How-To Guide

Siemens IM 151-3 PN HIGH FEATURE Interface Module (6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0)

Complete reference for the high-feature PROFINET IO interface module for the SIMATIC ET 200S distributed I/O system: ST vs HF vs FO comparison, system assembly with terminal/electronic/power modules, PROFINET wiring and device-name assignment, advanced features (Shared Device, prioritized startup, IRT, MRP, PROFIenergy), LED diagnostics, and the migration path to ET 200SP.

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How-To Guide  ·  Siemens ET 200S  ·  PROFINET Interface Module

IM 151-3 PN HF (6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0): ET 200S System, Wiring, Configuration & ET 200SP Migration

Part Number: 6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0  ·  SIMATIC ET 200S · PROFINET IO HIGH FEATURE · 2-port switch · Up to 63 modules

The IM 151-3 PN HIGH FEATURE (article number 6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0) is the high-feature PROFINET IO interface module for the Siemens SIMATIC ET 200S distributed I/O system. It connects a string of ET 200S terminal modules, electronic modules, power modules, and motor starters to an S7-300, S7-400, S7-1500, or third-party PROFINET IO controller, supporting up to 63 modules and 256 bytes of cyclic I/O data. The HF variant adds Shared Device, prioritized startup, isochronous real-time (IRT) communication, media redundancy (MRP), and PROFIenergy on top of the standard IM 151-3 PN feature set. This guide covers the full ET 200S system architecture, how the HF differs from the ST and FO variants, PROFINET and 24 VDC wiring, initial commissioning in STEP 7 / TIA Portal, the advanced HF-only features, LED diagnostics, and the migration path to the modern ET 200SP — ET 200S itself was officially discontinued for new orders on 1 October 2020.

1. ET 200S System Overview

The SIMATIC ET 200S is a discretely modular, IP 20 distributed I/O system for PROFIBUS DP and PROFINET IO. A station consists of a head-end interface module followed by a sequence of terminal modules (TMs) onto which electronic modules (EMs) and power modules (PMs) are plugged. Up to 63 modules can be operated behind a single IM 151-3 PN HF, with a 2 m maximum rear-panel-bus length and 256 bytes of cyclic I/O address space.

The IM 151-3 PN HIGH FEATURE sits at the left end of the rail and is the bridge between the PROFINET IO network and the rear-panel bus that feeds every downstream module. Article number 6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0 identifies the high-feature variant; it is a 60 mm wide, 24 VDC powered head module with a 2-port integrated PROFINET switch, an RJ45 connector per port, and a SIMATIC Micro Memory Card slot for storing the device name and firmware.

ET 200S Interface Module Family

VariantArticle NumberNetworkNotes
IM 151-1 BASIC6ES7151-1CA00-1BL0PROFIBUS DPEntry-level DP slave; up to 12 modules, no PROFINET
IM 151-1 STANDARD6ES7151-1AA06-0AB0PROFIBUS DPStandard DP slave; up to 63 modules, RS485
IM 151-1 HIGH FEATURE6ES7151-1BA02-0AB0PROFIBUS DPHigh-feature DP slave with diagnostics, identification data
IM 151-3 PN6ES7151-3AA23-0AB0PROFINET IO (Standard)Standard PROFINET IO Device with 2-port switch
IM 151-3 PN HIGH FEATURE6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0PROFINET IO (High Feature)Adds PROFIenergy plus PROFIsafe-V2 and isochronous mode -- this guide
IM 151-3 PN FO6ES7151-3BB23-0AB0PROFINET IO (Fiber)Fiber-optic PROFINET ports (POF / PCF)
IM 151-7 / IM 151-8 PN/DP CPUvariousPROFINET + integrated CPUET 200S with on-board S7-300-class CPU
ET 200S vs. ET 200SP -- Different Platforms ET 200S and ET 200SP are not the same product family. ET 200S (this guide, with IM 151-x head modules and TM/EM terminal-and-electronic-module pairs) was launched in the early 2000s and is the legacy platform. ET 200SP (with IM 155-6 head modules and BaseUnits) is the newer, smaller, faster successor introduced in 2012. They share none of the same modules — an ET 200S electronic module will not plug into an ET 200SP BaseUnit, and vice versa. See section 10 for the migration path.

