The FX2N-32MR-ES/UL is Mitsubishi Electric’s 32-point relay output base unit for the MELSEC FX2N compact PLC series, providing 16 digital inputs and 16 relay contact outputs in a self-contained AC-powered controller with UL listing for North American installations — the most widely installed relay output model in the FX2N legacy series, found in tens of thousands of active manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific in applications ranging from conveyor control and packaging machinery to HVAC and water treatment equipment. As the midrange relay output base unit of the discontinued but extensively field-installed FX2N platform, the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL is in sustained demand for direct maintenance replacement in operational FX2N systems where platform migration is not currently planned. In stock at Atlantech Drives. Request your quote within 24-48 hours with worldwide shipping and 12-month warranty.
What Is the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL?
The FX2N-32MR-ES/UL is a MELSEC FX2N series compact PLC base unit providing 16 input points (X0–X17, octal numbering) and 16 relay contact output points (Y0–Y17, octal), powered from 100–240 VAC mains with a built-in power supply. The relay outputs are organised in independent common groups of 8 points each, with separate common terminals for each group enabling simultaneous switching of loads at different voltages — one group driving 230 VAC motor contactors and the other 24 VDC solenoid valves from the same module. The FX2N CPU executes programs at 0.08 µs per basic instruction with 8,000 steps of standard program memory (expandable to 16,000 steps with the FX2N-ROM-E1 memory cassette), real-time clock, built-in RS-422 communication port, and 4 high-speed counter inputs at up to 60 kHz for single-phase counting. Built-in pulse output on Y0 at 20 kHz enables basic stepper motor positioning without additional modules. The FX2N-32MR-ES/UL expands via FX2N extension I/O modules to a maximum of 256 total I/O points and connects to the full FX2N special function module range for analogue, positioning, temperature, and network communication functions.
Key Technical Specifications
- Model: FX2N-32MR-ES/UL
- Total I/O Points: 32 (16 inputs + 16 outputs)
- Input Type: 24 VDC sink (X0–X17)
- Output Type: Relay contact (Y0–Y17), 2 A per point, 240 VAC / 30 VDC
- Output Common Groups: 2 groups of 8 (independent commons)
- Power Supply: 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
- Certification: UL listed
- Program Memory: 8,000 steps standard (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): 150 mm × 90 mm × 87 mm
- Weight: Approx. 0.87 kg
Typical Industrial Applications
The FX2N-32MR-ES/UL was Mitsubishi’s workhorse compact PLC for general-purpose factory automation during the late 1990s and 2000s, and is found actively running in a wide range of industrial applications that continue to operate reliably on the installed FX2N platform. Conveyor and material handling systems in automotive assembly and distribution centres use the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL to control drive contactors, diverter solenoids, jam detection sensors, and operator call stations — the 16 relay outputs directly driving 24 VDC relay coils and contactor coils without intermediate interface hardware. Injection moulding machines with FX2N-based controllers use the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL as the main machine controller managing hydraulic valve contactors, barrel heater enable signals (via SSR control from relay output), safety gate monitoring inputs, and cycle status indicators. HVAC air handling unit controllers in commercial and industrial buildings use the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL for fan motor contactor control, damper actuator switching, filter differential pressure alarm monitoring, and zone valve control — with the real-time clock enabling scheduled start/stop and energy management functions without additional timer hardware. Water treatment pump station controllers manage pump motor starters, valve actuators, level switch inputs, and flow meter pulse inputs via the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL’s relay outputs and high-speed counter inputs respectively, with Modbus RTU SCADA communication via an FX2N-485-BD option board providing remote monitoring.
Maintenance Tips
For FX2N-32MR-ES/UL units in active service, the primary maintenance items are the relay contacts and the lithium battery. The relay output contacts are rated for 200,000 operations at rated resistive load — for frequently switching outputs (conveyor drive enable, cycle start solenoids), estimate the accumulated switch count and schedule proactive base unit replacement at 180,000 operations rather than waiting for contact failure during production. Monitor the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL battery status via special relay M8006 (low battery warning) in the ladder program or via GX Works2’s PLC status monitor — when M8006 activates, the battery has approximately 1–3 months of remaining retention capacity before program loss occurs. Replace the FX2N-1BL or FX2N-32BL battery within 20 seconds of removal while the unit is powered down, or keep the unit powered during replacement — the SRAM capacitor provides only 20 seconds of data retention during battery-less operation. For units in high-temperature environments (above 40°C), the battery service life is reduced from 5 years to approximately 2–3 years — adjust the inspection interval accordingly. Inspect the extension module connection cables (FX-16E-500CAB-S type) annually for jacket cracking, conductor corrosion at the connector, and secure engagement at both ends — extension cable faults cause total loss of extension module I/O without any CPU fault indication, appearing as unexplained machine malfunction rather than a PLC hardware fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL be directly replaced with an FX3U-32MR/ES-A without changing the extension modules or special function modules?
A: FX2N extension I/O modules (FX2N-8EX, FX2N-16EX, FX2N-8EYR, FX2N-16EYR) can be reused with the FX3U-32MR/ES-A via the FX3U-CNV-BD conversion adapter, preserving the existing extension I/O hardware investment. However, FX2N special function modules (FX2N-4AD, FX2N-4DA, FX2N-4LC, FX2N-1PG, FX2N-232IF) are not compatible with the FX3U — these modules must be replaced with FX3U-compatible equivalents (FX3U-4AD-ADP, FX3U-4DA-ADP, etc.) during the migration. If the existing installation uses FX2N special function modules that are critical to machine operation, a like-for-like FX2N-32MR-ES/UL replacement is the simpler maintenance option pending a planned full migration to FX3U.
Q: Is the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL compatible with GX Works3 programming software?
A: GX Works3 does not support FX2N programming — the FX2N series is supported by GX Works2 (current Mitsubishi engineering software) and the legacy GX Developer. For FX2N maintenance programming, use GX Works2 with the FX2N CPU type selected, connected via a USB-to-RS-422 adapter cable. GX Developer projects can be imported into GX Works2 for modification and redownload to the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL without issues in most cases.
Q: What is the maximum program size achievable on the FX2N-32MR-ES/UL, and can it be increased?
A: The FX2N-32MR-ES/UL’s standard internal program memory is 8,000 steps. By installing the FX2N-ROM-E1 flash ROM memory cassette in the base unit’s memory cassette slot (located behind the front cover), the program capacity is increased to 16,000 steps. The memory cassette also provides non-volatile program storage that survives battery failure — a significant reliability benefit for remote or difficult-to-access installations. No further memory expansion beyond 16,000 steps is possible on the FX2N platform.
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