Allen-Bradley 1336-BDB-SP30D Retrofit-Ready Gate Drive Board for 1336 PLUS Series Control Systems
The Allen-Bradley 1336-BDB-SP30D is a gate drive board engineered for the 1336 PLUS series of AC variable frequency drives, one of Rockwell Automation’s most widely deployed drive platforms across manufacturing, water treatment, material handling, and process control industries. As the 1336 PLUS series approaches end-of-life and spare parts become increasingly scarce, the 1336-BDB-SP30D has become a critical retrofit and replacement component for engineers and maintenance teams seeking to extend the operational life of existing drive cabinets without committing to a full system overhaul.
This gate drive board governs the IGBT firing sequence within the drive’s power section, directly controlling motor torque, speed ramp profiles, and fault response behavior. A failed or degraded gate drive board typically manifests as overcurrent faults, erratic motor behavior, drive lockout, or complete loss of output. Sourcing a verified replacement 1336-BDB-SP30D allows maintenance teams to restore full drive functionality with minimal downtime and without reprogramming the upstream PLC or reconfiguring the HMI display.
Upgrade Compatibility Table
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Compatible Drive Series | Allen-Bradley 1336 PLUS, 1336 PLUS II |
| Part Number | 1336-BDB-SP30D |
| Board Function | IGBT Gate Drive / Power Section Control |
| Mounting Interface | Direct backplane mount — no adapter required for 1336 PLUS chassis |
| Terminal Wiring | Compatible with existing 1336 PLUS wiring harness; no re-termination required |
| Communication Compatibility | Works with existing 1336-GM1, 1336-GM6 communication modules (DeviceNet, DH+, Remote I/O) |
| Replacement Recommendation | Direct drop-in replacement for failed or degraded OEM gate drive boards |
| Commissioning Notes | Verify drive parameters (P-files) are backed up before swap; re-tune current limit and accel/decel ramps post-installation |
| Warranty | 12-Month Warranty — covers manufacturing defects and functional failure under normal operating conditions |
Retrofit Planning for Existing Automation Systems
Replacing the 1336-BDB-SP30D within an active production environment requires careful pre-planning to avoid unintended disruptions to the broader control architecture. Before initiating the swap, maintenance engineers should verify the drive’s power supply module output — typically a 1336-PB or equivalent internal power supply board — to confirm that bus voltage is within specification and that the fault condition is isolated to the gate drive board rather than upstream power components.
The 1336 PLUS drive chassis typically houses the gate drive board alongside the main control board (1336-MCB series), the precharge board, and the power structure. When removing the 1336-BDB-SP30D, technicians should document all ribbon cable and harness connector positions, as incorrect reconnection can result in immediate fault-on-power-up conditions. The drive’s I/O terminal block wiring — including analog speed reference inputs, digital run/stop commands, and fault relay outputs — does not need to be disturbed during a gate drive board replacement, which significantly reduces re-commissioning time.
For sites running the 1336 PLUS drive in conjunction with a ControlLogix or SLC 500 PLC, the PLC program logic and I/O mapping remain unaffected by the gate drive board replacement. The drive communicates with the controller via a 1336-GM6 Remote I/O adapter or a 1336-GM1 DeviceNet module, and neither the network node address nor the I/O image table mapping requires reconfiguration after the board swap. This is a key advantage over full drive replacement scenarios, where the 1336 PLUS to PowerFlex 700 or PowerFlex 755 migration path would require parameter re-entry, I/O re-mapping, and in many cases, PLC program modifications to accommodate new fault codes and status word bit assignments.
Sites that have already begun a phased migration from 1336 PLUS to PowerFlex 400 or PowerFlex 525 drives should consider maintaining a stock of 1336-BDB-SP30D boards for the remaining legacy drives still in service. This hybrid fleet approach — where newer drives handle non-critical or variable-load applications while legacy 1336 PLUS drives continue on critical process loops — is common in food processing, chemical, and HVAC applications where full cutover cannot be scheduled during normal production windows.
When the retrofit scope extends beyond the gate drive board to include communication upgrades, engineers frequently pair the 1336-BDB-SP30D replacement with installation of a 1336-GM6 or 1336-GM1 communication module upgrade, or add a 1203-GU6 Universal Serial Interface module to enable EtherNet/IP connectivity on legacy 1336 PLUS drives. This approach preserves the mechanical and electrical investment in the existing drive cabinet while modernizing the network layer to support SCADA integration, remote diagnostics, and predictive maintenance platforms.