2. Article Number Breakdown: 6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0

The Siemens MLFB (machine-readable order designation) for this module decodes as follows:

SegmentValueMeaning
6ES7Family prefixSIMATIC S7 / ET 200 series electronic product
151Module typeET 200S interface module (head module)
-3Network familyPROFINET IO variant (-1 = PROFIBUS DP)
BFeature classB = HIGH FEATURE (A = STANDARD copper, B+second-letter selects HF copper or FO)
A23Hardware variant + versionA = copper RJ45 ports, version 23 (the 'BA23' generation)
-0AB0Packaging / firmware suffixStandard packaging unit; firmware V7.0 or higher

Sibling article numbers in the same generation: 6ES7151-3AA23-0AB0 = IM 151-3 PN STANDARD (copper, no HF features); 6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0 = IM 151-3 PN HIGH FEATURE (copper, this module); 6ES7151-3BB23-0AB0 = IM 151-3 PN FO (fiber-optic high-feature).

Compatibility With Predecessors The 6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0 directly replaces the older 6ES7151-3BA20-0AB0 and 6ES7151-3BA22-0AB0 in an existing system without re-configuration. A unit being installed as a spare must first be 'Reset to factory settings' before it is wired into the new station (per Siemens manual A5E01584258-04, section on Compatibility).

3. HF vs. ST vs. FO Feature Comparison

All three IM 151-3 PN variants share the same physical footprint, the same 24 VDC supply, and the same maximum quantity structure (63 modules, 256 bytes I/O). They differ in network media and, in the case of the HF, in two extra functions: PROFIenergy and PROFIsafe-related fail-safe handling. The table below pulls every published feature line straight from the three module manuals.

FeatureIM 151-3 PN (ST)IM 151-3 PN HFIM 151-3 PN FO
Article number6ES7151-3AA23-0AB06ES7151-3BA23-0AB06ES7151-3BB23-0AB0
Network mediaCopper (RJ45)Copper (RJ45)Fiber-optic (POF / PCF)
Integrated 2-port switchYesYesYes
Max modules / I/O bytes63 / 25663 / 25663 / 256
Min update time / send cycle250 us250 us250 us
Isochronous Real-Time (IRT) -- high flexibility & high performanceYesYesYes
Prioritized startupYesYesYes
Shared DeviceYesYesYes
Media redundancy (MRP)YesYesYes
Device replacement without exchangeable mediaYesYesYes
PROFIenergyNo (not listed)YesYes
Fail-safe modules supportedStandard setYes (full HF list)PROFIsafe V2 and higher
Max link distance100 m copper / port100 m copper / portPOF 50 m, PCF 100 m, PCF-GI 250 m
Required STEP 7 version (IRT high performance)V5.4 SP4+V5.4 SP4+V5.4 SP4+
When to Pick the HF over the ST Choose the HF (this module) when the application needs (a) PROFIenergy energy-saving control of power modules during pauses, or (b) the broader fail-safe and HF-module compatibility list. For all other use cases the cheaper IM 151-3 PN ST (6ES7151-3AA23-0AB0) is functionally equivalent on the network side — both speak PROFINET IO at 100 Mbit/s, both support IRT, MRP, Shared Device, and prioritized startup.

4. System Assembly Architecture

ET 200S follows a strict left-to-right assembly pattern on a 35 mm DIN rail (per EN 60715). Modules are not freely-swappable into arbitrary slots like a 1756 ControlLogix chassis — instead each terminal module is hooked onto the rail, slid leftward against the previous one, and the matching electronic or power module is then plugged onto its face.

Mandatory Order on the Rail

PositionComponentPurpose
1 (leftmost)IM 151-3 PN HF interface modulePROFINET IO head, supplies the rear-panel bus, holds the Micro Memory Card with the device name
2TM-P terminal module + PM-E power moduleOpens the first potential group; supplies sensor and load voltage to the electronic modules to its right
3 ... nTM-E terminal modules + electronic modulesDigital input / output, analog input / output, IO-Link master, motor starter, RTD/TC, fail-safe, etc. Up to 63 modules total.
Optional mid-stringAdditional TM-P + PM-EOpens a new potential group when load voltage or grounding needs change
Last (rightmost)Terminating moduleShips with the IM 151-3; bus-terminates the rear-panel bus. Without it the BF LED will signal a missing-termination fault.
Terminal Modules Carry the Wiring -- Electronic Modules Don't All field wiring lands on the terminal module (TM). The electronic module (EM) plugs onto the TM and contains only the electronics. This is the foundation of ET 200S 'permanent wiring' — an EM can be hot-swapped during operation without disturbing the field cabling underneath. Order the matching TM separately for every EM you plan to install (e.g. TM-E15N24-A1 for a standard 15 mm electronic module, TM-P15N23-A1 for a power module).

