CompactLogix 5380 (5069) vs 5370 (1769): Which Allen Bradley Mid-Range PLC?

By Abdullah Zahid
19 min read
Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5380 and 5370 controllers side by side showing 5069 and 1769 I/O backplanes for mid-range PLC comparison

CompactLogix 5380 vs 5370: Which Allen-Bradley Mid-Range PLC Is Right for Your Project?

Controls engineers specifying Allen-Bradley mid-range PLCs consistently face one decision: does this project call for a CompactLogix 5370 on the proven 1769 Compact I/O platform, or does it demand the higher-performance CompactLogix 5380 with its 5069 Compact 5000 I/O backplane? Both families support EtherNet/IP, integrated motion, and Compact GuardLogix safety variants — but they differ significantly in CPU architecture, Ethernet throughput, I/O ecosystem, and where they sit on the Rockwell modernization roadmap. The answer is scenario-specific, and this comparison gives you a framework to reach it without guesswork.

If you have already identified the catalog numbers you need, check current pricing and availability for CompactLogix 5370 and 5380 controllers at LeadTime.ca — we source and ship Allen-Bradley hardware worldwide.

CompactLogix 5380 or 5370: Which One Fits Your Project?

Neither family is universally superior. The right choice depends on performance requirements, your existing I/O ecosystem, and your long-term modernization strategy. Use the criteria below to qualify each platform against your project before committing.

Choose CompactLogix 5380 (5069) if your project meets these conditions:

  • You are designing a new machine or line and are free to standardize on 5069 Compact 5000 I/O from the ground up.
  • Tight task scan times, high-speed discrete control, or higher motion axis counts are competitive requirements.
  • Dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports, higher node counts, or advanced network topology features such as Device Level Ring are required.
  • Your engineering team is running Studio 5000 Logix Designer v28 or later and can support newer firmware revisions.
  • Your modernization roadmap favors the newer 5069 platform to reduce future platform changes.

Choose CompactLogix 5370 (1769) if your project meets these conditions:

  • Your plant or line is already standardized on 1769 Compact I/O panels, spares, and wiring layouts.
  • Application performance demands are moderate — standard mid-range scan times and a limited motion axis count of 2 to 16 axes are sufficient.
  • Minimizing hardware redesign, spare parts changes, and technician retraining is a priority.
  • Existing engineering tools and corporate IT policy restrict Logix Designer to versions around v20 and up, below the v28/v30 threshold that 5380 requires.
  • Hardware budget is tightly constrained and standard performance is adequate.

If your requirement falls between these two profiles — for example, a new machine with moderate performance but no existing 1769 investment — the section on decision scenarios below will help you resolve it. For integrated safety applications, Compact GuardLogix variants exist in both families; the I/O ecosystem question still applies.

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Platform Roles and Core Specifications: 5380 vs 5370 Side by Side

The CompactLogix 5370 Controllers are the mature, widely deployed tier of the mid-range Logix family. L1 controllers use 1734 POINT I/O with an embedded power supply. L2 and L3 controllers use 1769 Compact I/O; L1 and L2 include embedded power and local I/O, while L3 requires a separate power supply and expansion modules. User memory reaches approximately 1 MB on L1 controllers with around 96 I/O points, approximately 1 MB on L2 with around 160 I/O points, and up to approximately 3 MB on L3 controllers supporting up to around 960 I/O points, depending on the specific catalog number. Some Compact GuardLogix 5370 configurations support up to 30 expansion modules.

The CompactLogix 5380 Controllers represent the newer, higher-performance tier using the 5069 Compact 5000 I/O backplane. The 5380 family uses a multi-core CPU architecture, supports up to 31 local 5069 I/O modules per Rockwell technical specifications, integrates power supply for the controller and local I/O, and provides dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports as standard. Memory tiers reach higher than the 5370 range, though exact figures are model-dependent and must be verified against the specific catalog number.

