Allen-Bradley 20D-DL2-CKE1 DriveLogix Controller Kit | PowerFlex 700S

Allen-Bradley 20D-DL2-CKE1 DriveLogix Controller Kit: Industrial Data Link for PowerFlex 700S Smart Factory Networks

The Allen-Bradley 20D-DL2-CKE1 DriveLogix Controller Kit is a high-performance embedded drive controller module engineered for the PowerFlex 700S AC drive platform. Designed to bridge the gap between field-level devices and upper-layer control systems, the 20D-DL2-CKE1 delivers deterministic, real-time data exchange across EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and ControlNet networks — making it a cornerstone component in modern smart factory architectures. Whether you are integrating variable frequency drives into a Logix-based control platform or extending your SCADA visibility down to the drive level, this controller kit provides the communication backbone your industrial network demands.

At its core, the 20D-DL2-CKE1 embeds a DriveLogix processor directly into the PowerFlex 700S drive chassis, eliminating the need for a separate PLC enclosure for drive-level logic. This tight integration reduces panel footprint, simplifies wiring, and accelerates scan-cycle performance for motion-critical applications. The module supports Logix-native programming via Studio 5000 Logix Designer, enabling seamless tag-based data sharing with ControlLogix and CompactLogix controllers across the same EtherNet/IP backplane or network segment.

Network Communication Table

Connected Automation Data Flow

In a fully connected PowerFlex 700S drive system, the 20D-DL2-CKE1 sits at the intersection of field-level signal acquisition and upper-layer control logic. Consider a typical smart factory conveyor or pump station scenario: field sensors — including Allen-Bradley 871TM inductive proximity sensors and 1734-IB8 POINT I/O digital input modules — feed real-time process signals into the drive’s onboard DriveLogix processor. The 20D-DL2-CKE1 processes these inputs locally, executes embedded ladder or function block logic, and simultaneously transmits drive status, speed reference, and fault data upstream via EtherNet/IP to a ControlLogix L7x controller.

The ControlLogix controller, connected via a 1756-EN2TR EtherNet/IP communication module, aggregates drive data from multiple PowerFlex 700S nodes across a Device Level Ring topology. This DLR architecture — supported natively by the 20D-DL2-CKE1 — provides automatic network fault recovery in under 3 milliseconds, ensuring uninterrupted data flow even when a cable segment fails. Alongside the drive network, a 1783-BMS10CGN Stratix managed industrial Ethernet switch maintains network segmentation and QoS prioritization, keeping drive I/O traffic isolated from HMI and SCADA polling traffic.

At the visualization layer, a PanelView Plus 7 HMI terminal running FactoryTalk View ME communicates directly with the 20D-DL2-CKE1 over EtherNet/IP, displaying real-time drive speed, output current, DC bus voltage, and active fault codes. Simultaneously, FactoryTalk View SE SCADA software aggregates data from all drive nodes, enabling plant-wide energy monitoring, trend logging, and alarm management. For legacy DeviceNet field devices — such as older Allen-Bradley 1769-SDN DeviceNet scanner modules or third-party DeviceNet sensors — the 20D-DL2-CKE1’s onboard DeviceNet port bridges these devices into the Logix tag database without requiring additional gateway hardware.

Where ControlNet is deployed for high-speed, deterministic I/O — particularly in coordinated motion or press control applications — the 20D-DL2-CKE1’s ControlNet interface connects to a 1756-CNB ControlNet bridge module, enabling scheduled, time-critical data exchange between the drive and the motion controller. This multi-protocol capability makes the 20D-DL2-CKE1 uniquely suited for brownfield integration projects where EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and ControlNet coexist within the same plant network.

For remote diagnostics and edge data collection, a Cisco IE-4000 or Allen-Bradley Stratix 5700 industrial router can be deployed at the network edge, forwarding drive telemetry to cloud-based MES or ERP platforms. The 20D-DL2-CKE1’s CIP-native data model ensures that all drive parameters — including energy consumption, thermal load, and predictive maintenance indicators — are accessible as standard Logix tags, ready for integration with FactoryTalk Analytics or third-party IIoT platforms.

