Selection Guide · Publication 1734-SG0011 · Rockwell Automation

Allen-Bradley POINT I/O Modules — Selection Guide (Bulletin 1734)

Complete selection guide for the Allen-Bradley POINT I/O modular I/O family (Bulletin 1734). Covers digital and analog I/O modules, POINT Guard safety I/O, specialty modules, terminal bases, communication adapters, and power components. Modules support RIUP, channel-level diagnostics, and 1-8 points per module for just-what-you-need granularity.

Download PDF
1734-SG0011 Publication
1734 Bulletin
1 Points per module
13 Max modules / node

Document Preview

Open the full PDF in a new tab  · Publication 1734-SG0011

Specifications

System Capacity

Module density 1 – 8 points per module (just-what-you-need granularity)
Modules per communication adapter 13 – 17 modules (network-dependent)
Modules per node (with external power) Up to 63 I/O modules (504 channels)
Backplane power 24V DC input, converted to 5V DC by the communication adapter
Field power capacity 10 A max per power rail

Module Features

Removal and Insertion Under Power (RIUP) Supported on every module
Channel-level diagnostics Status indicator + electronic feedback on each channel
Channel-level alarms Annunciation via add-on profile (AOP) in Studio 5000 Logix Designer
Open-wire detection Yes, with electronic feedback (analog and select digital)
Short-circuit detection Yes, with electronic feedback (output modules)
Parameter-level explicit messaging Supported
Automatic Device Replacement (ADR) Supported — configuration auto-downloaded on module swap
Mounting Horizontal or vertical without derating; 35 mm DIN rail
Safety + non-safety on same bus Yes (POINT Guard modules coexist with standard I/O)
DeviceLogix Supported on DeviceNet adapters — local control for fast response

System Architecture

Terminal base Mounts on DIN rail, provides backplane
I/O module Snaps into terminal base (tool-less assembly)
Removable Terminal Block (RTB) Snaps into base, provides field wiring + backplane power — screw-clamp or spring-clamp
Design approach No Tools assembly (base + RTB + module snap together)
Communication model Producer/Consumer with multicast — multiple nodes can consume the same data from one device

Catalog Number Format

How to read an Allen-Bradley 1734 catalog number. Each position encodes a specific configuration attribute.

Position
Meaning
Example
1734
Bulletin prefix for POINT I/O family
1734-IB8 → Bulletin 1734
-I / -O / -IE / -OE / -OW / -IR / -IT / -IJ / -IK
Module type code (I=Input, O=Output, IE=Input Analog, OE=Output Analog, OW=Output Relay, IR=RTD, IT=Thermocouple, IJ/IK=Specialty)
-I = digital sinking input; -OE = analog current/voltage output
B / V / A / M / W
Signal type (B=24V DC sinking, V=24V DC sourcing, A=120V AC, M=contact, W=relay)
IB = 24V DC sinking input; OV = 24V DC sourcing output
2 / 4 / 8
Channel count per module
IB8 = 8 channels; OW4 = 4 relay outputs
E / S / K / C
Suffix variant: E=Electronically protected, S=Safety (POINT Guard), K=Conformal coated, C=Current (analog)
OB8E = electronically-protected output; IB8S = Safety input; IE4C = 4-channel current-analog

Communication Protocols

Supported industrial networks and field buses for the products covered by this publication.

EtherNet/IP Via 1734-AENT, AENTR, or AENTR2 adapter (Logix controllers only) ControlNet Via 1734-ACNR adapter (Logix controllers only) DeviceNet Via 1734-ADN or ADNX adapter (includes subnet connectivity + DeviceLogix) PROFIBUS DP Via 1734-APB adapter OPC / DDE Data monitoring via standard OPC DA servers NetLinx Open Network Architecture Native — transparent cross-network communication via Logix gateway

Certifications & Compliance

Class I Division 2 / Zone 2 (hazardous locations) Marine certification European ATEX Zone 2 (II 3 G) c-UL-us Listed (module-specific; see individual module documentation) CE marked (EMC + LVD compliance per EN 61000-6 / EN 61131-2) RoHS compliant

Document Contents

Full PDF covers the following topics in detail:

  • POINT I/O family overview and features (channel diagnostics, RIUP, DeviceLogix, Automatic Device Replacement)
  • POINT I/O system architecture (terminal base + RTB + module)
  • Selection workflow: adapter → module → terminal base → power → accessories → mounting
  • Communication adapter selection: EtherNet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, PROFIBUS DP
  • Digital I/O module tables: all 1734-I*, 1734-O*, 1734-M*, 1734-OW* modules
  • Analog I/O module tables: voltage, current, RTD, thermocouple, HART-capable
  • POINT Guard Safety I/O modules (SIL 3 / PL e inputs and outputs)
  • Specialty modules: serial, counter, synchronous encoder, SSI, RTBCJC
  • Terminal base selection: one-piece, RTB-based, screw-clamp vs spring-clamp, wire gauge
  • Power component selection: expansion power supplies (1734-EP24DC, EPAC) and field power distributor (1734-FPD)
  • Accessories: POINTBus extension cables, marker cards, field-side accessories
  • Mounting requirements and DIN rail orientation

In-Stock Products Covered by This Document

Every product below is in stock at our Charlotte, NC warehouse and covered by this publication. Ships same-day (orders before 4 PM ET) with 2.5-year warranty included.

1734-IB8
1734-IB8
Allen-Bradley 1734-IB8 POINT I/O 8 Point Digital Input…
$64.99
1734-TB
1734-TB
Allen-Bradley 1734-TB POINT/IO Terminal Base
$49.99

Frequently Asked Questions

How many POINT I/O modules can I fit on one network adapter?
Each POINT I/O communication adapter supports 13 – 17 modules natively (the exact number depends on the adapter — for example, 1734-AENT supports 17, 1734-ADN supports 13). With an external 1734-EP24DC expansion power supply you can extend a node up to 63 I/O modules / 504 channels per network drop.
What's the difference between 1734-IB8 and 1734-IB8S?
The 1734-IB8 is a standard 8-channel 24V DC sinking digital input module. The 1734-IB8S is the POINT Guard Safety equivalent, certified to SIL 3 / PL e for use as safety inputs (e-stops, safety gates, light curtains) on the same POINT I/O backplane as standard modules. The safety version includes dual-processor architecture and internal diagnostics the standard module doesn't have.
Can POINT I/O modules be removed under power?
Yes — every POINT I/O module supports Removal and Insertion Under Power (RIUP), so you can swap a module without de-energizing the system. The adapter auto-downloads the module's configuration via Automatic Device Replacement (ADR) when the replacement snaps in.
Does POINT I/O support EtherNet/IP natively?
POINT I/O supports EtherNet/IP via a 1734-AENT, 1734-AENTR (dual-port DLR), or 1734-AENTR2 adapter at the head of the node. The individual I/O modules themselves communicate over POINTBus (the 5V DC backplane); the adapter translates between POINTBus and the upstream network. EtherNet/IP connectivity is supported only with Logix controllers.
What terminal base do I need for a 1734-IB8 module?
Use a 1734-TB (screw-clamp) or 1734-TBS (spring-clamp) standard terminal base. The base includes an RTB that accepts 22 – 14 AWG field wiring. For field-side termination with reference-junction compensation (thermocouple modules), use 1734-TBCJC instead.
Can I mix POINT Guard safety modules with standard POINT I/O on the same backplane?
Yes — POINT Guard safety I/O is architected to coexist with standard non-safety I/O on the same POINTBus. The safety modules report to a GuardLogix safety task while standard modules report to the normal Logix task, using a single communication adapter. This is the primary architectural advantage of POINT Guard over separate safety systems.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: PLC Exchange is an independent reseller and is not an authorized distributor, affiliate, licensee, partner, or agent of Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation. All product information on this page is compiled from publicly-available manufacturer publications, technical data sheets, and catalog sources, each of which remains the copyright of its originating manufacturer. We make no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or fitness for any particular purpose of the specifications or descriptions shown — content may contain errors, omissions, or out-of-date information. Product images are the property of their respective manufacturers, trademark owners, and source publications, and are displayed solely for identification purposes under the nominative fair use doctrine; images are representative and may depict a different configuration or catalog variant than the exact product listed. Purchasers should independently verify specifications against the current manufacturer publication before placing an order. All product names, trademarks, service marks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply endorsement or affiliation.