How can you use the memory card for the S7-1200 CPU?

1. Introduction of S7-1200 memory card

The memory card used by S7-1200CPU is SD card that may store user's project files, and it has the following 3 functions:

• As the loading storage area of CPU, the memory card may store user's project files, and CPU has no project files and it cannot operate without memory card.
• On the condition that programming unit exists, the memory card works as the medium to deliver project files to multiple S7-1200 PLCs. When user forgets the password, the memory card may eliminate the project files and password inside CPU.
• 24M card can be used to update the firmware version of S7-1200 CPU.

Fig. 1: S7-1200 memory card

How to insert memory card:
When opening the upper baffle of the CPU downward, user may see a MC card slot at the top right corner. Insert the memory card with the notch facing upward, as shown in the Fig. below:

Fig. 2: Insert memory card

Notes

• Memory card is optional for S7-1200 CPU.

• Inserting the memory card into a CPU in running state may cause shutdown of the CPU.

• S7-1200 CPU only supports the memory cards that have been preformatted by Siemens  manufacturer, whose order numbers are shown in the table below:

• If SIMATIC memory card is reformatted by Windows formatting program, CPU will not be able to use this reformatted memory card.

• At present, S7-1200 still cannot help the memory card realize such advanced functions as recipe and data archiving.
  
  

2. Operating mode of memory card

The memory card has 2 operating modes: 　

• Program card: the memory works as the loading storage area of S7-1200 CPU, and all programs and data are stored in it. The storage area integrated in the CPU has no project files, so the memory card shall not be pulled out while the equipment is in running.
• Transmission card: it is used to transmit project from memory card to CPU, and the memory card must be pulled out after transmission completes. CPU may operate independently of the memory card.

Modifying operating mode of memory card:
In the project view of STEP7 Basic software, click "Project View“--->"SIMATIC Card Reader" --->Your card reader model" at the left side, as shown in the Fig. below:

Fig. 3: Project View

Right-lick the drive letter (which is F: here) of the memory card, and select "Properties" to open the following window:

Fig. 4: MC properties

Select the required operating mode in "Card type", and click "OK" to complete setting.

3. Different modes of program card

Advantage: it is not necessary to re-download the project files when replacing CPU.

3.1 Upload user project files into memory card

• Step 1: set memory card to "Programming" mode in the method above. It is suggested that user delete all files in the memory card before this operation.
• Step 2: set startup status of CPU. In "Project tree", right-click CPU and select "Properties", and in "Properties" window click "Startup". Here we must select "Warm restart-RUN".

Fig. 5: Startup

• Step 3: power off CPU
• Step 4: insert memory card into CPU card slot
• Step 5: power on CPU
• Step 6: in STEP7 Basic, click Download to download all project files into the memory card. At this moment, the project files (including user program, hardware configuration and forced value) are downloaded into the memory card instead of the storage area integrated inside CPU.

After completing the steps above, CPU may operate properly with card. If the memory card is pulled out at this moment, CPU will report an error, and "ERROR" indicator will be flickering red.

3.2 Frequently asked questions

FAQ 1
Why does "MAINT" lamp of CPU flicker after the memory card is inserted? and why is an error prompt “The download of the hardware configuration failed (0050 -133 2 2458)”reported when using STEP 7 Basic to download?
Answer
Please delete all files in the memory card, reuse STEP7 Basic software to set the memory card to "Programming" mode, and then repeat the above-stated steps. Please check the toggle switch on the memory card at the same time whether the memory card is in write-protect mode.

FAQ2
Why does CPU enter stop status instead of running status when it is powered on after a power interruption?
Answer
Because CPU's startup mode is not "Warm restart-RUN". Please refer to "Step 2" above.

4. Use transmission card mode

Advantage: On the condition that programming unit exists, the transmission card can copy project files to multiple S7-1200 PLCs.

4.1 Loading project into memory card in transmission mode

• Step 1: set memory card to "Transfer" mode in the method above. It is suggested that user delete all files in the memory card before this operation.
• Step 2: set startup status of CPU. In "Project tree", right-click CPU and select "Properties", and in "Properties" window click "Startup". Here we must select "Warm restart-RUN".
• Step 3: drag PLC equipment to memory card drive directly

Fig. 6: Drag

User may also change a ready-made "program card" into "transmission card" directly.