Solving Data Isolation in Industrial Sites

One of the most persistent challenges in industrial automation is data isolation — the condition where field devices, drives, and controllers operate on incompatible protocols, preventing unified visibility and control. The Allen-Bradley 20D-DL2-CKE1 directly addresses this challenge by embedding multi-protocol communication — EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and ControlNet — within a single drive controller module, eliminating the need for external protocol gateways or media converters between the drive and the control network.

In facilities where legacy DeviceNet infrastructure coexists with modern EtherNet/IP backbones, the 20D-DL2-CKE1 acts as a native bridge, translating DeviceNet I/O data into EtherNet/IP CIP tags that are immediately consumable by ControlLogix or CompactLogix controllers. This removes the data silos that typically arise when drives and PLCs speak different protocols, and it enables plant engineers to implement unified alarm management, energy monitoring, and predictive maintenance strategies across the entire drive fleet.

For remote monitoring and diagnostics, the 20D-DL2-CKE1 exposes a comprehensive set of drive parameters — including output frequency, motor current, fault history, and thermal status — as EtherNet/IP explicit message objects. SCADA systems such as FactoryTalk View SE or Ignition can poll these parameters at configurable intervals, enabling remote fault diagnosis without requiring a technician to physically access the drive panel. This capability is particularly valuable in hazardous or hard-to-reach installations such as offshore platforms, mining conveyors, or high-bay warehouse systems.

Production line transparency is further enhanced by the 20D-DL2-CKE1’s ability to execute local logic — speed ramping, PID control, interlock sequencing — independently of the host PLC. This distributed intelligence model reduces PLC scan-cycle load, improves response time for drive-level events, and ensures that the drive continues to operate safely even during temporary network interruptions. System expansion is equally straightforward: additional PowerFlex 700S drives with 20D-DL2-CKE1 modules can be added to the EtherNet/IP ring without reconfiguring the existing network topology, supporting scalable growth from single-drive pilot installations to plant-wide drive networks with dozens of nodes.

Industrial Connectivity FAQ

Q1: What communication protocols does the Allen-Bradley 20D-DL2-CKE1 support, and are they simultaneously active?
The 20D-DL2-CKE1 supports EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and ControlNet. EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet can operate simultaneously, allowing the module to bridge legacy DeviceNet field devices into an EtherNet/IP control network without additional gateway hardware. ControlNet connectivity is available for applications requiring deterministic, scheduled I/O communication.

Q2: How does the 20D-DL2-CKE1 ensure network stability and minimize communication latency in high-speed drive applications?
The module supports Device Level Ring (DLR) topology on EtherNet/IP, providing automatic fault recovery in under 3 milliseconds. The embedded DriveLogix processor executes local control logic independently of the host PLC, ensuring that drive-level responses — such as speed regulation and fault protection — are not delayed by network latency or PLC scan-cycle variations.

Q3: Is the 20D-DL2-CKE1 compatible with FactoryTalk View SE SCADA and third-party HMI systems?
Yes. The 20D-DL2-CKE1 exposes all drive parameters as standard CIP/EtherNet/IP tags, making them natively accessible to FactoryTalk View SE, FactoryTalk View ME (PanelView Plus 7), and any SCADA or HMI platform that supports EtherNet/IP explicit messaging — including Ignition by Inductive Automation and Wonderware System Platform.

Q4: What does the 12-month warranty cover, and has the unit been tested before shipment?
Every 20D-DL2-CKE1 unit supplied by ZYPLC carries a 12-month warranty covering manufacturing defects and functional failures under normal operating conditions. All units undergo pre-shipment functional testing to verify communication port integrity, firmware version, and module identification. In-stock units are available for same-week dispatch, and our technical team provides post-sale support for integration and commissioning queries.

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