For multi-drive panels where several 1336 PLUS units share a common DC bus or are mounted in a common enclosure with a 1336-BRF brake resistor assembly, the gate drive board replacement should be sequenced carefully to avoid inadvertent energization of adjacent drives. Lockout/tagout procedures must be applied to the full panel, and bus capacitor discharge time (typically 5 minutes minimum after power removal) must be observed before handling the 1336-BDB-SP30D or any internal power section component.
Downtime Control During System Migration
Minimizing unplanned downtime is the primary operational concern when replacing a gate drive board in a live production environment. The 1336-BDB-SP30D replacement procedure, when properly planned, can typically be completed within a 2–4 hour maintenance window, making it feasible to execute during scheduled shift changes or planned preventive maintenance intervals.
The most effective downtime reduction strategy is pre-staging: the replacement 1336-BDB-SP30D should be on-site and bench-verified before the maintenance window opens. This includes a visual inspection for shipping damage, confirmation of board revision compatibility with the installed drive firmware, and — where test equipment is available — a basic power-on self-test using a drive test fixture or a spare drive chassis.
Before powering down the drive, the existing parameter set should be uploaded and saved using RSLogix 5000, DriveExplorer, or DriveExecutive software. The 1336 PLUS parameter file (P-file) contains all speed references, current limits, accel/decel ramp times, fault response configurations, and analog I/O scaling values. Losing this data requires manual re-entry from the original commissioning documentation, which can extend the maintenance window significantly — particularly on older installations where commissioning records may be incomplete.
After installing the replacement 1336-BDB-SP30D and restoring power, the drive should be brought up in a no-load condition first, with the motor disconnected at the output terminals. This allows verification of gate drive firing patterns, DC bus voltage stability, and fault-free startup before reconnecting the motor and resuming process control. Once the motor is reconnected, a controlled ramp-up under reduced load confirms that torque response, speed regulation, and fault relay behavior are consistent with pre-failure performance. The entire verification sequence — parameter restore, no-load test, loaded ramp-up, and process handback — can typically be completed within the planned maintenance window without requiring HMI screen modifications or PLC program changes.
Retrofit Support FAQ
Q: Is the 1336-BDB-SP30D a direct replacement for all 1336 PLUS drive variants?
A: The 1336-BDB-SP30D is compatible with the 1336 PLUS and 1336 PLUS II drive series across the applicable horsepower range. Compatibility should be confirmed against the drive’s catalog number and firmware revision. For drives outside the standard 1336 PLUS family — such as the 1336 IMPACT or 1336 FORCE — a different gate drive board part number is required. Contact our technical team with your full drive catalog number for confirmation before ordering.
Q: Do I need to reconfigure my PLC or HMI after replacing the gate drive board?
A: No. The 1336-BDB-SP30D replacement does not alter the drive’s communication node address, I/O image table, or parameter structure. Your SLC 500 or ControlLogix PLC program, as well as any PanelView HMI screens configured for the 1336 PLUS drive, will continue to operate without modification. The only post-installation step is restoring the drive parameter file (P-file) if it was not retained in the drive’s non-volatile memory.
Q: What wiring changes are required when installing the 1336-BDB-SP30D?
A: No external wiring changes are required. The 1336-BDB-SP30D connects to the drive’s internal power section via the existing ribbon cable harness and board-to-board connectors. The drive’s input power terminals, output motor terminals, and control terminal block wiring remain undisturbed. Technicians should follow the drive’s internal wiring diagram (available in the 1336 PLUS User Manual, publication 1336 PLUS-5.0) to confirm correct harness reconnection after board installation.
Q: What does the 12-month warranty cover, and what is the process for a warranty claim?
A: The 12-month warranty covers manufacturing defects and functional failure under normal operating conditions, including gate drive output failure, component-level defects, and board-level faults not caused by external overvoltage, incorrect installation, or physical damage. All units undergo functional testing prior to shipment. To initiate a warranty claim, contact our sales team with the order number, installation date, and a description of the fault condition. Replacement or repair will be arranged promptly to minimize your system downtime.
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