Feature CompactLogix 5370 (1769) CompactLogix 5380 (5069)
CPU performance tier Standard-performance mid-range controller High-performance multi-core mid-range controller
User memory range Up to approx. 3 MB depending on L1/L2/L3 model Higher memory tiers, model-dependent; verify per catalog number
Local I/O family 1769 Compact I/O (L2/L3), 1734 POINT I/O (L1) 5069 Compact 5000 I/O local modules
Max local I/O modules Up to 30 expansion modules in some Compact GuardLogix 5370 configurations Up to 31 local 5069 modules per Rockwell 5380 specifications
Typical motion axis range 2–16 axes depending on controller (L1/L2/L3) Higher motion axis counts and faster update rates, catalog-dependent
Ethernet ports 10/100 Mbps, single or dual depending on model Dual 10/100/1000 Mbps with advanced topology and bandwidth features
Power supply L1/L2 embedded; L3 requires separate power supply Integrated power supply for controller and local 5069 I/O
Safety variants Compact GuardLogix 5370 using 1769 I/O ecosystem Compact GuardLogix 5380 using 5069 I/O ecosystem
Engineering tool Studio 5000 Logix Designer v20+ depending on firmware Studio 5000 Logix Designer v28/v30+ required
Lifecycle positioning Mature, widely installed mid-range family Newer, forward-looking mid-range family

Full technical specifications are available on the product page at LeadTime.ca.

CPU Performance, Scan Time, and Motion Capacity Compared

The CompactLogix 5370 uses a standard-performance CPU architecture that has proven adequate for a wide range of mid-range machines — general assembly, material handling, process skids, and smaller packaging lines. Motion axis support ranges from 2 axes on L1 controllers up to 16 axes on higher L2 and L3 models, making it a practical fit for applications where motion demands are bounded and predictable.

The CompactLogix 5380 uses a multi-core CPU designed for significantly shorter task scan times and faster I/O throughput compared to the 5370. This architecture supports higher motion axis counts and faster update rates, with exact figures varying by catalog number. For high-speed discrete control, tight cycle-time packaging machines, and applications where scan performance directly affects output quality or throughput, the 5380's CPU tier is a meaningful differentiator.

The practical test is straightforward: if scan time and motion performance are engineering constraints that appear in your specification document, model them against the specific 5380 catalog number you are considering. If neither appears as a constraint — meaning standard mid-range performance covers the application — the 5370's CPU tier remains cost-effective and well-proven in the field.

1769 Compact I/O vs 5069 Compact 5000 I/O: What the Backplane Choice Really Means

The I/O backplane decision is arguably the most consequential difference between these two families, because it determines cabinet layouts, spare parts inventories, wiring practices, and the scope of any future expansion or replacement project.

The 5370 family uses the 1769 Compact I/O ecosystem for L2 and L3 controllers, with L1 using 1734 POINT I/O. The 1769 platform has a large and mature installed base across discrete manufacturing, packaging, and food and beverage plants worldwide. If your facility has existing 1769 I/O panels, racks, and terminal configurations, a 5370 controller slots into that environment with minimal disruption.

The 5380 family uses 5069 Compact 5000 I/O modules attached directly to the controller on the right-hand side. The 5069 platform supports up to 31 local modules and is designed for higher throughput screw-to-screw response times and more advanced per-module diagnostics. The trade-off is that 5069 modules are not directly interchangeable with 1769 modules, and plants standardized on 1769 I/O will need to plan for new spares, revised panel drawings, and technician familiarization when adopting 5380.

Both families support EtherNet/IP remote I/O, so distributed I/O architectures using remote adapters and remote racks are available in either ecosystem. However, the local backplane choice still drives the majority of cabinet design and wiring decisions for the controller's local I/O capacity.

Ethernet Ports, Topologies, and Network Performance

The CompactLogix 5370 provides 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports, with single or dual ports depending on the specific controller model. These ports support EtherNet/IP and standard plant topologies sufficient for most mid-range machine and process skid applications.

The CompactLogix 5380 provides dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports as standard. The gigabit ports support Device Level Ring (DLR) topology, higher node counts, advanced security features, and the bandwidth headroom needed for data-intensive applications such as integrated vision systems, condition monitoring, or high-frequency data collection to supervisory systems. NAT capabilities and IP addressing options are also available on 5380 controllers, with feature availability depending on firmware version.

For plants with an existing Ethernet infrastructure built around 5370 port speeds and node counts, the 5370 remains fully capable. When network bandwidth, DLR topology, or a high number of connected nodes is a stated requirement in the system design, the 5380's dual gigabit ports eliminate a potential bottleneck before it becomes a commissioning problem.

Compact GuardLogix 5370 vs 5380: Integrated Safety Options

Both the 5370 and 5380 families have Compact GuardLogix variants that combine standard and safety controller functionality in a single unit. Safety tasks and diagnostics integrate with standard tasks in both families, and both support SIL and PL-rated safety architectures — though exact safety integrity levels depend on the specific GuardLogix catalog number, safety module selection, and the overall safety architecture as validated per the application.

