MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC MELSEC iQ-R/System Q/L series PLC family

Product Overview and Positioning

5832 series English product catalog, system introduction Mitsubishi Electric MELSEC modular PLC family, aimed at factory automation FA, focusing on green energy saving, global standards, high reliability, and scalability.

Product lineup: iQ-R series (new generation flagship), System Q series (classic all-around), L series (compact inorganic frame)

Core positioning: Full coverage from small standalone equipment to large-scale production line/factory level control systems

Design concept: iQ Platform unified platform, supporting multi CPU integration (PLC+motion+process+PC+C language)

Core specifications of the three major series

Series architecture processing speed maximum I/O multiple CPU security level redundancy feature

IQ-R modular rack 0.98ns 4096 up to 4 SIL3/PL e SIL2 redundant high-speed buses, built-in safety OPC UA、MES

System Q modular rack 1.9~120ns 4096/8192 up to 4 SIL3/PL e hot standby redundant mature and stable, widely compatible, motion/CNC/robot CPU

L series inorganic rack stacking 9.5ns 4096/8192 does not support built-in I/O/Ethernet/USB/SD, saving space

iQ-R series (flagship high-performance)

CPU lineup: Standard CPU, Process CPU, SIL3 Safety CPU, SIL2 Redundant CPU, Sports CPU, C Controller CPU

Performance: LD instruction 0.98ns, program capacity 10k-1200k steps, data memory 2-40MB

Motion Control: Motion CPU with up to 64 axes, supports SSCNET III/H (150Mbps), synchronous/spiral interpolation

Safety: The Safety CPU meets the requirements of IEC 61131-3, ISO 13849-1 PL e, and IEC 61508 SIL3

Redundancy: SIL2 redundant system, switching * *<10ms * *, suitable for continuous production

Special modules: OPC UA server, MES interface, high-speed data recording, energy measurement, C intelligent module

System Q series (versatile mid size)

CPU types: Universal CPU, Redundant CPU (Q12/25PRH), Motion CPU, PC CPU, C Controller, Robot/NC CPU

Multiple CPUs: Up to 4 CPUs on a single rack work together to share sequential/motion/information tasks

Redundancy: Hot standby system, switching * *<21ms * *, supporting full redundancy of power/network/CPU

Safety: QS safety PLC, safety relay, WS safety controller, meeting SIL3/Cat.4/PL requirements

Sports: Up to 32 axes, supporting SSCNET III/H, electronic cam, synchronous control

L series (compact inorganic frame)

Structure: Inorganic rack stacking, saving 70% installation space

Built in features: 24 point I/O, Ethernet, Mini USB, SD card, data recording, 2-axis positioning

Expansion: Up to 40 expansion modules, supporting 16 axis Simple Motion

Applicable: Small equipment, packaging machines, temperature control, building monitoring

Core functional system

(1) Motion control

Bus: SSCNET III/H (150Mbps, fiber optic, anti-interference)

Axis count: iQ-R 64 axis, System Q 32 axis, L series 16 axis

Function: Positioning, speed/torque control, synchronization, electronic cam, spiral interpolation

(2) Process control

IQ-R: Built in two degree of freedom PID, self-tuning, supports SIL2 redundancy

System Q: Redundant process CPU, 52 dedicated process instructions, high-precision loop control

(3) Functional safety

Standards: EN ISO 13849-1 PL e, IEC 61508 SIL3

Solution: iQ-R Safety CPU, System QS Safety PLC, Safety Relay, CC Link Safety Network

(4) Informationization and Networking

Industrial Ethernet: CC Link IE, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP

Informationization: OPC UA server, MES interface, high-speed data recording, web server

Protocol: SLMP seamless messaging protocol, cross layer transparent access

(5) Multi CPU and PC/C control

Multi CPU: iQ-R/Q up to 4 CPUs, achieving control+motion+information integration

C Controller: Based on VxWorks, supports C/C++, adapts to complex algorithms/gateways

PC CPU: Embedded Windows, fanless SSD， Industrial grade stability

Software and Engineering

Programming software: GX Works3 (iQ-R), GX Works2 (Q/L)

Language: LD, FBD, ST, SFC, IL, fully compatible with IEC 61131-3

Efficiency: Function block FB reuse, engineering reuse, one click upgrade, online modification

Certification and Environment

Safety regulations: CE, C-UL-US, UKCA, CCC

Safety: T Ü V SIL2/SIL3, PL e/Cat.4

Environment: Working temperature 0~55 ℃, protection IP20, vibration and impact resistance, compatible with G3 anti-corrosion

Key questions and answers

Question 1: What are the core positioning and selection differences of iQ-R, System Q, and L series?

answer:

IQ-R: Flagship high-performance, pursuing speed, safety, redundancy, and informatization, suitable for high-end equipment and continuous production.

System Q: versatile and stable, with multiple CPUs, redundancy, and strong compatibility, suitable for medium-sized production lines and traditional upgrades.

L series: Compact inorganic frame, with multiple built-in functions, space saving, and low cost, suitable for small single machine equipment.

Question 2: What international standards does the MELSEC security solution meet, and what are the differences in security implementation between iQ-R and System Q?

Answer: The entire system meets ISO 13849-1 PL e, EN 954-1 Cat.4, and IEC 61508 SIL3.

IQ-R: Integrated security CPU, standard and security programs run on the same CPU, connected to security devices through CC Link IE Field.

System Q: Independent QS safety PLC+safety relay+CC Link Safety network, separating safety from standards.

Question 3: What is the upper limit of iQ-R’s motion control capability, and what are the improvements compared to System Q?

answer:

IQ-R: Single Motion CPU can support up to 64 axes, SSCNET III/H (150Mbps), and high-speed data exchange with multiple CPUs.

System Q: Up to 32 axes, bus speed and data bandwidth between CPUs are lower than iQ-R.

Improvement: Faster speed, doubled number of axes, higher synchronization accuracy, less wiring, and higher integration.