4.2 Copy project from memory card to S7-1200PLC

• Step 1: power off CPU
• Step 2: insert the card into CPU card slot
• Step 3: power on CPU, and user may seen "MAINT" lamp of CPU flickering yellow.
• Step 4: power off CPU, and pull out the memory card
• Step 5: power on CPU

FAQ
Why does CPU enter stop status instead of running status when it is powered on after a power interruption?
Answer

1. Because CPU's startup mode is not "Warm restart-RUN". Please refer to "Step 2" above.
2. Check Step 3. The PLC project instead of program block or other project contents must be pulled to the memory card drive. The project files downloaded into the memory card may be incomplete, for example, it is lack of hardware configuration, etc.
   
   

5. Use memory card to delete password

If customer forgets the password of S7-1200 that was set before and the program and password inside S7-1200 cannot be deleted through "Reset to factory defaults", memory card will become the only way to delete them. The detailed steps are shown as below:

1. Power off S7-1200 equipment
2. Insert a memory card into S7-1200CPU. The program in the memory card shall not have password protection.
3. Power on S7-1200 equipment

After S7-1200CPU is powered on, the program inside the memory card may be copied to the internal FLASH register to execute password elimination operation.
Customer may insert a brand-new or blank memory card into S7-1200CPU in the same way. After the equipment is powered on, S7-1200CPU may transfer the program in the storage area into the memory card. After pulling out the memory card, user's program will not exist in S7-1200CPU any more, and the password will be eliminated. The contents inside the memory card may be eliminated through card reader.

Note: do not format the memory card.

6. Use 24M memory card to update the firmware version of S7-1200CPU

The firmware version of S7-1200 may be downloaded from official website of Siemens: http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/view/en. User may use the search engine at top right of Siemens website to search for "S7-1200 firmware" in the item "Download".

Notes

• The firmware of S7-1200CPU in different order number has different file, and its download address is also different. User shall check the product order number before downloading and updating the firmware.
• 2M memory card cannot be used in CPU firmware updating.
• Before firmware is updated, the project files (program block and hardware configuration, etc.) stored in CPU is not impacted and cannot be eliminated.

• If the order number in firmware file inside the memory card is not consistent to actual order number of the CPU, the original firmware version of the CPU will not be changed even if the following steps are executed.

The firmware of CPU is updated in the following steps

1. Use computer to delete the contents inside the memory card through card reader.
   Note
   Do not format the memory card!
2. Download updated firmware file from official website of Siemens. After downloading and decompressing it, user may obtain a file“S7_JOB.SYS” and a folder “FWUOPDATE.S7S”.
3. Copy the file “S7_JOB.SYS” and the folder “FWUOPDATE.S7S” into the memory card.
4. Insert the memory card into CPU1200 card slot. CPU will stop at this moment, and "MINIT" indicator will flicker.
5. Power on the CPU after a power interruption. If the "RUN/STOP" indicator of the CPU flickers in red and green alternatively, it shows that the firmware is being updated. If "RUN/STOP" indicator is on and "MAINT" indicator flickers, it shows that updating has completed.
6. Pull out the memory card.
7. Power off and power on the CPU another time

User may check the current firmware version online in "STEP 7 Basic software---> online & diagnostics--->Diagnostics--->General".

7. Further Information

can be found at the links below:

• How do you configure data blocks with the "Only store in load memory" attribute for the S7-1200/S7-1500?
• Using Recipe Functions for persistent Data with SIMATIC S7-1200 and S7-1500
  
• Process Data Acquisition and Monitoring with the SIMATIC S7-1200 / S7-1500 (Data Logging)
  
• Quality Assurance by means of Weighing, Controlling and Logging with the SIMATIC S7-1200 (Set 6)
  
• How do you estimate the memory requirements of your project in the load memory of a SIMATIC S7-1200/S7-1500?
  
• How can you delete the IP address and reset your S7-1200 to factory settings using the SIMATIC MC memory card?