RSLogix Micro Starter Lite with RSLogix Emulate 500
You can build and simulate ladder logic PLC programs for free. Follow this guide to download and install RSLogix Micro Starter Lite and RSLogix Emulate 500, then use them to test your PLC programs at no cost.
Rockwell Automation’s RSLogix Micro Starter Lite is a good choice for beginners because it is free and easy to use. I recommend it throughout my ladder logic tutorials as a starting point for learning PLC programming.
RSLogix Emulate 500 simulates a PLC so you can test ladder logic on your computer. You can begin learning to program ladder logic without buying a PLC, saving time and money.
Learning without buying hardware helps keep your training budget under control. If you later take contract work, review household costs as well as business expenses. Australian homeowners can ask how their broker uses mortgage broker software to identify loans due for review as work arrangements change.
Use the steps below to download and install the free version of RSLogix with Emulator 500.
You can also read my reviews of online PLC training courses. These reviews rate courses that teach you all about programming PLCs with Allen Bradley’s RSLogix.
Download and Install
To get into RSLogix Micro with the simulator, first download three software packages from Rockwell Automation. Be sure to download RSLinx Lite, as it connects the software to the simulator (Emulate 500).
Download and install the required software in these 4 steps:
1. Download the latest version of RSLogix Micro Starter Lite
Use Rockwell Automation’s website to get the installer. Open the page below and search for RSLogix Micro:
The image below shows where to find the download link:
Allen-Bradley Download Page for RSLOGIX Micro Starter Lite
2. Download RSLinx Lite
Next, download RSLinx Lite, which connects the software to the simulator. Its download link is on the RSLogix Micro Starter Lite page. The image below shows where to find it:
Download RSLogix Linx Lite.
3. Download RSLogix Emulate 500
The final download is the RSLogix Emulate 500 simulator. Downloading Emulate 500 takes a few more steps than the other two packages. Follow the instructions below:
Start by opening this website:
RSLogix Emulate 500 Download Page
Enter “emulate” in the Product Search field. Click RSLogix Emulate 500, then select the latest version. The animation below shows these steps:
Find RSLogix Emulate 500 in Download Center.
Scroll down and click the red Downloads button:
Select RSLogix Emulate 500 to download.
You will then pass through a series of download pages. On each page, you need to click a button or icon to continue to the next step. Start by clicking the small icon on the first page:
Click on the small icon to continue.
On the second page, click Download Cart:
Click on Download Cart.
Choose between managed and direct download. Direct Download works almost every time, so select that option:
Choose Direct Download to get RSLogix Emulate 500.
The final page has the RSLogix Emulate 500 download link:
RSLogix Emulate 500 Download Link for installation file.
4. Install The Software
You can now install the software on your computer. Use this installation order:
- RSLinx Lite
- RSLogix Micro Starter Lite
- RSLogic Emulate 500
Installing the 3 in another order might work, though I cannot promise it.
The installation process is straightforward. Open the files you downloaded and start the installation for each package. You only need to specify the directory where you want the software installed during this process.
What’s Next?
Once you have installed the three Rockwell Automation packages, you’re all set to begin. The next step is to learn how to start and configure the simulator. You can then write your own ladder logic programs and test them with RSLogix Emulate 500.
PLCdev.com has a short guide explaining how you configure the RSLogix, so you can begin programming and simulating ladder logic.
Leave a comment below if this guide helped you get started with RSLogix. You can also describe any problems you have downloading or installing the software.
Quite interesting software pack, Peter. It will do wonders to my final degree proyect.
Thanks!
I WAS ABLE TO DOWNLOAD : RSLinx Lite AND RSLogix Micro Starter Lite BUT RSLogic Emulate 500 SEEMS DIFFICULT AS I WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER ON THERE(AB) SITE, I KEPT GETTING A PASSWORD ERROR, FORBIDDING REGISTRATION AND IT DIDN’T CHANGE EVEN AFTER FOLLOWING THERE PASSWORD GUIDE .
THE EMULATE 500 SETUP IS ABOUT 8.34MB BUT UNFORTUNATE AFTER DAYS OF SEARCH FOR AN ALTERNATE MEANS TO DOWNLOAD THE SETUP,WHICH MOST PEOPLE NATURALLY WOULD DO, ALL SITE DO POINT DIRECTLY TO AB dot COM FOR THE DOWNLOAD.
I REALLY WANT T BE PRACTICAL IN LEARNING PLC BUT WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT, AM RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE. MY AIM IS TO USE PLC FOR MY PROJECT
After the point of download of Emulate500, I am asked for a member registration. I don’t reside in the USA. How else can I get the Emulte500.
managed to download all software, can’t wait to see how to use that to create/ test ladder logic program.
The software RSlogix Micro Starter Lite link is not working, do you have any new about this software?
If you don’t require actual Rockwell software and RSLogix and all you want to do is learn ladder logic and have a way to simulate and test your programs, then I would suggest TwinCAT 3. It is free and it is ONE (1) piece of software, not three or more. As with all programs, there is a learning curve but it uses the MS Visual Studio shell, so if you are familiar with navigating Visual Studio, you are already one step ahead in learning TwinCAT. TwinCAT is used for programming Beckhoff PLC’s, and you can code and simulate ladder programs, structured text, function block programs (not just ladder like with the Rockwell software) right away without any other programs to download or hardware to acquire.
Dear Friends,
Please send me the proper link to download RSLogix software.
thanks for the guide!!! it worked flawlessly on my pc. I’ve been searching for this for a while.
I have followed the directions using the article on plcdev.com “Learn Ladder Logic with a Free Version of RSLogix 500 and RSEmulator 500”.
I am using a laptop running Windows 10 (maybe thats an issue?0.
I did have the RSLogix Micro Starter Lite (development environment) running but had some problems with communicating with the emulator.
So I uninstalled everything and started all over again and now when I launch RSLogix Micro Starter Lite, I get a “Server Busy” msg dialog with options to “Switch To” or “Retry”. The text is: “This action cannot be completed because the other program is busy. Choose ‘Switch To’ to activate the bust program and correct the proble.”
The msg dialog is of no real help — it doesn’t specify ‘the other program’ and choosing ‘Switch To’, is the same as clicking on the start button.
Any thoughts as to what the problem is?
Hi
Thanks for your work
I really need the starter lite emulator, but download page does not work any more, CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?
Allen-Bradley seems to change their download links. But I put the new one now and it should be working!
The download link is broken. I have heard a rumor that Rockwell likes to move this link around so that the emulator software isn’t easy to find. Thoughts?
I put in a new link that is working now 🙂
The download link is not available at this moment. is there any alternative download links?
It appears, “The page you requested cannot be found.”
Please Help
Hey Harron,
Yes, they changed the link. Thanks for the info. Now it should be updated and working 🙂
I contacted Rockwell in regard to downloading the above software. They said it is discontinued but pointed me to an earlier version of microlite and emulate 500.
The steps to follow are:
1. Go to https://compatibility.rockwellautomation.com/Pages/home.aspx
2. Find the Downloads tab
3. Enter 1763 in the search bar
4. Select micro logix 1100 (weird I know but trust me)
5. Select old version 10 on the right
6 Everything you need under accessory files is there
Before carrying out the above you will need to register with Rockwell.
Hope this helps