Something that has been looming for a while now following its change in standards to general industrial use (B2B) earlier in the year, the official confirmation of the end of life for the Mitsubishi Electric Alpha2 series has been released.
Sold successfully since their release, these popular, easy-to-use, entry model, all-in-one power supply, CPU, and I/O main unit application controllers, with built in display, analogue inputs, counters, timers and GSM functionality features, are now subject to discontinuation of production from 30th September 2025. The start of made-to-order production will begin on 1st October 2024, with the final order acceptance being 30th May 2025. End of Service (EOS) has been set at 30th June 2032.
Mitsubishi Electric Alpha2 Series Simple Application Controllers
Mitsubishi Electric Alpha2 controllers offer simple, reliable control for a range of automation applications including lighting, air conditioning, security systems, temperature, and water control.
Alpha is the perfect maintenance product, and yet can adequately control a new process from the start. The Alpha 2 (Alpha XL) can process up to 200 function blocks in a single programme, and every single function (timers, counters, analogue signal processing, calendar, clock etc.) can be used as many times as you need in all your programmes.
Migration of Alpha2 to MELSEC iQ-F Series & MELSEC-F Series suggested
Mitsubishi Electric’s reason for discontinuation states that ‘it is difficult to obtain dedicated ICs which are main parts for the relevant models, and so our company will have difficulty to maintain the production system.’ They go on to state that there is no alternative model, however they do suggest replacing with models of their MELSEC iQ-F series or MELSEC-F series.
For a comparison of specifications between the discontinued Mitsubishi Electric Alpha2 series models and alternative models of MELSEC iQ-F series and MELSEC-F series, please click on the graphic opposite and see page 2.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN: FAM-A-0076-A
Date of Issue: January 2024
Relevant Models: AL2-10MR-A, AL2-10MR-D, AL2-14MR-A, AL2-14MR-D, AL2-24MR-A, AL2-24MR-D, AL2-2DA, AL2-2PT-ADP, AL2-2TCADP, AL2-4EX, AL2-4EX-A2, AL2-4EYR, AL2-4EYT, AL2-EEPROM-2, AL2-GSM-CAB, AL-232CAB
The factory will do its best to provide requested products through to the dates outlined but we do know that sourcing some of the required products has been a challenge.
Whilst some of this activity has already commenced, we will of course try and assist as best we can with any planned migration from Alpha2.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this regard.
BPX are proud Innovation Partners of Mitsubishi Electric, and since 1989, the largest independent technical distributor of Mitsubishi Electric automation equipment in the UK. Should you wish to discuss your particular options with you, and of course, assist with any planned migration with a Mitsubishi Electric specialist and member of our Application Support Team, please don’t hesitate to submit our contact form below, and we’ll be in back in touch at the earliest opportunity.
