Stay Competitive by Maximizing Machine Availability with SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 & ET 200SP

In today’s fast-moving manufacturing environment, downtime is a cost you can’t afford. Whether you’re a machine builder, OEM, or plant manager, every second your production line is down means lost output, lost revenue, and an open door for your competitors to gain an edge.

Maximizing machine availability isn’t optional—it’s a strategic advantage. To compete in 2025 and beyond, you need faster diagnostics, smarter controls, and more resilient systems. Siemens delivers exactly that with the SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 controller and the ET 200SP e-Starter, two cutting-edge solutions built to eliminate costly downtime.

Let’s explore how these solutions can help you protect uptime and boost your competitive edge.

⚙️ Faster Fault Diagnosis with SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 and Integrated NFC

It’s estimated that 5% to 20% of factory productivity is lost to unplanned downtime—often due to delays in fault detection or the time-consuming process of physically connecting diagnostic tools to machines.

The new SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 controller addresses this challenge with an industry-first feature: built-in NFC (Near Field Communication). This enables maintenance teams to instantly access diagnostic data—wirelessly.

With most modern smartphones, technicians can simply scan the controller to view real-time, plain-text diagnostics, no laptop or extra hardware needed. Human-readable alerts and system messages display right on the phone, streamlining fault resolution and reducing guesswork. NFC is enabled in seconds via a checkbox in the TIA Portal.

This feature is especially valuable in tight cabinet spaces or across large plant floors, where mobility and speed are key.

Use Case: A food processing plant upgraded to the S7-1200 G2 across multiple lines. With NFC-enabled diagnostics, their team cut troubleshooting time by over 40%, cutting unplanned downtime nearly in half.

🔌 Reliable Short-Circuit Protection with the ET 200SP e-Starter

Short circuits aren’t just technical problems—they’re productivity killers. A sudden fault can lead to expensive shutdowns, damaged systems, and lengthy recovery times if physical replacement is required.

The SIMATIC ET 200SP e-Starter changes that. This fully electronic motor starter offers advanced short-circuit protection, keeping your system running even when electrical faults strike.

Once the cause of the fault is resolved, the e-Starter can be restarted instantly—no hardware replacement needed. With seamless TIA Portal integration, diagnostics are simple and fast. It also pairs directly with existing SIMATIC motor starters, making upgrades and retrofits effortless.

Use Case: An automotive OEM with 24/7 operations adopted the e-Starter on key lines. After a short-circuit event on a welding cell, they were back online in under 3 minutes, preventing thousands in production losses.

🧠 Unified Engineering with TIA Portal

Both the SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 and ET 200SP product families are fully integrated into Siemens’ TIA Portal—a centralized engineering platform for programming, configuring, and diagnosing your automation system.

By working in a single software environment, your team can:

• Configure hardware and networks faster

• Simplify firmware updates and version control

• Reduce human error during commissioning and changeovers

Whether you’re working with standalone machines or distributed systems, TIA Portal gives you a streamlined, scalable approach to automation design.

📦 SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 & ET 200SP Part Numbers to Know

Here are key part numbers for quick reference:

SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 Highlights

• CPU 1212C AC/DC/RLY: 6ES7212-1BG50-0XB0

• DI SB Module (8DI): 6ES7221-3BF50-0XB0

• AI SB Module (4AI): 6ES7231-4HD50-0XB0

ET 200SP e-Starter & Core Modules

• e-Starter (varies by motor spec – ask us for guidance)

• Interface Module PN ST: 6ES7155-6AU00-0BN0

• Redundancy Interface Module: 6ES7155-6BU00-0CN0

• High-Speed Interface Module: 6ES7155-6BA00-0CN0

Need help building a full configuration? Our automation experts are ready to assist with I/O needs, module compatibility, and panel integration.

🚀 Future-Proof Your Machine Availability Strategy

As smart manufacturing evolves, companies that invest in reliability and rapid recovery will lead the industry. Solutions like the S7-1200 G2 and ET 200SP e-Starter don’t just solve problems—they prevent them.

These tools empower your team to:

• ✅ Instantly respond to faults

• ✅ Minimize costly downtime

• ✅ Simplify diagnostics with wireless and integrated tools

• ✅ Protect critical assets like motors, drives, and CPUs

• ✅ Scale operations with confidence

➡️ Ready to Eliminate Unplanned Downtime?

Industrial Automation Co. is your trusted source for Siemens automation. We offer in-stock availability, expert support, and fast shipping to keep your business moving.

👉 Browse SIMATIC S7-1200 G2 Controllers
👉 Explore ET 200SP Motor Starter & Interface Modules
👉 Contact Us for Technical Help or Quotes