Finding obsolete industrial automation parts is one of the biggest challenges facing maintenance professionals today. As manufacturers discontinue product lines, facilities operating legacy PLC systems and DCS equipment must develop strategies for sourcing hard-to-find spare parts.
The Obsolescence Challenge
Industrial automation equipment typically has a service life of 15-30 years, far exceeding the manufacturer’s production cycle.
Why Parts Become Obsolete
- Technology advancement and new product introductions
- Component supplier discontinuations
- Market consolidation and brand acquisitions
- Declining demand making production uneconomical
Strategies for Sourcing Obsolete Parts
1. Specialized Industrial Suppliers
Partner with suppliers who specialize in obsolete automation parts. These companies maintain extensive inventories from:
- ABB – Bailey, Advant, S800 series
- Allen-Bradley – PLC-5, SLC 500, legacy ControlLogix
- Honeywell – TDC 2000, TDC 3000, Experion
- GE Fanuc – Series 90, VersaMax
- Emerson – DeltaV, Ovation legacy systems
- Triconex – Safety system components
- Yokogawa – CENTUM series
- Bently Nevada – Vibration monitoring systems
2. Global Sourcing Networks
Experienced suppliers maintain worldwide networks to locate hard-to-find industrial parts.
3. Proactive Inventory Management
Build strategic spare parts inventory before components become unavailable.
Common Obsolete Parts Categories
Processor Modules
- ABB DSPC172H – Advant controller
- Allen-Bradley 1785-L40B – PLC-5/40
- GE IC697CPX935 – Series 90-70 CPU
I/O Modules
- ABB IMASI03 – Bailey analog input
- Allen-Bradley 1746-IB16 – SLC 500 digital input
Communication Modules
- Allen-Bradley 1785-ENET – PLC-5 Ethernet
- ABB DSCS140 – S100 communication
Evaluating Obsolete Parts Suppliers
Quality Assurance
- Testing procedures for incoming inventory
- Warranty coverage and return policies
- Counterfeit detection capabilities
Logistics Capabilities
- Global shipping options
- Emergency delivery services
- Proper packaging for sensitive electronics
Contact our team today to discuss your obsolete parts requirements. With global sourcing capabilities, we specialize in keeping legacy systems operational.