SELECTION COMPARISON
Overview
S7-1200 and S7-1500 both belong to the current product family of Siemens SIMATIC and use the same TIA Portal engineering environment, but their application focus is different: S7-1200 is oriented to small automation and stand-alone equipment, and S7-1500 is oriented to medium and large control systems and occasions that require performance.
The selection judgment mainly depends on three points: I/O point scale, scanning performance requirements, and whether complex communication or process functions are required.
reference table
| Comparison point | S7-1200 | S7-1500 |
|---|---|---|
| positioning | Small controller, stand-alone and small equipment | Medium and large controllers, production line and system level |
| typical scale | Small I/O, single machine or small workstation | Larger I/O points, multiple stations or production lines |
| construction | Compact all-in-one CPU + signal module | Modular rack structure |
| communications | Mainly PROFINET | PROFINET, some models with PROFIBUS DP |
| performance | Meet conventional logic control | Greater scanning speed and processing power |
| engineering environment | TIA Portal | TIA Portal |
| key selection criteria | points, cost, volume | Performance, scalability, communications and process requirements |
How to Decide
- Statistics of actual I/O points and reserved amount - the points are not large and future expansion is limited, S7-1200 is enough.
- Determine the control complexity - only use S7-1200 for sequential logic and simple interlocking; if it involves a large amount of calculations, multi-axis coordination or complex processes, choose S7-1500.
- Communication requirements - When you need to connect to PROFIBUS DP field devices, you should choose the S7-1500 model with DP port.
- Whether you need deep integration with upper-level systems - if so, S7-1500 is more comfortable.
- Cost and volume - When single-machine equipment is installed in batches, the S7-1200 has advantages in cost and installation space.
Description of the G1 and G2 generations of S7-1200
There are two generations of S7-1200: the earlier G1 (the CPU ordering code contains the "G40" field) and the current G2 (the corresponding field in the CPU ordering code is changed to "H50").
For example, the G2 model corresponding to the classic model 6ES7214-1AG40-0XB0 (G1, DC/DC/DC) is 6ES7214-1AH50-0XB0.
The ordering codes of CPUs and signal modules of the two generations are different, and the modules cannot be mixed across generations.
New projects should directly use G2; maintenance of existing equipment requires purchasing spare parts based on the original generation.
Compared with G1, G2 has improved in processing speed, storage capacity, size and motion control functions.
If you only have the old ordering code, you can send it to us to check the current status and the corresponding successor model. For details, see the S7-1200 G1 → G2 replacement page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can S7-1200 programs be directly transplanted to S7-1500?
Both are programmed in the TIA Portal, and the basic logic can be migrated, but the hardware configuration, address allocation and some instructions need to be adjusted and cannot be run directly by copying.
Can I still buy spare parts for the S7-1200 G1 after it is discontinued?
Stock spare parts will remain available for some time, but migration to G2 should be evaluated early. Availability of specific models can be sent to us for confirmation.
Which S7-300 should I upgrade to?
The official migration direction is S7-1500. It should be noted that the program needs to be transplanted, and the hardware and wiring must be re-planned. It is not a simple replacement of hardware.
How to confirm which CPU model is required?
It is necessary to provide the number of I/O points, communications interface requirements (PROFINET / PROFIBUS), and whether process functions are required. You can send us your requirements and we will assist in product selection and give you the complete ordering code.
Need help confirming a part number or application?
Send the complete part number, BOM, nameplate or product photos. Documents and images can be shared through WhatsApp, Telegram or WeChat.
