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Siemens S7-1200 vs. S7-1500 Series: Choose the Right PLC with Industrial Automation Co.

by Bryan Hellman
The Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 series are industry-leading PLCs, and Industrial Automation Co. is your trusted partner for sourcing them.


A Midwest manufacturer faced a critical choice: replace a failing PLC to keep their production line running or risk costly downtime. They turned to Industrial Automation Co., a veteran-owned distributor in Raleigh, NC, for a Siemens S7-1500 series PLC with same-day shipping. Within hours, their factory was back online. Whether you’re automating a small machine or a complex factory, selecting the right Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 series PLC is crucial. This guide compares these series, offers expert insights, and shows how Industrial Automation Co. delivers the parts you need—fast.

Why Trust Industrial Automation Co. for Siemens PLCs?

At Industrial Automation Co., our mission is to keep factories running with high-quality automation solutions, including the Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 series. With same-day shipping, a 24-month warranty, and U.S.-based support, we’re your partner for minimizing downtime. Whether you need new, refurbished, or repaired PLCs, our advanced analytics ensure we stock the right parts, delivered when you need them.

Siemens S7-1200 vs. S7-1500 Series: Key Differences

The Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 series are cornerstones of the SIMATIC S7 family, designed for reliability in industrial automation. The S7-1200 series is compact and cost-effective for small to medium tasks, while the S7-1500 series offers high performance for complex systems. Here’s how they compare:

Feature S7-1200 Series S7-1500 Series
Applications Small to medium (e.g., machine control) Medium to large (e.g., robotics, production lines)
Processing Power Cortex-M3, ~0.1 ms/instruction Cortex-M4, ~0.01 ms/instruction
I/O Capacity Up to 128 I/O points Up to 2048 I/O points
Work Memory 150 KB, optional memory card Up to 3 MB, requires memory card
Ethernet Requires CM 1243-5 module (10 Mbit/s) Built-in, 100 Mbit/s with Profinet redundancy
Motion Control Basic (stepper motors) Advanced (VFDs, servos, kinematics)
Safety S7-1200F models (SIL 3, PL e) S7-1500F models (advanced, SIL 3, PL e)
Redundancy Limited Hot standby support
Software TIA Portal, Step 7 Basic (~$500) TIA Portal, Step 7 Professional (~$4000)
Cost ~$300-$500 (e.g., 1214C) ~$1000+ (e.g., 1511)

Technical Specifications for Engineers

For maintenance managers and engineers, here are key details for the Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 series:

  • S7-1200 Series:
    • CPU Example: S7-1200 1214C (150 KB work memory, 0.1 ms/instruction).
    • I/O: Up to 8 modules (e.g., 16 DI/DO, 8 AI).
    • Communication: Profinet via optional CM 1243-5 module; basic OPC UA (V16+).
    • Best For: Standalone systems with limited I/O.
  • S7-1500 Series:
    • CPU Example: S7-1500 1516-3 PN/DP (1.5 MB work memory, 0.01 ms/instruction).
    • I/O: Up to 32 modules; supports ET200MP/SP/PRO form factors.
    • Communication: Dual Profinet ports, OPC UA server, Profibus.
    • Best For: Large systems with IIoT integration.

S7-1500 Series for IIoT

The S7-1500 series’ OPC UA server and T-CPU kinematic functions make it ideal for smart factories. Pair it with Siemens MindSphere via Industrial Automation Co.’s sourcing expertise for real-time analytics.

