In 1969, Bedford Associates (Bedford, MA) invented a specialized computer intended to make America’s industrial base more competitive in an ever-expanding global market. The original MODular DIgital CONtroller, or Modicon, featured a rugged design, modular inputs and outputs to connect easily to a wide range of field devices, and a revolutionary programming language, called Ladder Logic, that simulated the behavior of the relay contacts and coils that were already familiar to industrial process engineers.

This new technology ushered in a huge advancement in the field of Industrial Automation, keeping manufacturing profit margins up and products affordable, and directly contributing to the success of the U.S. as the world’s leading industrial economy. Today, what’s commonly called the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) can be found everywhere: from chicken farms to amusement parks, factory floors to wastewater plants, and railroad stations to battleships. Many of these existing applications are based on the widely popular Modicon 984 and Modicon Compact 984 PLC platforms; though the model 984 is now decades old, this system still provide its users with reliable operation.

Through the acquisitions of Modicon, Telemecanique and Square D Company, Schneider Electric has brought together the best of three product lines into a single, cohesive offer supported by a global network of field offices and distributor partners. This approach empowers our customers with the ability to maintain their legacy systems with world-class services, while simplifying the transition to the latest automation technology as business conditions require. Consistent with the Modicon product line 35+ year tradition of innovation and high quality, Schneider Electric has continued in its evolution of PLC technology. These advancements include the adoption of advanced processors, function block programming and integrated Ethernet with embedded Web servers.

Today’s flagship products are sold under the Telemecanique brand – the Modicon® Quantum™, Modicon® Momentum™, Modicon® Premium™ and Modicon® M340™ PLCs – and represent the industry’s highest achievements toward making automated processes easier to maintain, more efficient, and more affordable to purchase and to integrate.