Allen-Bradley 2711-K3A17L1 128×64 Monochrome Display Keypad HMI

Model Allen-Bradley 2711-K3A17L1 128×64

The 2711-K3A17L1 is a PanelView 300 Standard Operator Terminal manufactured by Allen-Bradley, designed for compact machine-level human-machine interface applications. As a keypad-based terminal with a 3-inch monochrome transflective LCD, the 2711-K3A17L1 provides operators with a reliable, glare-resistant interface for viewing machine status, entering setpoints, and triggering functions in space-constrained control cabinets. The transflective display technology is a defining characteristic of this model, allowing the screen to remain readable under bright ambient lighting conditions where conventional LCDs would wash out, making the 2711-K3A17L1 particularly suited to installations near windows or in well-lit production areas .

Within the Allen-Bradley PanelView Standard family, the 2711-K3A17L1 occupies the entry-level tier, offering essential HMI functionality without the overhead of color graphics or touch input. The terminal communicates via an embedded RS-232 port supporting the DF1 protocol, enabling direct point-to-point connection to SLC 5/03, SLC 5/04, or SLC 5/05 controllers, as well as MicroLogix and CompactLogix platforms through appropriate cabling . The 2711-K3A17L1 is configured using PanelBuilder32 software, a Windows-based development environment that allows reuse and conversion of existing PanelView applications. While the model has been discontinued by Rockwell Automation, the 2711-K3A17L1 remains widely supported through the surplus and remanufactured market, serving as a drop-in replacement for legacy installations that cannot justify a full migration to PanelView Plus platforms .

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Description

 

Technical Specifications

Parameter Name Parameter Value
Product Model 2711-K3A17L1
Manufacturer Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation)
Product Type PanelView 300 Standard Operator Terminal
Display Size 3 inches
Display Type Monochrome transflective LCD with LED backlight
Resolution 128 × 64 pixels
Display Area 73 mm × 42 mm (2.87 in × 1.67 in)
Backlight Life 100,000 hours
Operator Input Keypad: 8 function keys (F1–F8), cursor keys, numeric keypad
Communication Port RS-232 (DF1)
Input Voltage 18–32V DC (24V DC nominal)
Power Consumption 10 W max (0.42 A at 24V DC)
Application Memory 170 KB runtime; 240 KB non-volatile
Enclosure Rating NEMA Type 12/13, 4X (indoor use only), IP54, IP65
Dimensions (H×W×D) 197 mm × 140 mm × 82 mm
Weight 673 g (1.48 lb)
Programming Software PanelBuilder32

 

Main Features and Advantages

The 2711-K3A17L1 is engineered around the practical realities of legacy industrial control, where reliability and straightforward operation matter more than graphical sophistication. The monochrome transflective display is the terminal’s standout hardware feature: unlike backlit-only LCDs that become unreadable in direct light, the transflective layer reflects ambient illumination to maintain contrast, ensuring operators can read machine status and alarms even in brightly lit plant environments . Combined with the LED backlight rated at 100,000 hours, this display approach delivers long service life with minimal maintenance intervention.

The keypad interface of the 2711-K3A17L1 offers tactile feedback that touchscreens cannot replicate, a meaningful advantage in environments where operators wear gloves or where inadvertent screen contact could trigger unintended commands. Eight function keys (F1–F8) can be programmed for frequently used machine actions, while the dedicated numeric keypad and cursor keys streamline setpoint entry and menu navigation . The stainless steel domed membrane construction is rated for 2 million actuations, reflecting the durability required for continuous production environments .

For system integrators maintaining existing Allen-Bradley architectures, the 2711-K3A17L1 provides a cost-effective path to keep SLC 5/03 and SLC 5/04-based machines operational. The RS-232 DF1 port supports both controller communication and application transfer from a programming terminal, eliminating the need for specialized programming hardware . The terminal’s ATA memory card support enables application storage and transfer, simplifying replacement procedures when a unit fails . While the 2711-K3A17L1 lacks the Ethernet connectivity and color displays of modern PanelView Plus terminals, its focused feature set and broad installed base make it a pragmatic choice for maintaining legacy systems without undertaking a full controls upgrade.

 

Application Field

The 2711-K3A17L1 is most commonly found in small to medium-sized machine control applications where a single operator station manages a discrete process or piece of equipment. In packaging machinery, the terminal provides recipe selection, batch count entry, and fault reset functions, with the function keys mapped to start, stop, and jog commands. The monochrome transflective display of the 2711-K3A17L1 proves valuable in facilities with overhead skylights or unshaded windows, where color touchscreens often suffer from glare and readability issues .

Material handling and conveyor systems frequently deploy the 2711-K3A17L1 at operator loading stations, where workers need to input part counts, select routing destinations, and acknowledge jam alarms. The keypad-only interface reduces the risk of accidental commands from loose clothing or passing equipment, a practical concern in busy warehouse environments. In water and wastewater treatment plants, the 2711-K3A17L1 serves as a local interface for pump stations and valve control panels, providing readouts of flow rates, tank levels, and equipment status while allowing operators to adjust setpoints without opening the main control panel door .

The food and beverage industry also represents a significant installed base for the 2711-K3A17L1, particularly in wash-down areas where the NEMA 4X and IP65 ratings allow the terminal to withstand routine cleaning without additional protective enclosures. For plants still running SLC 5/03 or MicroLogix controllers, the 2711-K3A17L1 remains one of the most direct and cost-effective HMI options available through the surplus market, preserving the investment in existing control hardware while extending the operational life of the machine .