Compact GuardLogix 5370 controllers share the 1769 Compact I/O ecosystem, which means existing 1769 safety I/O modules and familiar wiring practices can be retained in retrofit and expansion projects. This reduces hardware changes and simplifies spare parts management for plants already running 1769-based safety systems.

Compact GuardLogix 5380 controllers use the 5069 I/O ecosystem and are positioned for new high-performance machines where faster safety task execution, higher-density I/O, and advanced diagnostics align with the application's safety demands. For greenfield safety applications or modernization programs adopting 5069 I/O as the site standard, the 5380 safety variant integrates naturally with the chosen platform.

The deciding factor for safety is not performance alone — it is whether your facility is adding safety to an existing 1769 installation or building safety into a new 5069-based architecture. Confirm integrated safety requirements before selecting the controller family, not after.

Logix Designer Versions, Firmware, and Project Portability

The CompactLogix 5370 family supports Studio 5000 Logix Designer versions starting around v20 and up, depending on the specific catalog number and firmware installed. This compatibility range covers a wide span of engineering workstations and corporate software standards currently in use at industrial sites.

The CompactLogix 5380 requires newer Logix Designer versions — specifically v28 or v30 and above — to access the full feature set and firmware capabilities. Plants where engineering workstations or corporate IT policies currently restrict Logix Designer to older versions will need to plan and budget for software upgrades before commissioning a 5380-based system.

Key considerations for project portability between the two families include:

  • Tag-based programming, Add-On Instructions, and produced/consumed tags are consistent across both families, which eases logic migration at the program level.
  • I/O mapping must be reworked when moving from 1769 to 5069 modules, as catalog numbers and channel configurations differ.
  • Firmware alignment across controllers, HMIs, and Logix Designer versions must be verified before beginning any conversion project.
  • Full project conversion from a 5370 to a 5380 controller should follow Rockwell Automation documentation and migration guides for the specific firmware revisions involved.

Footprint, Power Supply, and Panel Layout Differences

Panel designers switching between these two families will encounter meaningful physical layout differences that affect enclosure sizing, wiring density, and terminal block planning.

The 5370 family spans three form factors: L1 and L2 with embedded power supplies and local I/O that provide a compact, all-in-one unit; and L3, which requires a separate 1769 power supply module and uses expansion modules to add I/O. Existing panels built around 1769 footprints have specific rail lengths, DIN rail mounting positions, and wiring trays sized for this format.

The 5380 integrates the power supply for both the controller and local 5069 I/O into a unified compact format, with 5069 modules added to the right of the controller on the same backplane. The 5069 module format is physically different from 1769, which means panel drawings, terminal block positions, and wiring routes must be revised when moving from a 5370 to a 5380 system. For new panels where high-density I/O and an integrated power supply reduce hardware count and simplify the assembly, the 5380 format is an advantage. For retrofit work in existing enclosures, the 5370 footprint avoids the cost and schedule impact of panel rework.

Lifecycle, Installed Base, and Long-Term Modernization Strategy

The CompactLogix 5370 is a mature family with a large installed base across discrete manufacturing, food and beverage, automotive, water and wastewater, and OEM machinery segments worldwide. The 1769 Compact I/O ecosystem is deeply embedded in plant infrastructure at many sites, with established spares inventories and trained maintenance staff. This installed base is a real asset when the priority is operational continuity rather than performance advancement.

The CompactLogix 5380 represents the newer forward-looking tier of the mid-range Logix family. Rockwell Automation's modernization guidance for new installations and platform upgrades increasingly references the 5069 platform as the direction for mid-range control. Plants planning multi-year modernization programs — whether migrating from SLC 500, legacy CompactLogix variants, or early 5370 installations — that are evaluating a long-term standard will find that 5380 and 5069 I/O reduce the number of future platform transitions required.

Plants with heavy investment in 1769 spares, panel designs, and technician training can reasonably maintain 5370 as a mainline platform without near-term risk. The choice is not binary on a site-wide basis: many facilities deliberately run both, standardizing 5370 on existing production lines while adopting 5380 for all new equipment builds.

Cost, Availability, and Sourcing Worldwide

Note: market-typical estimate — verify with distributor before quoting.

