Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1B Industrial Network Interface for 1336 PLUS Systems

Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1B Industrial Network Interface: Bridging the Smart Factory Data Link

The Allen-Bradley 1336T-GTB-SP1B is a high-performance industrial communication board engineered for the 1336 PLUS series of AC drives. Designed to serve as the critical network interface between field-level drive systems and upper-level control architectures, this module enables seamless protocol conversion, real-time data exchange, and remote diagnostics across complex industrial automation environments. Whether deployed in discrete manufacturing, process control, or hybrid smart factory applications, the 1336T-GTB-SP1B delivers the connectivity backbone that modern industrial networks demand.

In today’s intelligent manufacturing landscape, data isolation between field devices and supervisory systems remains one of the most persistent challenges. The 1336T-GTB-SP1B directly addresses this by acting as a transparent communication bridge — translating drive-level signals into structured network data that can be consumed by PLCs, SCADA platforms, HMI terminals, and edge computing gateways without latency or data loss.

Compatibility & Integration Notes

Connected Automation Data Flow

The 1336T-GTB-SP1B sits at the heart of a layered industrial data architecture. At the field level, sensors and encoders feed real-time process variables — speed, torque, current, and fault status — directly into the 1336 PLUS drive. The 1336T-GTB-SP1B then encapsulates this data into structured network packets and transmits it upstream via DeviceNet or Remote I/O to the plant’s control backbone.

In a typical deployment, a Rockwell Automation ControlLogix L7x controller acts as the network master, polling the 1336T-GTB-SP1B for drive status at scan rates as low as 5ms. The controller’s 1756-DNB DeviceNet Bridge module manages the network segment, while a 1756-ENBT EtherNet/IP bridge module connects the ControlLogix backplane to the plant’s Ethernet infrastructure. This allows FactoryTalk View SE running on the SCADA server to display live drive parameters — output frequency, DC bus voltage, motor current — on operator HMI panels such as the PanelView Plus 7.

For remote I/O architectures, the 1336T-GTB-SP1B interfaces with 1771 I/O chassis via the 1336 PLUS drive’s communication port, enabling the PLC-5 or SLC 500 controller to issue speed commands and read drive diagnostics without additional wiring. In distributed control topologies, the module works alongside 1734 POINT I/O remote I/O adapters and 1783 Stratix managed Ethernet switches to maintain deterministic communication across the production floor.

At the edge, data aggregated from multiple 1336 PLUS drives through their respective 1336T-GTB-SP1B boards can be collected by an industrial edge gateway — such as a Moxa UC-8100 or Advantech WISE-5000 — for local analytics, alarm pre-processing, and OPC-UA forwarding to MES or cloud-based SCADA systems. Variable frequency drives in adjacent production cells, including the PowerFlex 40 and PowerFlex 700 series, can share the same DeviceNet segment, enabling unified drive management from a single FactoryTalk Asset Centre instance.

This end-to-end data chain — from sensor signal acquisition through protocol conversion, network transmission, real-time monitoring, alarm feedback, and remote diagnostics — is precisely what the 1336T-GTB-SP1B is engineered to support. Its role is not merely as a communication board, but as the connective tissue of a fully integrated smart factory data link.

Solving Data Isolation in Industrial Sites

Many industrial facilities operating legacy 1336 PLUS drive installations face a common set of connectivity challenges: proprietary protocols that cannot communicate natively with modern Ethernet-based SCADA systems, drive data trapped in isolated network segments, and no viable path for remote monitoring without costly infrastructure overhauls.

The 1336T-GTB-SP1B resolves these issues at the hardware level. By providing a standardized communication interface directly on the drive, it eliminates the need for external protocol converters or third-party gateways in most Rockwell Automation network architectures. Drive parameters that were previously accessible only through local HMI keypads or handheld programming terminals can now be read and written remotely by any authorized SCADA client on the plant network.

For production line transparency, the module enables continuous streaming of drive KPIs — energy consumption, run hours, fault history, and output performance — to FactoryTalk Historian or equivalent data historians, supporting OEE analysis and predictive maintenance programs. When a drive fault occurs, the 1336T-GTB-SP1B immediately propagates the fault code upstream to the PLC, which triggers alarm notifications in the SCADA system and, if configured, sends SMS or email alerts to maintenance personnel via the plant’s alarm management platform.

System expansion is equally straightforward. Additional 1336 PLUS drives can be added to an existing DeviceNet or Remote I/O segment without reconfiguring the network master, provided the segment’s node count and cable length remain within specification. This scalability makes the 1336T-GTB-SP1B a long-term investment for facilities planning phased automation upgrades.

All units supplied by ZYPLC undergo pre-shipment functional testing to verify communication integrity, parameter read/write capability, and fault reporting accuracy. Each module is backed by a warranty terms confirmed during quotation and supported by RFQ-confirmed sourcing for rapid global deployment via DHL or FedEx express freight.

Industrial Connectivity FAQ

Q1: What communication protocols does the 1336T-GTB-SP1B support, and is it compatible with modern EtherNet/IP networks?
The 1336T-GTB-SP1B is a DeviceNet and Remote I/O communication option board designed for the Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS drive series. It does not natively support EtherNet/IP; however, it integrates seamlessly with ControlLogix and CompactLogix systems via 1756-DNB or 1756-RIO bridge modules, which then connect to EtherNet/IP backbones. For direct EtherNet/IP drive connectivity, the PowerFlex 700 with a 20-COMM-E adapter is the recommended upgrade path.

Q2: How does the 1336T-GTB-SP1B ensure network stability in high-noise industrial environments?
The module is designed to Rockwell Automation’s industrial EMC standards for the 1336 PLUS platform. DeviceNet implementations should follow ODVA cabling guidelines, including proper trunk and drop cable lengths, termination resistors at both ends of the trunk, and physical separation from high-voltage power cables. In environments with severe electrical noise, shielded DeviceNet cables and ferrite cores on signal lines are recommended to maintain deterministic communication.

Q3: Can the 1336T-GTB-SP1B be used for remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance?
Yes. When integrated with FactoryTalk Diagnostics or a third-party SCADA platform such as Ignition by Inductive Automation, the 1336T-GTB-SP1B enables continuous remote monitoring of drive fault codes, output parameters, and operational history. Fault data can be logged to a historian for trend analysis, supporting condition-based maintenance strategies and reducing unplanned downtime.

Q4: What warranty and testing does ZYPLC provide for the 1336T-GTB-SP1B?
Every 1336T-GTB-SP1B unit supplied by ZYPLC is covered by a warranty terms confirmed during quotation from the date of shipment. Prior to dispatch, each unit undergoes functional communication testing to verify protocol operation, parameter exchange, and fault reporting. Units are shipped via DHL or FedEx with full tracking, and our technical team is available to support installation and commissioning queries.