Deep dive · the SIMATIC controller family

The SIMATIC family

TIA Portal is the engineering tool for a range of SIMATIC controllers, from the compact S7-1200 to a software controller on a PC. Compare the hardware options below, then choose a CPU for the machine you need to control.

🧱 SIMATIC S7PROFINET backbone
01 · The whole family

Who's who in the cabinet

The SIMATIC range includes the compact S7-1200, larger CPUs and software controllers. TIA Portal is the shared engineering environment, while PROFINET connects the controller to field I/O. Choose the target controller for the application before compiling and downloading its project.

🧠 S7-1200 is the compact basic controller for smaller machines and simpler control tasks.

🧠 S7-1500 is the advanced mainstream controller. The range extends to high-performance CPUs and includes a fail-safe F variant.

💻 S7-1500S Software Controller runs the S7-1500 runtime on an industrial PC alongside PC applications.

🛰️ ET 200SP CPU & ET 200pro are distributed controllers located near the field equipment instead of in a central controller cabinet.

🕰️ Legacy S7-300 / S7-400 are the previous SIMATIC generation, still widely installed and supported.

🌐 PROFINET + ET 200 provide distributed I/O over PROFINET. The controller acts as the IO-controller and the ET 200 stations act as IO-devices.

02 · Choose your controller

The SIMATIC ladder

Compare the SIMATIC controller options, from compact hardware to a runtime on a PC. Select a model to see which machine requirements it suits.

🪜 choose your controller↑ more performance

Source : siemens.com

03 · New here, or going deep?

Two tracks to the same CPU

Read the left panel for an introduction, or use the right panel for specifications and a selection rule. Both describe the same SIMATIC controller options at different levels of detail.

🌱 New to this? Beginner

The SIMATIC family covers small PLCs and software controllers on a PC. You use TIA Portal to engineer them, choosing a controller that fits the machine and its requirements.

  • Bottom rung S7-1200 for small, simple jobs; mainstream S7-1500 for most machines and lines.
  • Need safety? The F variant runs your normal program and the safety program on one CPU.
  • I/O reaches the field over PROFINET. The controller acts as the IO-controller, communicating with the remote ET 200 stations.

Choose the target: the engineering environment is shared, but the controller must suit the project's requirements. Compare the compact PLC, the larger CPU and the PC-based option before deciding where the control program should run.

⚙️ Go deeper Advanced

Use the controller's performance, safety requirements and physical location to select from the CPU range. TIA Portal provides the engineering environment for these choices.

  • Compact: S7-1200. Advanced mainstream: S7-1500 (scales up to high-performance CPUs).
  • Fail-safe: S7-1500 F runs standard control and the safety program on one controller.
  • PC-based: S7-1500S Software Controller runs the S7-1500 runtime on an industrial PC beside the PC applications.
  • Distributed: ET 200SP CPU is a distributed controller placed near the field equipment instead of in a central controller cabinet.

Selection rule: small/simple → S7-1200. Most machines → S7-1500 (add F for safety). Control must share a PC → S7-1500S. CPU near the I/O → ET 200SP CPU.

🧩
Picture it
The S7-1500S runs the controller runtime on an industrial PC. Choose that arrangement when control needs to share the PC with other applications.
⏱️
Pick the right SIMATIC CPU in 10 seconds
1Small machine, basic logic? → S7-1200.
2Mainstream machine or line (maybe safety)? → S7-1500 (S7-1500 F if you need safety).
3Control must run on a PC alongside apps? → S7-1500S Software Controller.
⚠️
Common mistake
Assuming the F-CPU is "safety only". The S7-1500 F runs your standard program and runs the safety program alongside it. Choosing the fail-safe CPU does not remove its standard-control role.

Source : siemens.com

04 · Check yourself

One quick question

What makes the S7-1500S different from the other controllers?