Aspect CompactLogix 5370 CompactLogix 5380
Relative hardware cost Typically lower for comparable mid-range applications Typically higher due to newer, higher-performance hardware
Spare parts ecosystem Large installed base of 1769 I/O and controllers widely available Growing installed base; 5069 I/O spares may be less common in older plants
Availability Widely stocked through Allen-Bradley distributors worldwide Available through Rockwell distributors; lead times vary by catalog number
Best cost-fit scenario Budget-conscious projects, standard performance, reuse of 1769 I/O Projects where performance and future-proofing justify higher hardware cost

Current pricing for both CompactLogix 5370 and 5380 controllers is available on the product page at LeadTime.ca. For volume orders or to confirm lead time on specific catalog numbers before locking in a project BOM, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we ship worldwide and can source across the full CompactLogix range.

Expert Verdict: Choosing Between CompactLogix 5380 and 5370

For the majority of mid-range Allen-Bradley applications, the right choice between these two families comes down to two questions asked in sequence: does your project require performance and Ethernet capabilities beyond what the 5370 delivers, and does your site have an existing 1769 I/O investment that justifies staying on that platform? If the answer to the first question is yes, the CompactLogix 5380 is the correct starting point. If the answer to the second question is yes and performance is not a constraint, the CompactLogix 5370 remains a fully capable and cost-effective platform. Controls engineers designing new high-speed packaging lines, multi-axis motion cells, or data-intensive manufacturing cells with gigabit network requirements will find that the 5380's multi-core CPU, dual 1000 Mbps ports, and 5069 I/O backplane address those demands directly. Systems integrators expanding existing installations built on 1769 Compact I/O will find that a 5370 — or Compact GuardLogix 5370 for safety applications — minimizes hardware disruption and preserves the investment already made in spares and training.

Where this comparison gets more nuanced is in the middle ground: new machines at sites with an established 1769 infrastructure, or modernization projects where some lines must stay on 5370 while others move to 5380. In those scenarios, the most common and practical approach observed among integrators is to run both platforms in parallel — 5370 where continuity with the 1769 ecosystem is the priority, 5380 for all new builds. The wrong approach in either direction is choosing 5380 purely because it is newer without a performance or lifecycle justification, or choosing 5370 solely to reduce initial hardware cost on a project where scan-time demands or long-term modernization needs genuinely favor the 5380 platform.

From a procurement standpoint, lead times and catalog-number availability differ between these two families and change with demand cycles. Locking in a controller family before confirming that the specific catalog numbers you need are available — particularly for 5380 models where newer demand patterns apply — is a project risk that a specialist distributor can eliminate early. Check current pricing and availability for CompactLogix 5370 and 5380 controllers at LeadTime.ca before finalizing your BOM.

For volume pricing, multi-line orders, or to confirm lead time on specific catalog numbers before committing to a build, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we ship worldwide and support procurement teams at every stage from specification through delivery.

How Engineers and Integrators Compare These Two Platforms

Forum discussions on r/PLC, r/automation, PLCTalk, and Rockwell Automation community threads reflect a consistent pattern: engineers who have worked with both platforms broadly agree on when each is the right tool, even when they disagree on the details. The 5370 consistently earns praise for reliability, a well-understood code base, and the ease of dropping into existing 1769-based panels. Integrators working on expansions to established lines frequently cite the 5370 as the obvious choice precisely because switching to 5069 I/O would require new panel drawings, new spare parts, and technician retraining that the project budget does not support. Complaints about the 5370 center on its performance ceiling: users running demanding motion profiles or high-speed discrete control have run into scan-time limitations that force a rework decision, and the 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port speed is increasingly cited as a constraint in plants adopting high-bandwidth device communications.

The 5380 receives consistent praise for noticeably faster scan times and task switching, the dual gigabit Ethernet ports, and the Compact 5000 / 5069 I/O platform's high-density and fast throughput characteristics. Integrators who have standardized on 5380 for new builds describe the performance headroom as a meaningful differentiator for high-speed machines. The recurring complaints are equally consistent: the 5380 is perceived as overkill for simpler applications, the cost premium over 5370 is real and sometimes hard to justify to budget-conscious OEM customers, and the requirement to adopt 5069 I/O and newer Logix Designer firmware adds upfront learning and configuration work for teams coming from a 1769-centric background.

