What program should I buy?

Hi All,

I am looking for a bit of knowledge. I used to program S5 up to about 20 years ago. In the meanwhile, a couple of jobs later, I would like to pick programming up again, but this time using S7. While browsing around I noticed that a lot has changed :-s 

I have a couple of S7-300's and Simatic TP 170A panels here at work which I would like to use/start with.

But now the confusion kicks in. What software do I need? Should I buy Step 7 V5.5 and winCC flexible or can I buy Step 7 TIA Portal Professional and do everything with one package? ( Can TIA even work with the TP170A?)

Thanks,

Benjamin

William_B

Stekelb1

Hi All,

I am looking for a bit of knowledge. I used to program S5 up to about 20 years ago. In the meanwhile, a couple of jobs later, I would like to pick programming up again, but this time using S7. While browsing around I noticed that a lot has changed :-s 

I have a couple of S7-300's and Simatic TP 170A panels here at work which I would like to use/start with.

But now the confusion kicks in. What software do I need? Should I buy Step 7 V5.5 and winCC flexible or can I buy Step 7 TIA Portal Professional and do everything with one package? ( Can TIA even work with the TP170A?)

Thanks,

Benjamin

Welcome Benjamin.

I wish I could tell you to go with the TIA Portal software, but you are not buying current hardware; you need something for the older hardware. Do not get TIA Portal for your hardware.

Step7 under TIA Portal only handle the newest S7-300 and S7-400, but all S7-1200 and S7-1500. As you know the Step7 BASIC license can only handle the S7-1200.

Step7 V5.5 can handle all S7-300 and S7-400 hardware. You are in good hands with Step7 V5.5 when working with the S7-300.

WinCC under TIA Portal is the same type of issue.. only the newest hardware. There also is different licensing schemes. I have the BASIC license and can only program the KTP Basic and KP Basic panels.

Return if you have more queries.
w

 Hi William, thanks a lot for your prompt and detailed answer. V5.5 and WinCC flexible it is then!

Thanks again, I have  the feeling I will have to return :-) 

Cheers,

Benjamin

Hello Benjamin;

When you start working with Step 7 v5.5 and WinCC Flexible you will have access to a great deal of documentation on the Siemens Support site. You can request the manuals, application examples, module data... using the Site Explorer search box at the right of this page. I strongly recommend you get familiar with the search filters you can use to locate specific types of documents from the search results, if you do not want to be swamped with suggestions.

There are many here who will be happy to help you out in your starting programs. Here for example is a recent discussion that will show you the type of hints that could be quite helpful getting you started with Step 7 v5.x:

https://support.industry.siemens.com/tf/ww/en/posts/153146/

And to get you on your way properly with WinCC Flexible, this thread could prove interesting:

Collection of video tutorials on WinCC flexible Advanced

https://support.industry.siemens.com/tf/ww/en/posts/71072/

Hope this helps,

Daniel Chartier

Hello Stekelb1,

After the beautiful explanation of our friend William and dChartier and in the meantime if you want to "play" a little with STEP7 Lite download the free Lite version of STEP 7, it has some restrictions no (CP,FM,Profibus), but to start with simple network ....

STEP 7 Lite V3.0 incl. SP4 Available for Downloading - ID ... - Siemens

Review of Siemens SIMATIC Step 7 Lite Programming Software ...

William_B

Ste39

Hello Stekelb1,

After the beautiful explanation of our friend William and dChartier and in the meantime if you want to "play" a little with STEP7 Lite download the free Lite version of STEP 7, it has some restrictions no (CP,FM,Profibus), but to start with simple network ....

Ste39 - Indeed a good suggestion.
Do note however:
Which version of STEP 7 Lite is compatible with which version of MS Windows...

 Hello William,

 If our friend uses S5 either Win2000 or WinXP have it 

Thanks for the information everybody!

I will start-off with the Lite version, and promote to V5.5 whenever it finally arrives.

One final question; is it possible to open a project which was created with Lite with V5.5?

Cheers and thanks!

Benjamin