SINAMICS S120 Double Motor Module 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4 for High-Performance and Versatile Multi-Axis Systems

Siemens SINAMICS S120 Double Motor Module 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4: Power and Precision for Multi-Axis Systems

The Siemens SINAMICS S120 series represents the pinnacle of modular drive technology, engineered for demanding multi-axis applications in industrial automation, robotics, and high-precision machinery. At its core lies the versatile Double Motor Module, enabling the control of two independent axes from a single compact unit, optimizing cabinet space and system cost. The 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4 stands as a significant iteration within this product line, offering enhanced capabilities over its predecessor, the 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA3, while navigating specific considerations regarding interchangeability and lifecycle status.

Technical Specifications & Core Functionality (6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4):
This double motor module operates as a DC-AC inverter, transforming 600V DC link voltage into 3-phase 400V AC output, with a rated current of 5A per axis (2 x 5A) and a peak current capability of 2 x 10A, translating to a rated power of approximately 2 x 2.7 kW per motor. Designed in the standardized booksize format, it features internal air cooling for efficient thermal management within control cabinets. Key interfaces include:

• 2x DC Link Interfaces: Facilitates seamless connection to the common DC bus via integrated busbars.

• 2x 24V DC Electronic Power Supply Interfaces: Ensures stable logic power through integrated busbars.

• 4x DRIVE-CLiQ Sockets: Enables high-speed digital communication with the central Control Unit (e.g., CU320-2) and other drive components, supporting sophisticated multi-axis coordination and real-time data exchange.

• 2x Motor Connections: Utilizing plug-in connectors (not typically included in delivery scope).

• 2x Safe Torque Off (STO) Inputs: One per axis, providing integrated safety functionality compliant with SIL 3 / PLe standards as part of Siemens' "Safety Integrated" concept.

• 2x Safe Brake Control Outputs: For direct control of motor holding brakes.

• 2x Temperature Sensor Inputs: Supporting KTY84-130, Pt1000, or PTC sensors for motor thermal monitoring.

• Integrated DRIVE-CLiQ Cable: Supplied for connecting adjacent booksize components.

The module boasts optimized pulse patterns for smoother motor operation and reduced losses, along with support for extended safety functions directly within the drive architecture, minimizing the need for external safety relays and simplifying system design and validation.

Evolution: Contrasting 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4 with 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA3

While sharing the fundamental purpose of controlling two motors from a common DC link and similar core electrical specifications (600V DC input, 400V 3AC output, 2x5A/2x10A), the -0AA4 and its predecessor -0AA3 differ in crucial aspects impacting performance, compatibility, and lifecycle:

Comparison Table: 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4 vs. 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA3

Interchangeability and Replacement Scenarios: Navigating the Transition

Direct, drop-in hardware replacement between the -0AA3 and -0AA4 is generally not feasible or recommended due to firmware dependencies and system-level differences. Their interchangeability is highly context-dependent:

1. Direct Physical Swap (Not Recommended):

   • Firmware Incompatibility: The most significant barrier. The -0AA4 requires significantly newer firmware versions (typically V5.1 SP1 with specific Hotfixes or V6.x) compared to the -0AA3, which often operated on older firmware (V4.x, V5.0, or V5.1). Installing an -0AA4 into a system configured for an -0AA3 without updating the firmware across the drive line-up (especially the Control Unit) will result in incompatibility errors and system failure.

   • Control Unit Dependencies: The advanced features sometimes associated with the -0AA4 era (like PROFINET IRT) depend on the capabilities of the connected Control Unit (e.g., CU320-2-2). Simply replacing the motor module won't enable IRT if the CU doesn't support it. Conversely, an older CU might not support the firmware needed for the -0AA4.

2. Replacement within a System Upgrade/Migration (Primary Feasible Scenario):

   • Upgrading a System with Failed -0AA4: If replacing a failed -0AA4 module within an existing system already running compatible firmware (V5.1 SP1+/V6.x), installing another -0AA4 (if available as spare) or its documented successor 6SL3120-2TE15-0AD0 (noting potential need for connector/cable adaptations per SIOS 109480497) is the logical path.

   • Replacing -0AA3 with -0AA4 as Part of Broader Update: This involves more than just swapping modules. It requires:

     1. Verifying compatibility of the entire drive system (especially the CU) with the newer firmware required by the -0AA4.

     2. Backing up the existing system configuration.

     3. Updating the project in the engineering software (TIA Portal / Startdrive) to target the -0AA4 hardware and newer firmware.

     4. Upgrading the firmware on the Control Unit and potentially other components.

     5. Installing the -0AA4 module.

     6. Downloading the migrated project to the drive system.

     7. Comprehensive testing and commissioning. This scenario leverages the system-level advancements possible with newer firmware and hardware but is complex. Given the discontinued status of the -0AA4, migrating directly to the successor -0AD0 module during such an upgrade is often more future-proof.

3. Replacement Not Advisable or Possible:

   • Requirement for PROFINET IRT Synchronization: If the application demands the ultra-precise, jitter-free synchronization provided by PROFINET IRT (e.g., high-speed printing, packaging lines, CNC multi-axis contouring), the older -0AA3 module cannot functionally replace the -0AA4 within a system designed for IRT. The IRT capability resides in the interaction between the CU (like CU320-2-2) and the network, but the system expects components compatible with that advanced environment, which the -0AA3 firmware/hardware generation typically isn't.

   • Sourcing Constraints: As both modules (-0AA3 and -0AA4) are officially discontinued and in the limited-spare-parts phase of their lifecycle, finding genuine new units is challenging. Replacement efforts are often better directed towards the current successor model (6SL3120-2TE15-0AD0), accepting the need for potential adaptations and firmware updates.

   • New System Designs: Neither the -0AA3 nor the -0AA4 should be specified for new projects. The current generation modules (like -0AD0) offer improved performance, features, and full manufacturer support.

Conclusion: The Role of the 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4 in Modern Automation

The Siemens SINAMICS S120 Double Motor Module 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4 represented a capable solution for compact, dual-axis control within the broader S120 ecosystem, offering integrated safety, efficient cooling, and seamless DC link connectivity. Its development signaled incremental refinements and compatibility with evolving system capabilities, particularly newer firmware and advanced Control Units supporting features like PROFINET IRT.

However, its designation as a discontinued product (PM410) since October 2018 marks a clear transition point. While it remains a viable spare part for maintaining existing systems originally built with it (provided compatible firmware is used), its role in new designs or as a simple upgrade path for older -0AA3 systems is superseded. The distinction between the two models lies less in dramatic electrical overhauls and more in firmware requirements, lifecycle status, and their position within the generational shift of the S120 platform. Replacing either module today necessitates careful consideration of system firmware, potential migration complexity, and, most pragmatically, the availability of genuine spares versus moving to the documented successor, the 6SL3120-2TE15-0AD0. For engineers maintaining legacy S120 systems, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring continued operational reliability and planning future upgrades.