Power Modules and Potential Groups

Every TM-P terminal module on the rail opens a new potential group. The downstream electronic modules in that potential group all draw their sensor and load supply from the PM-E plugged onto that TM-P. To switch a section of the station to a different load voltage, or to galvanically separate one section from the next, you simply place another TM-P + PM-E pair at that point.

A TM-P also exposes the AUX1 bus — an auxiliary potential rail that runs parallel to the P1/P2 power buses and can carry a separate voltage (up to 230 VAC/DC, 10 A at 60 deg C) for protective-conductor distribution or supplemental supplies. Per the ET 200S system manual: 'If you connect the AUX1 bus to common potential independently of the P1/P2 buses (different voltages), there is no safe electrical separation (in accordance with EN 50178) between the AUX1 bus and the P1/P2 buses.'

Always Install the Terminating Module The plastic terminating module that ships with the IM 151-3 PN HF must sit on the right end of the assembly. If it is missing, the BF LED flashes a configuration-error code at power-up and the rear-panel bus does not establish. Per Siemens A5E01584258-04 section 4.1: error type 1, slot = (number of inserted I/O modules + 1) indicates 'Terminating module missing'.

5. PROFINET IO Wiring

The IM 151-3 PN HF has an integrated 2-port switch with two RJ45 sockets labeled X1 P1 and X1 P2. Either port can be used as 'in' or 'out' — the module auto-negotiates and auto-crosses, so you do not need crossover cables.

RJ45 Pinout (Both Ports)

PinSignalDescription
1TDTransmit Data +
2TD_NTransmit Data -
3RDReceive Data +
4GNDGround
5GNDGround
6RD_NReceive Data -
7GNDGround
8GNDGround

Network Specifications

ParameterValue
Transmission rate10 Mbps for Ethernet services / 100 Mbps full duplex for PROFINET IO
Transmission method100BASE-TX
Send cycle (IRT high performance)250 us to 4 ms in 125-us increments
Send cycle (RT and IRT high flexibility)250 us, 500 us, 1 ms
Autonegotiation / autocrossingYes / Yes
Bus protocolPROFINET IO
Supported Ethernet servicesping, arp, LLDP, SNMP / MIB-2, prioritized startup, MRP, Shared Device
PROFINET interface connector2x RJ45 (integrated switch)
Vendor ID002A H
Device ID0301 H

Recommended Cabling

Use Siemens FastConnect (FC) PROFINET Cat 5e cabling and the matching FastConnect RJ45 connectors from the FC catalog. Per the ET 200S system manual, validated cable types are:

CableOrder NumberUse Case
FC Standard Cable6XV1 840-2AH10Static installation in cable trays
FC Trailing Cable6XV1 840-3AH10Cable carriers, drag chains, moving machinery
FC Marine Cable6XV1 840-4AH10Marine and offshore environments
MRP Ring Topology When using media redundancy (MRP), wire X1 P1 of one device to X1 P2 of the next and close the ring back to a redundancy manager (typically an S7-1500 CPU or a SCALANCE switch configured as MRP Manager). The IM 151-3 PN HF acts as an MRP Client. The ring detects a single cable break in < 200 ms and continues operation; see the Siemens 'PROFINET System Description' manual (A5E00298287) for ring sizing rules.
Disable Autonegotiation Only When You Set a Fixed Connection Per A5E01584258-04: if you fix the port speed/duplex in STEP 7 (e.g. force 100 Mbps full duplex), you must also disable 'Autonegotiation/Autocrossover' on the same port, otherwise the link will not come up reliably. Leave both at default (auto) unless you have a specific reason to pin them.

6. 24 VDC Power Wiring

The IM 151-3 PN HF is powered from a 24 VDC source through a 4-pin connector on the bottom of the module. Two of the pins are 'loop-through' so a second 24 VDC drop can be daisy-chained out to another head module without a separate wire run.

