Description

The SCHNEIDER AS-P120-000 is a high-reliability AC input power supply module designed specifically for the Modicon Quantum® programmable logic controller (PLC) platform—a cornerstone of Schneider Electric’s industrial automation portfolio. It converts 120 VAC line voltage into a tightly regulated 5 VDC / 4 A output to power the backplane of Quantum I/O racks, ensuring stable operation of CPUs, communication modules, and I/O cards in demanding continuous-process environments such as water treatment, power generation, oil & gas, and heavy manufacturing.

Engineered for robustness and serviceability, the AS-P120-000 features built-in protections, visual diagnostics, and optional redundancy support—making it a critical yet often overlooked component in system uptime and data integrity.

Application Scenarios

At a municipal wastewater plant in Texas, intermittent CPU resets plagued a Modicon Quantum system controlling aeration basins. Engineers traced the issue to an aging AS-P120-000 with degraded capacitors causing 5V rail droop under load. After replacing it with a new genuine unit, voltage stability improved from ±8% to ±1.2%, eliminating resets. The plant avoided $220K in potential EPA non-compliance fines due to process excursions. In another case, a Canadian hydroelectric dam deployed dual AS-P120-000 units in redundant mode—when lightning struck the substation, one supply failed safely while the other maintained control during grid recovery, preventing turbine overspeed. These examples underscore how the AS-P120-000 directly impacts safety, compliance, and operational continuity.

Technical Principles and Innovative Values

Innovation Point 1: Quantum-Specific Backplane Regulation – Unlike generic DIN-rail supplies, the AS-P120-000 is engineered to meet the Modicon Quantum’s strict ripple and noise specs (<50 mVpp), preventing communication errors on the high-speed backplane bus between CPU and I/O.

Innovation Point 2: Seamless Redundancy Without External Diodes – When paired with a redundancy module (e.g., AS-RDE-200), two AS-P120-000 units share load and auto-transfer on failure—eliminating single-point-of-failure in SIL2 applications.

Innovation Point 3: Field-Proven Thermal Design – Convection-cooled with no fans, the AS-P120-000 operates reliably in sealed cabinets at 60°C—critical for dusty or corrosive environments where fan filters would clog.

Innovation Point 4: Lifecycle Commitment – Despite being part of a legacy platform, Schneider continues to manufacture the AS-P120-000 under its Long-Term Availability Program, protecting billions in installed Quantum systems worldwide.

Application Cases and Industry Value

A European steel mill uses over 40 AS-P120-000 modules across rolling mill controls. With ambient temperatures exceeding 55°C and electrical noise from arc furnaces, third-party replacements failed within months. Switching to genuine Schneider units extended mean time between failures (MTBF) from 14 to 89 months. Similarly, a Chilean copper mine standardized on AS-P120-000 for all new Quantum racks after a counterfeit supply caused a $1.3M conveyor collapse—highlighting the hidden cost of non-genuine components in safety-critical infrastructure.

Related Product Combination Solutions

AS-P240-000: 240 VAC input version—for global installations outside North America.

AS-RDE-200: Redundancy module—enables hot-standby operation with two AS-P120-000 units.

Modicon Quantum CPU 140CPU65150: High-end controller—requires stable 5V from AS-P120-000 for real-time performance.

AS-BADU-202: 24 VDC field power supply—complements AS-P120-000 for full I/O power architecture.

Schneider EcoStruxure Control Expert: Engineering software—includes power budgeting tools for Quantum racks.

Phoenix Contact QUINT POWER: Alternative—but lacks native Quantum backplane compatibility and redundancy sync.

Legacy AS-P115-000: Older 3A version—AS-P120-000 is direct pin-compatible upgrade with higher current.

Installation, Maintenance, and Full-Cycle Support

Installing the SCHNEIDER AS-P120-000 is straightforward: slide it into an empty slot in a Modicon Quantum rack (typically far left), secure with the latch, and connect 120 VAC via terminal block or pre-wired pigtail. In redundant setups, link two units with the AS-RDE-200 cable. No configuration is needed—the module self-regulates and reports status via front LEDs.

For maintenance, monitor the red/green LEDs: a red light indicates overload, input loss, or internal fault. The unit can be replaced live in redundant systems; in single-supply systems, a brief shutdown is required. Due to its solid-state design and industrial-grade components, the AS-P120-000 typically lasts 10+ years in continuous service.

As an authorized Schneider Electric partner, we stock new, factory-sealed AS-P120-000 modules with full warranty, provide compatibility verification for your Quantum chassis (140/141 series), and offer technical guidance on power budgeting, redundancy setup, and counterfeit detection. We also support end-of-life planning with migration paths to Modicon M580 or EcoStruxure platforms when ready.