Learning Siemens

Like most Controls Engineers, I'm primarily an Allen-Bradley guy. I've dabbled in GE and Mitsubishi, but the programming software seems less developed than Rockwell's. I haven't seen anything that really beats Rockwell's ladder editor.

But, I hear good things about Siemens and since that's the major player outside the U.S., I'm curious as to what I need to get to know this platform. I do have a few questions.

Rockwell/AB has a few different PLC lines for different applications. So my first question is, what would be the Siemens equivalents to Micrologix, Compact Logix, and Control Logix be?

Which programming software goes with what? Is it one application for everything or is it like A-B where you have RSLogix 500, Studio 5000, CCW, etc.

I know that with Siemens you typically use Profibus and Profinet instead of DF1 and Ethernet/IP. How do these compared in setup? Is Profibus/Profinet easier? Harder?

Hello elityy;

There are many, many websites that compare Siemens and Rockwell controllers, most of the critics you can find there pull towards the system they are familiar with and decry the other because of the unfamiliarity.

The simplest way for you to begint with a new system is to start with some basic training, which Siemens provides with different media, and working with the programming tools provided.

First, the newest software available in Siemens world is TIA Portal, now at v15.1. You can download a demo (trial license) version in the following link. TIA Portal is built on 2 seperate platforms, Step 7 to program the PLCs and WinCC to program the HMI panels/SCADA systems:

SIMATIC STEP 7 and WinCC V15.1 TRIAL Download

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/us/en/view/109761045

As far as project level is concerned, MicroLogix nd CompactLogix should correspond to the power of the S7-1200 family of processors, and the ControlLogix should be equivalent to the S7-1500 family.S7-300 and S7-400 PLCs are still in use and very powerful, but they will eventually be replaced by the S7-1x00 controllers.

https://www.automation.siemens.com/salesmaterial-as/brochure/en/brochure_simatic-controller_overview_en.pdf

And to top off this first introduction, here are the promised tutorials:

Siemens SCE tutorials, S7-1200

https://www.automation.siemens.com/mcms/sce/en/advanced_training/training_material/TIA-Portal-Module/Pages/Default.aspx

The TIA Portal Tutorial Center (videos)

https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/106656707

Finally  the forum gives you access to many, many manuals, FAQs, Application examples, that you can locate using the search box at the right of this pâge. Use search terms such as TIA POrtal, Step 7 v15, S7-1200... and use the different selections in the Search area to limit thee search range.

Hope this helps,

Daniel Chartier

OT.  I'm looking around and nobody is primarily an AB guy... 

elityy

Like most Controls Engineers, I'm primarily an Allen-Bradley guy.

Hi elityy,

as before, anything said is true to an extend. Many sites compare especially Rockwell vs. Siemens and prefer one over the other. Those two are put into the same range as these two vendors have a portfolio which pretty much matches the other.

My background is clearly Siemens, but I have some intense contacts with Rockwell. To answer your questions straight forward, I will try to keep personal opinions out of the scope as far as possible.

Rockwell Micro800's --> Siemens S7-200
Rockwell MicroLogix --> Siemens S7-1200/ S7-300 (generation wise the MLC is more like an S7-300)
Rockwell CompactLogix --> Siemens S7-1500
Rockwell ControlLogix --> Siemens S7-1500/ S7-400

RSLogix 5 --> STEP5
RSLogix 500 --> STEP7 Classic
RSLogix 5000/ Studio 5000 --> TIA Portal STEP 7

Rockwells Ladder Editior has some benefits, which are clearly unmatched (hands down). Siemens TIA Portal (as the framework) has better integration of the different tools, which allow an easier exchange of engineering data between them. 

Now my personal opinion. I think comparable as of today is most likely the Studio 5000 (with ControlLogix) to our TIA Portal STEP7 (with S7-1500).

Learning the ropes can be done with a basic class. They are being offered by some of our solution partners in the US (DMC; Prism Systems) or most of our distributors in your particular region (or nation wide). There are a couple books in stores, which could guide you.

I am happy to help and thereforehope it was helpful.