Open PLC Architecture in 2026: CODESYS, PLCnext, OPC UA & Sourcing
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Open PLC Architecture in 2026: CODESYS, PLCnext, OPC UA & Sourcing
in 2026 is no longer a thought experiment. It is an IEC 61131-3 controller whose firmware,
Detail
runtime, and fieldbus stack come from a vendor-neutral ecosystem , CODESYS 3.5, Phoenix Contact PLCnext, or the
EtherCAT on the same CPU. This refresh of our 2024 primer walks engineers through the design pillars, what
changed since the first wave of open controllers, and how to source the hardware that holds an open-PLC cell
An open PLC is an IEC 61131-3 controller with a vendor-neutral runtime, hardware spec, and fieldbus stack.
In 2026, the leading open ecosystems are CODESYS 3.5, Phoenix Contact PLCnext, Siemens SIMATIC AX, and OpenPLC / Beremiz.
Cybersecurity moved from optional to mandatory , IEC 62443-3-3 SL2 is the 2026 baseline for OT cells.
An open PLC decouples the IEC 61131-3 runtime from a single vendor, giving engineers freedom of language,
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