Superb communication capability and integrated interfaces make the SIMATIC S7-400 process controller ideal for larger tasks such as the coordination of entire systems. The graded range of CPUs enables scalable performance and the capacity for I/O periphery is virtually unlimited. What's more, process controller signal modules can be inserted and removed while the system is live (hot swapping), making it very easy to expand the system or replace modules.

 

There is a graded range of CPUs from the entry-level CPU right up to the high-performance CPU for configuring the controller. All CPUs control large quantity structures; several CPUs can work together in a multicomputing configuration to boost performance. Thanks to their high processing speed and deterministic response times, the CPUs enable short machine cycle times.

 

The different CPUs are distinguished by, for example, work memory, address range, number of connections and execution time. As well as the standard CPUs, there are also two failsafe and three fault-tolerant CPUs available. 

 

 

The S7-400 is especially suitable for data-intensive tasks in the process industry. High processing speeds and deterministic response times guarantee short machine cycle times on high-speed machines in the manufacturing industry. The S7-400 is used preferably to coordinate overall plants and to control lower-level systems. This is guaranteed by the high communication power and the integral interfaces. 

 

Many of the S7-400 components are also available in a SIPLUS version for extreme environmental conditions.