24 VDC Supply Connector

TerminalSignalDescription
1L+24 VDCRated supply voltage to the IM electronic
2L+24 VDC (loop-through)Daisy-chain 24 VDC out to next device
1MGround0 VDC return
2MChassis ground (loop-through)0 VDC daisy-chain

Electrical Specifications

ParameterValue
Rated supply voltage (1L+)24 VDC
Reverse-polarity protectionYes
Voltage failure bypassMin. 20 ms
Galvanic isolation, rear-panel bus to electronicsNo
Galvanic isolation, Ethernet to electronicsYes
Galvanic isolation, supply voltage to electronicsNo
Permitted potential difference to rail75 VDC / 60 VAC
Insulation test voltage500 VDC
Current consumption from 1L+Approx. 200 mA
Power dissipationApprox. 3.3 W
Module width60 mm
WeightApprox. 150 g
IM Supply vs. Sensor/Actuator Supply Are Separate The 24 VDC fed into the IM 151-3 PN HF only powers the head module's own electronics and the rear-panel bus that talks to the EMs. It does not feed sensor or load voltage to the I/O modules — that comes from the PM-E power module(s) you place downstream on TM-P terminal modules. A common rookie mistake is to skip the PM-E and wonder why the digital inputs are dead even though the IM is online.

7. Initial Configuration in STEP 7 / TIA Portal

The IM 151-3 PN HF is configured with STEP 7 V5.4 SP4 or higher for IRT 'high performance', or with TIA Portal V13 SP1 or higher for the standard PROFINET IO feature set. The GSDML file is part of the STEP 7 / TIA Portal hardware catalog — no separate import is required for native Siemens controllers. Third-party PROFINET masters can pull the GSDML from the Siemens Industry Online Support portal.

Step-by-Step Commissioning

  1. Insert the SIMATIC Micro Memory Card into the IM 151-3 PN HF before powering it. The MMC stores the device name; without it, the device name is lost on every power-cycle.
  2. Mount and wire the station: IM on the left, TM-P + PM-E for the first potential group, TM-Es with their EMs, optional additional TM-P/PM-E pairs, terminating module on the right. Wire 24 VDC to the IM and to each PM-E. Plug a PROFINET cable into X1 P1.
  3. Open STEP 7 / TIA Portal and create an S7 station with a PROFINET IO controller (e.g. CPU 317-2 PN/DP, S7-1500). Drag the IM 151-3 PN HF from the hardware catalog (ET 200S branch) onto the PROFINET IO subnet.
  4. Drag each ET 200S module (PM-E, then EMs) from the catalog into the configuration table in the order they appear on the physical rail. Slot 1 is the first module after the IM. Mismatch between configured and physical order = SF LED at power-up.
  5. Set parameters per module: enable diagnostics (e.g. 'Missing load voltage' on PM-E, 'Wire break' on digital outputs), set substitute values, configure PROFIenergy power-off slots if needed.
  6. Enter a device name in the IM properties dialog (lowercase, hyphens allowed; must be unique on the PROFINET subnet). Compile the project.
  7. Assign the device name online: PLC > Ethernet > Assign Device Name. STEP 7 broadcasts a DCP request, finds the un-named module by MAC, and writes the name to the MMC. The name persists across power cycles thereafter.
  8. Download the configuration to the IO controller. The IO controller establishes the PROFINET application relationship (AR) to the IM, the rear-panel bus enumerates the EMs, and ON + LINK + RX/TX LEDs go solid green when data exchange begins.
Device Replacement Without MMC Once topology has been configured in STEP 7 (with port-to-port neighbor relationships defined), the IO controller can assign the device name to a brand-new spare IM automatically via PROFINET DCP — no MMC, no PG cable. To use this 'device replacement without exchangeable media' feature on a spare, first 'Reset to factory settings' the spare so that its previous name is cleared (per A5E01584258-04 section on Compatibility). Configured topology must agree with actual cabling for this to work.
Module Compatibility Limits with HF Per A5E01584258-04, a small set of older or specialty modules cannot be operated downstream of the IM 151-3 PN HF: 2AO U HIGH FEATURE up to FW3, 2AO I HIGH FEATURE up to FW3, 1SI 3964(R)/ASCII (6ES7138-4DF00) up to FW4, Modbus/USS (6ES7138-4DF01) up to FW4, 2PULSE up to FW6, 1Count 24V/100kHz (6ES7138-4DA03), and the original 3RK1301-xxxxx-0AA1 motor starters. Consult the manual before mixing legacy modules with this head.

