumes of time-series data. There are three storage options available: 128 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB. Choose the best storage capacity based on your expected total usage. Consider how different industrial applications impact your data footprint:
- Scenario 1: High-Speed Diagnostics
A single PLCs on a high-speed packaging line provides 100 data points every 25 ms, producing 85.96 MB/hr (2.06 GB/day). The maintenance manager requires at least 30-days of high-resolution data to perform root cause analysis to catch intermittent mechanical glitches that cause unplanned downtime. In this scenario, the 128 GB version is the best fit. - Scenario 2: Regulatory Compliance
Two PLCs managing a tank farm provide 10,000 process variables every 5,000 ms, producing 76.14 MB/hr (1.83 GB/day). The quality manager requires at least 1 year of history to meet strict audit requirements and ensure product traceability. In this scenario, the 1 TB version is the best fit. - Scenario 3: Performance Monitoring
Four PLCs across a synchronized production cell provide 2,000 data points every 1,000 ms, producing 42.5 MB/hr (1.02 GB/day). Data needs to be retained for one full year to track year-over-year OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and justify capital expenditure for new equipment. In this scenario, the 512 GB version is the best fit.
| Hourly Data Rate | Daily Data Rate | 128 GB Storage | 512 GB Storage | 1 TB Storage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario 1 | 85.96 MB/hr | ~2.06 GB/day | ~62 Days | ~248 Days | ~484 Days |
| Scenario 2 | 76.14 MB/hr | ~1.83 GB/day | ~70 Days | ~280 Days | ~547 Days |
| Scenario 3 | 42.5 MB/hr | ~1.02 GB/day | ~125 Days | ~500 Days | ~980 Days |
Calculate Your RTConnect Allen-Bradley Historian Storage Requirement
Use the equation below to calculate your data storage usage:
| Bytes per Second = |
(Total Payload + 132)
Log Interval (seconds) |
Total Payload = Number of 8-Bit Tags + Number of 16-Bit Tags * 2 + Number of 32-Bit Tags * 4 + Number of 64-Bit Tags *8 + Number of Strings * 82
RTConnect Allen-Bradley PLC Historian FAQs
The RTConnect A-B PLC Historian is a din-rail mounted, on-premise hardware historian that collects time-series tag data from Allen-Bradley PLCs and stores that data locally in a database. It operates without cloud dependencies, licensing requirements, subscriptions or external gateway middleware.
The RTConnect A-B PLC Historian collects tag and file data from Allen-Bradley PLCs. It can collect any controller-scoped or program-scoped tags for Logix based PLCs or B, N, F or ST files for PCCC based PLCs.
Typical use cases include maintenance troubleshooting, downtime analysis, quality tracking and long-term production history collection from one or more Allen-Bradley PLCs. The stored time-series data is commonly consumed by upstream MES, BI, analytics platforms or cloud applications for reporting and optimization.
Yes, the RTConnect A-B PLC Historian includes a simple, browser-based real-time trending graph intended for configuration verification and diagnostic troubleshooting.
Allen-Bradley CompactLogix, ControlLogix, FlexLogix, Micro820, Micro850, Micro870, MicroLogix, SLC5/05 and PLC5E.
View all the Historian frequently asked questions
What our Customers are Saying
"Thanks to RTA for providing a product that helped us resolve a critical issue. Your support and innovation are greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work."
Jeff B. / Engine Test and Evaluation – Technical Specialist Staff