- High Performance: Powerful CPUs for demanding, data-intensive tasks, with multicomputing for simultaneous operation of multiple CPUs in one rack.
- Modular & Scalable: Rack-based system with a powerful backplane bus, allowing easy expansion with various modules (I/O, communication) as needs grow.
- Integrated Communication: Onboard support for PROFIBUS DP, PROFINET, and MPI, enabling high-speed data exchange and distributed I/O (ET 200).
- Redundancy & Safety: Specialized versions like S7-400H (High Availability) and S7-400F/FH (Fail-Safe) offer fault tolerance for critical applications.
- Advanced Diagnostics: Built-in features for identifying faults, with extensive diagnostic capabilities for complex systems.
- TIA Portal Integration: Programmed and configured efficiently using Siemens’ SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) software.
- Process Industry Focus: Designed specifically for system solutions in manufacturing and process automation, handling large data volumes.
SIMATIC S7-400
Part of the SIMATIC process controller series, the S7-400 has been designed for system solutions in the fields of manufacturing and process automation. This process controller is ideal for data-intensive tasks that are especially typical for the process industry. S7-400 and the innovated S7-410 product line will stay the hardware backbone of the PCS 7 control system.
- Process Automation: Chemical plants, water/wastewater, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, power generation.
- Manufacturing: Automotive assembly, consumer goods, electronics, packaging machinery, steel industry.
- Logistics & Material Handling: Warehousing, automated storage, conveyor systems, sorting.
- Complex Control Systems: Large-scale distributed control, high-speed monitoring, data-intensive tasks.
- Building Management: Advanced systems for large buildings.
- Design: Modular, fan-free, rack-mounted design.
- Performance: High-speed instruction execution and deterministic response times suitable for demanding tasks and short machine cycle times.
- Memory: Varies by CPU. For example, a CPU 414-3 PN/DP has 2.8 MB of work memory (1.4 MB code, 1.4 MB data), while a CPU 417-4 has 32 MB (16 MB code, 16 MB data). Memory is expandable via a SIMATIC Memory Card.
- Interfaces/Communication: Multiple options for networking and communication are integrated into the CPUs, including:
- MPI/PROFIBUS DP: Integrated into all CPUs, functioning as a DP master (up to 125 slaves) with data transfer rates up to 12 Mbps.
- Ethernet/PROFINET: Available on specific CPU types (PN/DP variants) for connections to distributed I/O systems or communication with other controllers.
- Communication Processors (CPs): Additional modules are available for Industrial Ethernet and powerful point-to-point connections (e.g., RS 232C, RS 485).
- Expandability: Supports up to 21 expansion units via interface modules (IMs), allowing for extensive configurations and integration of S5 modules.
- Redundancy (H-models): Specific S7-400H models offer high-availability automation systems with redundant CPU and I/O configurations for fail-safe applications, minimizing downtime in critical industries.
- Operating Conditions: Designed for industrial use with an ambient temperature range of 0 to 60 °C and IP20 degree of protection. Some SIPLUS versions are available for harsher environments (e.g., extended temperature range of -25 to +60°C).
- Programming: Configured and programmed using the SIMATIC Engineering Tools, primarily the STEP 7 software package.
