Introducing the powerful and flexible S7-1200 1

1.1 Introducing the S7-1200 PLC

The S7-1200 controller provides the flexibility and power to control a wide variety of devices
in support of your automation needs. The compact design, flexible configuration, and
powerful instruction set combine to make the S7-1200 a perfect solution for controlling a
wide variety of applications.
The CPU combines a microprocessor, an integrated power supply, input and output circuits,
built-in PROFINET, high-speed motion control I/O, and on-board analog inputs in a compact
housing to create a powerful controller. After you download your program, the CPU contains
the logic required to monitor and control the devices in your application. The CPU monitors
the inputs and changes the outputs according to the logic of your user program, which can
include Boolean logic, counting, timing, complex math operations, and communications with
other intelligent devices.
The CPU provides a PROFINET port for communication over a PROFINET network.
Additional modules are available for communicating over PROFIBUS, GPRS, RS485,
RS232, IEC, DNP3, and WDC networks.

① Power connector
② Memory card slot under top
door
③ Removable user wiring con-
nectors (behind the doors)
④ Status LEDs for the on-
board I/O
⑤ PROFINET connector (on
the bottom of the CPU)

Several security features help protect access to both the CPU and the control program:
● Every CPU provides password protection (Page 87) that allows you to configure access
to the CPU functions.
● You can use "know-how protection" (Page 89) to hide the code within a specific block.
● You can use copy protection (Page 90) to bind your program to a specific memory card or
CPU.

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Introducing the powerful and flexible S7-1200
1.1 Introducing the S7-1200 PLC

Table 1- 1 Comparing the CPU models

Feature CPU 1211C CPU 1212C CPU 1214C CPU 1215C CPU 1217C
Physical size (mm) 90 x 100 x 75 110 x 100 x 75 130 x 100 x 75 150 x 100 x 75
User memory Work 50 Kbytes 75 Kbytes 100 Kbytes 125 Kbytes 150 Kbytes
Load 1 Mbyte 4 Mbytes
Retentive 10 Kbytes
Local on-board I/O Digital 6 inputs/4 out- 8 inputs/6 out- 14 inputs/10 output
puts puts
Analog 2 inputs 2 inputs/2 output
Process image size Inputs (I) 1024 bytes
Outputs (Q) 1024 bytes
Bit memory (M) 4096 bytes 8192 bytes
Signal module (SM) expansion None 2 8
Signal board (SB), Battery board 1
(BB), or communication board
(CB)
Communication module (CM) 3
(left-side expansion)
High-speed coun- Total Up to 6 configured to use any built-in or SB inputs
ters 1 MHz - Ib.2 to Ib.5
100/180 Ia.0 to Ia.5
kHz
30/120 kHz -- Ia.6 to Ia.7 Ia.6 to Ib.5 Ia.6 to Ib.1
200 kHz3
Pulse outputs2 Total Up to 4 configured to use any built-in or SB outputs
1 MHz -- Qa.0 to Qa.3
100 kHz Qa.0 to Qa.3 Qa.4 to Qb.1
20 kHz -- Qa.4 to Qa.5 Qa.4 to Qb. --
Memory card SIMATIC Memory card (optional)
Real time clock retention time 20 days, typ./12 day min. at 40 degrees C (maintenance-free Super Capacitor)
PROFINET 1 2
Ethernet communication port
Real math execution speed 2.3 μs/instruction
Boolean execution speed 0.08 μs/instruction
1 The slower speed is applicable when the HSC is configured for quadrature mode of operation.
2 For CPU models with relay outputs, you must install a digital signal (SB) to use the pulse outputs.
3 Up to 200 kHz are available with the SB 1221 DI x 24 VDC 200 kHz and SB 1221 DI 4 x 5 VDC 200 kHz.

The different CPU models provide a diversity of features and capabilities that help you create
effective solutions for your varied applications. For detailed information about a specific
CPU, see the technical specifications (Page 361).

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 Introducing the powerful and flexible S7-1200
1.1 Introducing the S7-1200 PLC

Table 1- 2 Blocks, timers, and counters supported by S7-1200

Element Description
Blocks Type OB, FB, FC, DB
Size 50 Kbytes (CPU 1211C)
75 Kbytes (CPU 1212C)
100 Kbytes (CPU 1214C)
125 Kbytes (CPU 1215C)
150 Kbytes (CPU 1217C)
Quantity Up to 1024 blocks total (OBs + FBs + FCs + DBs)
Nesting depth 16 from the program cycle or startup OB;
6 from any interrupt event OB
Monitoring Status of 2 code blocks can be monitored simultaneously
OBs Program cycle Multiple
Startup Multiple
Time-delay interrupts 4 (1 per event)
Cyclic interrupts 4 (1 per event)
Hardware interrupts 50 (1 per event)
Time error interrupts 1
Diagnostic error interrupts 1
Pull or plug of modules 1
Rack or station failure 1
Time of day Multiple
Status 1
Update 1
Profile 1
Timers Type IEC
Quantity Limited only by memory size
Storage Structure in DB, 16 bytes per timer
Counters Type IEC
Quantity Limited only by memory size
Storage Structure in DB, size dependent upon count type
• SInt, USInt: 3 bytes
• Int, UInt: 6 bytes
• DInt, UDInt: 12 bytes

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