The FX2N-80MR-ES/UL is Mitsubishi Electric’s 80-point relay output base unit for the MELSEC FX2N compact PLC series — the largest base unit ever produced in the FX2N line — providing 40 digital inputs and 40 relay contact outputs in a self-contained AC-powered controller with UL listing for North American installations. As the maximum-capacity FX2N relay output base unit, the FX2N-80MR-ES/UL was specified for the most complex standalone machine control applications in the FX2N era, and continues to be the highest-demand legacy FX2N replacement part for facilities operating large-format machines built around this model that cannot be economically migrated to current PLC platforms. The FX2N-80MR-ES/UL is available through Atlantech Drives — quote within 24-48 hours, worldwide express shipping, 12-month warranty.
What Is the FX2N-80MR-ES/UL?
The FX2N-80MR-ES/UL is a MELSEC FX2N series compact PLC base unit providing 40 input points (X0–X47, octal numbering) and 40 relay contact output points (Y0–Y47, octal), in the widest housing produced for the FX2N platform with a built-in 100–240 VAC power supply. The 40 relay outputs are organised in five independent common groups of 8 points each — one more common group than the FX2N-64MR-ES/UL — providing the most granular voltage-zone assignment flexibility of any FX2N base unit, essential for complex multi-voltage machine panels controlling loads at 24 VDC, 48 VDC, 110 VAC, and 230 VAC from the same controller. The FX2N CPU provides the same 0.08 µs per basic instruction execution, 8,000-step program memory (expandable to 16,000 with FX2N-ROM-E1 cassette), 4 high-speed counter inputs at up to 60 kHz, and 20 kHz pulse output on Y0 as all other FX2N base units — the only differentiation between FX2N models is the I/O count and housing size, as the CPU architecture is identical across the FX2N range. The FX2N-80MR-ES/UL expands via FX2N extension modules to a maximum of 256 total I/O points, with the base unit’s 80 points consuming the majority of the 256-point address space and leaving capacity for up to 176 additional extension points if required.
Key Technical Specifications
- Model: FX2N-80MR-ES/UL
- Total I/O Points: 80 (40 inputs + 40 outputs)
- Input Type: 24 VDC sink (X0–X47)
- Output Type: Relay contact (Y0–Y47), 2 A per point, 240 VAC / 30 VDC
- Output Common Groups: 5 groups of 8 points (independent commons)
- Power Supply: 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
- Certification: UL listed
- Program Memory: 8,000 steps (16,000 with FX2N-ROM-E1 cassette)
- Execution Speed: 0.08 µs per LD instruction
- Built-in High-Speed Counters: 4 inputs (60 kHz single-phase, 30 kHz AB quadrature)
- Built-in Pulse Output: Y0 up to 20 kHz
- Communication: RS-422 (built-in)
- Battery: FX2N-1BL or FX2N-32BL lithium battery
- Expansion: Up to 256 total I/O via FX2N extension modules
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 55°C
- Dimensions (W × H × D): 285 mm × 90 mm × 87 mm
- Weight: Approx. 1.55 kg
Compatibility & System Integration
The FX2N-80MR-ES/UL supports the complete FX2N expansion ecosystem — FX2N extension I/O units (up to 256 total I/O), FX2N special function modules (FX2N-4AD, FX2N-4DA, FX2N-4LC, FX2N-1PG, FX2N-2PG, FX2N-1RM-SET positioning, FX2N-16CCL CC-Link), and FX2N communication option boards (FX2N-232-BD, FX2N-485-BD, FX2N-422-BD). Programming is supported by GX Works2 (selecting FX2N CPU type) and the legacy GX Developer software, with the built-in RS-422 port providing the programming connection via USB-to-RS-422 adapter cable. The FX2N-80MR-ES/UL connects to GOT1000 and GOT2000 HMI panels via the built-in RS-422 port using FX communication protocol for operator interface, and supports Modbus RTU slave communication via an FX2N-485-BD RS-485 option board for SCADA integration. In multi-controller architectures where the FX2N-80MR-ES/UL must exchange data with other PLCs or a supervisory controller, the FX2N-16CCL CC-Link local station module provides CC-Link Ver.1 connectivity — enabling the FX2N-80MR-ES/UL to participate as a local station on a CC-Link network managed by a MELSEC-Q or iQ-R master, sharing production data and receiving setpoints via the CC-Link link device area. For RS-485 Modbus RTU multi-drop networks, multiple FX2N-80MR-ES/UL units can be configured as Modbus slaves on the same RS-485 bus with unique slave addresses, enabling centralised SCADA monitoring of multiple FX2N machine controllers via a single RS-485 network.
