BLS2020 C162 Berger Lahr/Schneider Electric Control Board Module

Description

Product Model: BLS2020 C162

• Product Brand: Schneider Electric (via Berger Lahr)
• Product Series: BLS 2020 / Berger Lahr Control Board Modules
• Product Features:
  • A specialized control board or PLC module designed for industrial rack systems (by Berger Lahr / Schneider Electric).
  • Discontinued by the manufacturer — important for spare-strategy and lifecycle planning.
  • Lightweight module (approx. 0.88 lbs) for integration into larger machine control systems.

Applications & Industry Context

In many industrial automation environments — from packaging lines, material handling systems, to custom machine controls — legacy control architectures continue to play a central role. The BLS 2020 C162 module steps into that environment as a component inside rack-based control systems by Berger Lahr (now part of Schneider Electric). Because many installations built years ago still rely on these boards, understanding their function, compatibility and sourcing strategy is vital for maintenance engineers.

For example, consider a machine builder who used Berger Lahr control racks to handle logic, I/O expansion, communication tasks and custom automation modules. When one board fails mid-production, downtime can cascade: the machine’s logic may stop, I/O stops responding, and production grinds to a halt. Having the BLS 2020 C162 (or equivalent) on hand allows the plant to swap out the board, restore the system quickly and skip a full redesign.

Industries where this board may still be found include legacy packaging machines, retrofit conveyor systems, industrial OEM machines built in the 1990s or early 2000s, or any automation line where Berger Lahr components were chosen for their reliability. Because the product is listed as “DISCONTINUED BY MANUFACTURER”, it also highlights the need for strategic spare-parts planning. When you maintain such equipment, the challenge isn’t just using the board today, but ensuring you have a plan for tomorrow — spares, refurbished units, or migration to newer platforms.

In short: if your control rack uses the BLS 2020 series modules, the BLS 2020 C162 is a key piece — its disruption affects not only one machine but possibly multiple stations. Recognizing its place in your equipment lifecycle, wiring harnesses, logic set and backplane layout is critical.

Product Role & System Fit

The BLS 2020 C162 serves as a module within a larger rack or “bus” style controller environment. It is not a stand-alone PLC CPU or a simple IO terminal board—it is a dedicated board likely performing a control, logic or communication function within the Berger Lahr system. According to listings, it is categorized under “PLC Module/Rack” and “Control Board Module.”

From a system integrator’s point of view, here’s how to think about the fit: the machine control rack consists of multiple modules — power supply, bus interface, logic CPU, I/O modules, communication modules, and special function boards such as the BLS 2020 series. The board occupies a slot, receives backplane signals, and interfaces with field wiring or internal machine logic. Its drop-in nature allows the rest of the rack to remain unchanged, which is important for retrofits or replacements.

If you are installing or replacing the BLS 2020 C162, you must check:

• That the rack slot and backplane bus are compatible with “BLS 2020” modules,
• That the wiring harness and terminal connections match the board’s pinout,
• That the logic firmware (if any) corresponds to your system’s version,
• That the board’s revision number or suffix (C162) matches your original board to avoid compatibility issues.

Because the board is listed under Schneider Electric / Berger Lahr, sourcing a matching unit helps maintain the system’s original architectural integrity. Additionally, given its discontinued status, it might also be used as part of a migration evaluation: continue using this board today, but plan for future replacement.

Technical Features & Benefits

While detailed publicly available specs for the BLS 2020 C162 are limited, available documentation and vendor listings provide useful insights:

• Board Weight and Size: One listing states a weight of 0.88 lbs.  While not the full dimensions, this indicates the board is relatively compact and lightweight for its intended rack mount environment.
• Discontinued Status: A key “feature” is that the board is labeled “DISCONTINUED BY MANUFACTURER.” While not a performance specification, this has major implications for maintenance and lifecycle management. For buyers and maintenance engineers, this drives the second benefit: spare availability and strategic sourcing become critical.
• Brand & Platform Integration: Because the module is from Berger Lahr / Schneider Electric, it is designed for industrial automation environments, and presumably meets the same ruggedness, connector standards and engineering practices of the OEM. For instance, the listing on XYAutomation identifies it as “Industrial PC 19”” – implying adaptation for rack-mounted control system.  This brand credibility means it integrates into systems already designed around Berger Lahr hardware, simplifying replacements.
• Suitability for Obsolete Systems: Given many newer machines move to standard PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.), a board like BLS 2020 C162 offers value for those looking to maintain older fleets without full migration. The benefit: lower cost downtime, less engineering redesign, reuse of existing wiring and logic.
• Availability in New/Refurbished Forms: Listings show the board in “Never Used” packaging, “Refurbished” condition, etc., with multi-year warranties offered by aftermarket suppliers. Example: Radwell lists new at US$5,320 and refurbished at US$4,200 with a 2-year warranty. This market support is a practical benefit—gives you options for spares replacement.

However, some caveats: because the specs are vague publicly, you must verify electrical, firmware, connector details; and because the board is obsolete, you may face lead-time or compatibility constraints.

Technical Specifications Table

Installation & Maintenance Insights

From hands-on experience in industrial automation with legacy control boards like the BLS 2020 C162, here are key practical tips for installation and upkeep:

1. Slot & Backplane Verification
   Before installing, confirm that the slot, backplane bus type (voltage, connector), and neighboring module layout match what this board was originally used in. Discrepancies can lead to “no communication” issues or damage.
2. Board Revision & Connector Check
   Because this unit is discontinued and may have multiple sub-revisions (C162 suffix indicates a variant), compare your old board’s label to the new one. Check for identical pin-out, jumper settings, firmware versions (if noted), and connector keying.
3. Power Off During Swap
   As with any rack module replacement, power down the entire rack before inserting or removing the board to avoid backplane bus damage or mis-alignment.
4. Wiring Harness Mapping
   When replacing, copy/photograph wiring harnesses and terminal connections. In legacy systems wiring can be decades old. If the board changes slightly, mis-wired signals can cause logic failures or machine shutdown.
5. Firmware/Parameter Backup
   If the board holds parameters or firmware settings (some control boards do), back up your old board’s settings before you swap. Ensure the new board is loaded with the correct firmware to match the system.
6. Testing After Installation
   After installation, run the logic/communication tests, verify I/O response or communication bus health, and watch for fault codes. Because the board is part of a larger system, initial faults may not show clearly unless you deliberately verify.
7. Spare Strategy Planning
   Given the discontinued status, keep a tested spare BLS 2020 C162 board in your inventory. Label it, note board revision, test date, and keep its configuration ready. For critical production machines, downtime savings justify the spare cost.
8. Environmental Factors
   Ensure the cabinet has proper cooling, dust control, and serviceability. Legacy racks can suffer from age-related issues like loose backplane connectors, oxidised contacts, or cable fatigue.
9. Lifecycle Planning
   Given the board’s obsolescence, consider a migration plan: either adapt the legacy control rack to a newer platform or plan incremental upgrades. That way you won’t rely solely on a diminishing supply chain of spares.