8. Advanced HF Features

These are the functions that distinguish the HIGH FEATURE variant from a vanilla IM 151-3 PN ST. Each is enabled in the IM properties dialog in STEP 7 / TIA Portal and may also require a compatible IO controller (e.g. PROFIenergy power-down requires firmware that can issue the PE_Start_Pause command).

Isochronous Real-Time (IRT)

Synchronized cyclic data exchange with reserved bandwidth, used by motion control and high-speed coordinated machinery. Two options:

IRT OptionTopologyUse Case
High flexibilityTopology configuration NOT requiredGeneral-purpose IRT where bandwidth reservation is needed but exact cabling order may change
High performanceTopology configuration IS required (STEP 7 V5.4 SP4+)Synchronized motion control, drive coordination, deterministic bus cycle < 1 ms
IRT High Performance Address-Space Limit on Older EMs Per Siemens A5E01584258-04: 'The maximum address space is 146 bytes I/O data when the IRT option high performance is used. If you use a module having the product version EZ1, EZ2 or EZ3, you should limit the quantity structure to 146 bytes I/O data. Otherwise communication may be interrupted.' Newer EMs raise this back toward the 256-byte ceiling.

Prioritized Startup

Reduces the time an IO device needs to re-enter cyclic data exchange after (a) supply voltage returns, (b) a station comes back online, or (c) IO devices are activated by program. Useful on lines that need fast tool-change recovery. Note: prioritized startup disables firmware update via Micro Memory Card — only firmware update over the LAN is possible while the feature is active.

Shared Device

A single ET 200S station can present its modules to multiple PROFINET IO controllers simultaneously — e.g. discrete I/O serves a process controller while a fail-safe slice serves a separate F-CPU. Shared Device is not available with IRT 'high flexibility'; it requires the high-performance IRT option or a non-IRT configuration. Power and electronic modules in the same potential group must be assigned to the same IO controller for load-voltage failure diagnosis to work.

Media Redundancy (MRP)

Ring topology with one MRP Manager (commonly an S7-1500 or SCALANCE) and the IM 151-3 PN HF as MRP Client. A single cable break is detected and the ring reconfigured in < 200 ms, transparent to the user program. Recommended for high-availability lines where stopping is unacceptable.

PROFIenergy

Energy-saving function for cyclical pauses (lunch breaks, weekends). The IO controller sends the standardized PE_Start_Pause command (service ID 0x01, index 0x80A0) to the IM, which then disconnects load voltage on the configured PM-E modules and suppresses the resulting diagnostics. PE_End_Pause (service ID 0x02) brings them back. Other services in the data record: 0x03 Query_Modes, 0x04 PEM_Status, 0x05 PE_Identify. Requires a PM-E DC24V/8A RO power module (the relay-output-equipped PM-E) for the actual switching.

Option Handling 'Option handling' lets you configure the maximum future build-out of the station up front, then enable / disable individual modules from the user program at runtime. Useful for machine-builder OEMs who ship a single hardware configuration but unlock options per customer order. Slot-by-slot control records are documented in chapter 3.3 of A5E01584258-04.

9. Diagnostics & LED Display

The IM 151-3 PN HF carries five status LEDs on its faceplate plus two link-state LEDs (one per RJ45 port). The five module LEDs are arranged top-to-bottom on the right edge of the module:

LEDColorFunction
SFRedGroup error -- any module-level fault (configuration mismatch, module fault, missing module, missing terminator)
BFRedBus fault -- PROFINET communication error (no link, wrong device name, IO controller offline, parameter mismatch)
MAINTYellowMaintenance request -- channel-level maintenance demand (e.g. wire break on an analog channel, sync lost)
ONGreenSupply voltage present at 1L+
LINK P1 / LINK P2Green (one per port)Link to upstream switch / IO controller established

Status Code Decoder (HF Manual A5E01584258-04 Table 4-1)