Troubleshooting Guide
The FX2N-80MR-ES/UL’s 40 relay outputs and 5 independent common groups create specific troubleshooting complexity when individual outputs or entire common groups fail unexpectedly. For a complete common group failure (all 8 outputs in one group simultaneously inactive despite Y bits being ON in GX Works2 device monitor), check the external fuse or circuit breaker protecting the common group’s load supply — a blown fuse on a common group removes power from all 8 relay contact load circuits in that group simultaneously, appearing as 8 simultaneous output failures with no corresponding PLC fault. For individual output contact failures (single relay contact not switching despite Y bit ON), force the output ON in GX Works2 device monitor with the machine in a safe state and measure the voltage across the relay contact terminals — a contact reading over 1 V drop at rated load has reached end of mechanical life. For intermittent output failures on multiple points without a clear pattern, check the battery voltage and condition — a failing battery with insufficient voltage causes SRAM data corruption that can manifest as random ladder program instruction errors, including incorrect output states. Replace the battery if M8006 (low battery) is active or if the battery voltage measured at the battery connector is below 2.5 V. For high-speed counter inputs (X0–X3) reading erratically at frequencies above 10 kHz, verify the input signal quality — FX2N inputs are rated for 60 kHz maximum in single-phase mode, but signal rise and fall times faster than 10 µs are required at this frequency. Slow encoder output signals with rise times above 10 µs will cause counting errors at frequencies above approximately 10 kHz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the recommended current-generation Mitsubishi PLC equivalent when an FX2N-80MR-ES/UL must be replaced with a current-production model?
A: The closest current-production Mitsubishi equivalent is the FX3U-80MR/ES-A (40 inputs, 40 relay outputs, 80 total I/O), which provides identical I/O count and output type. The FX3U-80MR/ES-A delivers 3× faster instruction execution, 8× larger program memory (64,000 steps versus 8,000), and access to the full FX3U expansion and adapter ecosystem. FX2N extension I/O modules can be reused with the FX3U via the FX3U-CNV-BD adapter, while FX2N special function modules require replacement with FX3U-compatible equivalents. The FX2N program requires compatibility review in GX Works2 before running on the FX3U-80MR/ES-A.
Q: Can the FX2N-80MR-ES/UL’s five relay output common groups all be connected to different AC voltages simultaneously?
A: Yes. Each of the five 8-point common groups has an independent common terminal — connecting each group to a different AC voltage (such as 24 VDC, 110 VAC, and 230 VAC across three groups) is fully supported. The five common terminals have no internal electrical connection to each other, so different voltage levels on different groups do not interfere with each other. Clearly document which voltage is connected to each common group in the panel wiring schedule, and use appropriately rated fusing for each common group circuit to prevent cross-contamination hazards during maintenance.
Q: Is the FX2N-80MR-ES/UL still available for purchase, and how can its authenticity be verified?
A: The FX2N-80MR-ES/UL is discontinued from Mitsubishi production but remains available through specialist industrial electronics distributors including Atlantech Drives. When purchasing discontinued Mitsubishi FX2N products, verify authenticity by checking the serial number format (Mitsubishi serial numbers follow a specific alphanumeric format), inspecting the label printing quality (genuine Mitsubishi labels use high-resolution printing with consistent fonts), and confirming the FX2N firmware version via GX Works2 online connection — genuine units display a recognisable firmware version in the PLC status monitor, while counterfeit units may fail to connect or display unexpected firmware information.
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