Programming Examples

See how these PLCs work in TIA Portal:

S7-1200 Series: Ladder Logic (Sensor Control)

Network 1: Activate Pump
IF "Level_Sensor" (I0.1) THEN
    SET "Pump_Motor" (Q0.1);
ELSE
    RESET "Pump_Motor" (Q0.1);
END_IF;

S7-1500 Series: Motion Control (Servo)

FUNCTION_BLOCK "Servo_Position"
VAR
    Axis: TO_Axis;
    Position: LREAL := 200.0; // mm
END_VAR
MC_Power(Axis:=Axis, Enable:=TRUE);
MC_MoveAbsolute(Axis:=Axis, Position:=Position, Velocity:=60.0);
END_FUNCTION_BLOCK

Real-World Applications

  • S7-1200 Series: Food Packaging
    A bakery needed a PLC for a packaging machine with 50 I/O points. Industrial Automation Co. supplied an S7-1200 1214C with same-day shipping, enabling remote monitoring via its web server, reducing downtime.
  • S7-1500 Series: Automotive Line
    A car manufacturer required a PLC for a robotic line with 1000 I/O points. We delivered an S7-1500 1516F, ensuring high-speed servo control and safety compliance, integrated with their IoT platform.

Customer Story: Saving Downtime with Industrial Automation Co.

A Southeast packaging plant faced a failing S7-1200 series PLC, halting production. Their maintenance team contacted Industrial Automation Co. at 10 AM. By noon, we shipped a refurbished S7-1200F with a 24-month warranty. The plant was operational by evening, saving thousands in lost production. Our analytics predicted the part’s demand, ensuring availability when it mattered most.

How to Choose Your Siemens PLC: A Decision Framework

Select the right Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 series PLC with this guide:

  1. Project Scale
    Small tasks (e.g., single machines): S7-1200 series.
    Large systems (e.g., factories): S7-1500 series.
  2. I/O Needs
    Under 128 points? S7-1200 series.
    Over 128 or scalable? S7-1500 series.
  3. Performance
    Basic control? S7-1200 series.
    High-speed or analytics? S7-1500 series.
  4. Connectivity
    Limited networking? S7-1200 series.
    Profinet/IIoT? S7-1500 series.
  5. Safety
    Basic safety? S7-1200F models.
    Advanced safety? S7-1500F models.
  6. Budget
    Cost-conscious? S7-1200 series.
    Long-term value? S7-1500 series.

Why Source Siemens PLCs from Industrial Automation Co.?

We stock new, refurbished, and legacy Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 series PLCs, with 3-day average lead times and free shipping on orders under 50 lbs. Our repair services restore end-of-life PLCs, saving costs. Contact us at sales@iac.us.com or 1-877-727-8757 for a quote. Visit our store to browse parts.

Cost vs. Value

The S7-1200 series (~$400 for a 1214C) with Step 7 Basic (~$500) suits small projects but may limit growth. The S7-1500 series (~$1000 for a 1511) with Step 7 Professional (~$4000) offers scalability. Industrial Automation Co.’s refurbished options and bulk OEM discounts make high-performance PLCs affordable.

FAQs

  • Can S7-1200 series code work on S7-1500 series?
    Yes, most code is portable, but S7-1500-specific instructions (e.g., S7-Graph) require Step 7 Professional.
  • Is the S7-1500 series newer?
    No, both series are actively supported. S7-1200 series is for smaller tasks; S7-1500 series for complex systems.
  • Which is better for learning?
    S7-1200 series is affordable for beginners. Skills transfer to S7-1500 series.
  • Can I mix S7-1200 and S7-1500 series?
    Yes, via Profinet (e.g., S7-1200 as remote I/O).
  • Power consumption?
    S7-1200 series: ~20 W; S7-1500 series: ~40 W.
  • Need a legacy Siemens PLC?
    Industrial Automation Co. specializes in end-of-life parts. Contact us!

Join Our Community

As a veteran-owned business, we’re proud to support communities, like our work with OCJ Kids for foster children. Share your Siemens PLC success stories on LinkedIn with #IndustrialAutomationCo or comment below. Explore our store or watch our TIA Portal tutorials. Get a quote today at Contact Us.

Conclusion

The Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 series are industry-leading PLCs, and Industrial Automation Co. is your trusted partner for sourcing them. Whether you need a compact S7-1200 for a machine or a robust S7-1500 for a factory, our rapid delivery and expert support keep you running. Choose your Siemens PLC with confidence and let us handle the rest.

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