Eaton XControl Modular PLC Complete Guide

Eaton XControl Series Modular PLC: XC-104/204/303 Complete Technical Manual

Introduction: A miniaturized control system for future automation

In the field of modern industrial automation, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) serve as the core of control systems, and their performance, reliability, and flexibility directly determine production efficiency and system stability. The Eaton XControl series modular PLCs, including three sub series XC-104, XC-204, and XC-303, are compact high-performance controllers designed to meet diverse needs from small machine control to complex process automation.

The XControl series not only has powerful processing capabilities and rich communication interfaces, but also supports seamless expansion with XN300 series I/O modules, providing users with highly flexible modular solutions. This article is based on Eaton's official technical manual MN050005EN (4th edition, August 2025), providing a comprehensive analysis of the technical characteristics, system architecture, installation requirements, communication configuration, and programming environment of the XControl series PLC.

Chapter 1 Product Series and System Overview

1.1 Product positioning

The XControl series modular PLC is divided into three sub series based on performance and application complexity:

Typical applications of series model positioning

XC-104 XC-104-C10-000 Basic Controller Small Machine Control, System Level Network Connection

XC-204 XC-204-C10-000

XC-204-C11-003

XC-204-C20-002

XC-204-C21-001 Standard Controller Standard Automation Task, Industrial Ethernet Integration

XC-303 XC-303-C11-000

XC-303-C21-001

XC-303-C32-002 High Performance Controller Complex Automation Solution with Multiple Network Connections

1.2 System Architecture

The core components of XControl PLC include:

CPU unit: integrated processor, memory, and real-time clock

Power module: supplies power to the processor unit and system bus

Local I/O: Digital input/output (XC-204 and XC-303)

Communication interfaces: Ethernet, CAN, RS485, USB, etc

Expansion interface: Connect XN300 series I/O modules through the system bus

<center>Figure 1: Schematic diagram of XControl system architecture</center>

1.3 XN300 I/O System

XControl PLC can expand the XN300 series ultra compact modular I/O system through the system bus. XN300 offers a wide selection of I/O modules:

Power distribution and supply module

Digital and analog I/O modules

Technical functional modules (such as weighing module, motor drive module)

The XC-104 can expand up to 6 XN300 modules, the XC-204 can expand up to 16 modules, and the XC-303 can expand up to 32 modules.

Chapter 2 Technical Specifications and Performance Parameters

2.1 Processor and Memory

Parameter XC-104 XC-204 XC-303

Processor NXP CORTEX A7 single core 800MHz+CORTEX M4 200MHz NXP CORTEX A7 dual core 1GHz+CORTEX M4 200MHz Freescale CORTEX A7 dual core 960MHz

Program memory eMMC-FLAS: 2GB eMMC-FLAS: 2GB QSPI-FLAS: 128MB

Cache memory DDR3L-RAM: 256MB DDR-RAM: 512MB DDR-RAM: 512MB

Retention data 4kB 32kB 96kB

Real time clock accuracy ± 3 seconds/day @ 25 ° C ± 3 seconds/day @ 25 ° C ± 3 seconds/day @ 25 ° C

RTC power down for 10 days, 10 days, 10 days

2.2 Environmental conditions

Parameter XC-104 XC-204 XC-303

Working temperature -20...+60 ° C -20...+60 ° C -20...+55 ° C

Storage temperature -25...+70 ° C -25...+70 ° C -40...+80 ° C

Relative humidity 5... 95% (no condensation) 5... 95% (no condensation) 5... 95% (no condensation)

Protection level IP20 IP20 IP20

Vibration tolerance 5-8.4Hz ± 3.5mm

8.4-150Hz ±1.0g 5-8.4Hz ±3.5mm

8.4-150Hz ±1.0g 5-8.4Hz ±3.5mm

8.4-150Hz ±1.0g

Impact tolerance 15g/11ms, 18 times 15g/11ms, 18 times 15g/11ms, 9 times

2.3 Mechanical dimensions

XC-303 series

Dimensions (height x depth x width): 104.7 x 72 x 50 mm (4.12 x 2.83 x 1.97 inches)

Width: 4 modular units

Weight: Approximately 0.3 kg

Installation: IEC EN 60715 35mm DIN rail

Installation direction: Vertical

XC-104/204 series

Dimensions (height x depth x width): 104.7 x 72 x 23 mm (4.12 x 2.83 x 0.91 inches)

Width: 2 modular units

Weight: Approximately 0.11 kg

Installation: IEC EN 60715 35mm DIN rail

Installation direction: Vertical, XC-204 can be installed horizontally and vertically

Chapter 3 Interface and Communication

3.1 Overview of Communication Interfaces

Model Ethernet CAN RS485 USB Local I/O

XC-104-C10-000 1×10/100M - - USB Host -

XC-204-C10-000 2×10/100M - - USB Host -

XC-204-C11-003 2×10/100M CAN1 RS485 USB Host 2×DI/DO

XC-204-C20-002 2×10/100M - RS485 USB Host 2×DI/DO

XC-204-C21-001 2×10/100M CAN1 - USB Host 2×DI/DO

XC-303-C11-000 1×10/100M CAN2 - USB Host 4×DI/DO

XC-303-C21-001 2×10/100M CAN1 RS485 USB Host 4×DI/DO

XC-303-C32-002 3×10/100/1000M CAN1+CAN2 RS485 USB Host 4×DI/DO

3.2 Ethernet interface

Interface characteristics

Connector: RJ45

Transmission rate: 10/100 Mbit/s (some models support 1000 Mbit/s)

Function: Programming debugging, operating system updates, automation protocol communication

Default IP address:

XC-303: eth0 192.168.119.248, eth1 192.168.137.248, eth2 192.168.138.248

XC-204: 192.168.119.204

XC-104: 192.168.119.104

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Pin allocation

Pin 10/100 Mbit 1000 Mbit

1 Tx+ Tx+_D1

2 Tx- Tx-_D1