A recurring question across all these communities is whether the performance jump from 5370 to 5380 is worth the cost for a given machine. The honest community answer is: it depends entirely on whether the application actually stresses the 5370's performance envelope. Engineers who have migrated from 5370 to 5380 report genuine performance gains but consistently note that the cabinet rework and I/O remapping represent a non-trivial engineering effort. The community consensus on new builds is shifting toward 5380 as the default starting point for anything performance-sensitive, while 5370 retains a strong following for expansions to existing 1769 installations and budget-sensitive OEM applications where standard-performance control is sufficient.

Migrating from CompactLogix 5370 to 5380: What to Plan For

Migration from a CompactLogix 5370 to a 5380 system is achievable but requires structured planning. Key considerations include:

  • Map all 1769 I/O modules to equivalent 5069 Compact 5000 modules and revise I/O trees in the Logix Designer project, as catalog numbers and channel configurations are not directly interchangeable between the two I/O families.
  • Revise panel drawings and wiring layouts to reflect the different physical format of 5069 modules versus 1769 modules, including DIN rail space, terminal block positions, and power supply wiring.
  • Align Logix Designer software versions to v28 or v30 and above as required by the 5380 firmware, including coordinating any corporate IT approvals and license updates before the migration project begins.
  • Audit HMI configurations, produced/consumed tag structures, and Add-On Instructions for compatibility with the converted project, since tag-based logic is consistent across families but I/O-referenced tags will require updates.
  • Consider a coexistence strategy for multi-line facilities: run 5380 on new equipment while maintaining 5370 on existing lines, rather than attempting a simultaneous site-wide migration that introduces unnecessary risk to production continuity.

Any migration should follow current Rockwell Automation documentation and your plant's change management and validation procedures. LeadTime.ca can assist with sourcing both 5370 and 5380 hardware to support phased migration programs.

Decision Scenarios: Six Real-World Application Profiles

Application Profile Recommended Platform Key Reason
New high-speed packaging machine with tight cycle times and gigabit Ethernet for vision systems CompactLogix 5380 Multi-core CPU and dual 1000 Mbps ports address cycle-time and network load requirements
Expansion of existing line standardized on 1769 Compact I/O and 5370 controllers CompactLogix 5370 Maintains 1769 I/O compatibility, minimizes spares changes and technician retraining
New machine requiring integrated safety (SIL/PL) at moderate performance levels Compact GuardLogix 5370 or 5380 — ecosystem-dependent Use 5370 if plant is on 1769; use 5380 if adopting 5069 I/O for future builds
Modernization from legacy SLC or early CompactLogix, aligned with corporate roadmap CompactLogix 5380 for new installs; 5370 for drop-in replacements preserving 1769 I/O 5380 aligns with long-term platform direction; 5370 avoids forced hardware changes mid-migration
Budget-sensitive OEM machine with standard performance needs and no future-proofing requirement CompactLogix 5370 Mature ecosystem meets requirements at lower hardware cost
Plant-wide standardization on newer Logix Designer versions and modern Ethernet architecture CompactLogix 5380 as main mid-range standard, with planned migration from 5370 over time 5380 leverages newer firmware features and provides a clearer long-term modernization path

Common Selection Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The following checklist captures the highest-frequency specification errors when choosing between CompactLogix 5370 and 5380. Review each item before finalizing your controller selection.

  1. Confirm whether your installed base uses 1769 I/O or 5069 I/O before picking the platform.
  2. Verify required Logix Designer firmware version across existing controllers and HMIs before standardizing.
  3. Check motion axis counts and update rates for the exact catalog number, not just the family.
  4. Confirm that local I/O module counts and wiring layouts match cabinet space and future expansion needs.
  5. Evaluate safety requirements first; if you need integrated safety, compare the Compact GuardLogix variants in each family.
  6. Ensure network architecture (DLR, NAT, VLANs, bandwidth) aligns with the chosen controller's Ethernet capabilities.
  7. Validate availability for required catalog numbers before committing to a multi-site standard.

If you are working through this checklist and have questions about specific catalog numbers, I/O compatibility, or lead times, contact the LeadTime.ca team — we work with controls engineers and procurement teams worldwide to verify specifications and confirm availability before purchase commitments are made.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reuse my existing 1769 Compact I/O modules with a CompactLogix 5380 controller?

No. The CompactLogix 5380 uses the 5069 Compact 5000 I/O backplane, which is not physically or electrically compatible with 1769 Compact I/O modules. If your project must reuse 1769 I/O hardware, the CompactLogix 5370 is the correct controller family. For remote I/O, both families support EtherNet/IP remote adapters, which can connect to a broader range of I/O types on the network — but local backplane I/O requires matching the controller family.

Is the performance jump from CompactLogix 5370 to 5380 worth the cost difference for a mid-range machine?

It depends entirely on whether your application stresses the 5370's performance envelope. For standard mid-range machines — general assembly, process skids, material handling — the 5370's CPU tier is proven and cost-effective. For high-speed packaging, tight cycle-time discrete control, demanding motion profiles, or applications requiring gigabit Ethernet for vision or data systems, the 5380's multi-core CPU and dual 1000 Mbps ports provide headroom that pays back in avoided rework. If scan time and motion performance do not appear as constraints in your specification, the cost premium for 5380 is harder to justify.

Do I need to upgrade Studio 5000 Logix Designer to use a CompactLogix 5380?

Yes. CompactLogix 5380 controllers require Studio 5000 Logix Designer v28 or later, with v30 and above needed for some features. If your engineering workstations or corporate IT policy currently restrict Logix Designer to versions below this threshold, plan and budget for the software upgrade before commissioning a 5380 system. CompactLogix 5370 controllers support Logix Designer starting around v20 and up, depending on the specific firmware revision and catalog number.

How many local I/O modules can a CompactLogix 5380 controller support on the backplane?

Per Rockwell Automation technical specifications, CompactLogix 5380 controllers support up to 31 local 5069 I/O modules on the backplane. This is a higher local I/O density than many 5370 configurations, making the 5380 platform well-suited for high-density local I/O applications without requiring remote I/O adapters for additional modules.

Are the programming workflows similar between Compact GuardLogix 5370 and 5380?

The core programming model — tag-based programming in Studio 5000 Logix Designer, Add-On Instructions, and safety task configuration — is consistent across both GuardLogix families. The principal differences are the I/O ecosystem (1769 vs 5069 safety modules), the required Logix Designer version, and the specific safety module catalog numbers and configuration parameters. Engineers familiar with Compact GuardLogix 5370 will recognize the programming environment in 5380, but I/O mapping, firmware updates, and safety module selection require specific attention during any conversion project.

When should a new project standardize on 5069 I/O instead of 1769 Compact I/O?

The clearest signals to standardize on 5069 are: the project has no existing 1769 I/O investment to protect; performance, scan time, or Ethernet bandwidth are active design constraints; or a corporate modernization roadmap explicitly favors the 5380 platform for new builds. If any of those conditions apply, adopting 5069 I/O from the outset avoids a future I/O migration. If none apply and the site already runs 1769 extensively, 1769 remains a fully supported and practical choice.

Why Source CompactLogix Hardware Through LeadTime.ca

  • LeadTime.ca sources and ships Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 5370 and 5380 controllers and 5069 and 1769 I/O modules to buyers worldwide — no geographic restriction on order placement or delivery.
  • Our team works directly with controls engineers and procurement specialists to verify catalog numbers, confirm I/O compatibility, and check current lead times before purchase commitments are made.
  • Volume pricing and multi-line BOM support are available — contact us before finalizing a project requisition.
  • Hard-to-find catalog numbers and specific firmware-revision hardware can often be sourced where standard distribution channels show extended lead times.

At-a-Glance Summary

  • CompactLogix 5380 uses a multi-core CPU, dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet ports, and supports up to 31 local 5069 I/O modules — suited for high-speed and performance-sensitive applications.
  • CompactLogix 5370 L3 supports up to approximately 3 MB user memory and up to approximately 960 I/O points; L2 offers up to approximately 1 MB and 160 I/O points; L1 offers approximately 1 MB and 96 I/O points with embedded POINT I/O and power.
  • 5370 supports motion from 2 to 16 axes depending on L1/L2/L3 model; 5380 supports higher motion axis counts and faster update rates, catalog-dependent.
  • 5370 requires Logix Designer v20+ (firmware-dependent); 5380 requires v28/v30+.
  • Compact GuardLogix safety variants exist in both families — 5370 on the 1769 I/O ecosystem, 5380 on the 5069 ecosystem.
  • 5370 is typically lower cost with a larger installed base of 1769 spares; 5380 carries a higher hardware cost reflecting newer, higher-performance architecture.
  • For new high-performance or future-proofing builds, choose 5380; for expansions to existing 1769 installations or budget-sensitive standard-performance projects, choose 5370.
  • Current pricing and availability for both families are on the product page at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

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