SFBFMAINTONMeaningRemedy
OffOffOffOffNo 24 VDC at the IM, or hardware defectApply 24 VDC; if still off, replace the module
***OnVoltage present (idle baseline)--
*Flashing 0.5 Hz*OnFaulty / no connect message frame -- physically connected but no data exchange (wrong device name, config error, parameter error, IO controller offline)Verify device name, check IO controller, verify topology, re-download project
*On*OnIO device not connected to a switch (no PROFINET cable or controller missing)Connect PROFINET cable, verify switch / IO controller is online
On**OnConfigured ET 200S structure does not match actual structure (missing module, extra module, wrong order, faulty EM)Compare HW Config to physical rail; check terminating module
OnOn*OnBrand-new SIMATIC MMC formatting in progressWait several minutes for format to finish
OffOff*OnData exchange running -- station OK--
OnOn*OffFirmware update via MMC runningWait for completion
OffFlashing 0.5 Hz*OffMMC firmware update completed successfullyPower-cycle the module
OnFlashing 0.5 Hz*OffExternal error during MMC firmware update (wrong FW image)Use the correct firmware file, retry
OnFlashing 2 Hz*OffInternal error during MMC firmware update (read/write fault)Repeat the firmware update; replace MMC if persistent
**OnOnLoss of synchronization (IRT)See 'Maintenance alarms' chapter; check sync master and topology
SF/BF Slot-Code Flash Sequence When SF and BF flash 3x at 0.5 Hz then BF blinks an error type at 1 Hz then SF/BF flash 3x at 2 Hz then SF/BF blink the error location, that is the IM 151-3's extended setup-error indication (FW V7.0+). Error type 1 / slot 01-63 = communication interruption (missing module or rear-bus break or short); slot count + 1 with no set config typically means the terminating module is missing.

Common Faults & Resolutions

SymptomLikely CauseResolution
BF flashing, ON solidDevice-name mismatch -- IO controller cannot find the deviceRe-assign device name from STEP 7 / TIA Portal (PLC > Ethernet > Assign Device Name)
SF solid after a working module is removedEM removed from a configured slotRe-insert the module or change the configuration to mark the slot as not-equipped
MAINT yellow on an HF station with IRTSync master lost -- ring or topology brokenVerify Sync Master is online; check the configured topology against the physical cabling
ON off, no LEDs at all24 VDC missing or wrong polarityCheck 1L+ / 1M; reverse-polarity protection means the module is intact, just unpowered
LINK off on a port even with cable inSpeed/duplex mismatch (Autonegotiation disabled but switch in auto)Re-enable Autonegotiation/Autocrossover or pin both sides to the same fixed setting
IM cycles BF on a freshly wired station with no terminatorTerminating module missing on the right end of the railInstall the terminating module that ships with the IM

10. ET 200S to ET 200SP Migration Path

Siemens officially announced the discontinuation of the SIMATIC ET 200S product family for new orders effective 1 October 2020. Spare parts will remain available for at least 10 years from that date (i.e. through 2030). The named functional successor is the SIMATIC ET 200SP, which has been the recommended new-design platform since 2012.

ET 200S is Legacy -- But Still Fully Supported If you are maintaining an existing ET 200S installation, you can keep the IM 151-3 PN HF and its EMs in service indefinitely on the spare-parts pool. If you are designing a new machine, Siemens recommends ET 200SP. This guide is here for the maintenance and replacement use case — PLC Exchange supplies original-surplus IM 151-3 PN HF modules with a 2.5-year warranty for exactly that workload.

Why Migrate to ET 200SP

AspectET 200S (this product)ET 200SP (successor)
Head moduleIM 151-x family (60 mm wide)IM 155-6 PN family (35 mm wide BaseUnit-mounted)
MountingTerminal modules + electronic modules on DIN railBaseUnits + I/O modules on DIN rail; smaller pitch
Module width15 mm minimum15 mm minimum but with denser channel counts
Hot swapEM hot-swappable; IM not hot-swappableMulti-hot-swap of I/O modules during operation
Max modules per station63 (this IM)Up to 32 modules (PN ST) or 64 (PN HF) plus 16 ET 200AL modules
PROFINET featuresAll present on HF -- IRT, MRP, Shared Device, prioritized startup, PROFIenergyAll present plus PROFINET MRP-D, system redundancy R1/R2, OPC UA on newer IMs
Configuration softwareSTEP 7 V5.4 SP4+ / TIA Portal V13 SP1+TIA Portal V13 SP1+ (V14+ for newer IMs)
Module compatibilityET 200S EMs onlyET 200SP I/O modules only -- NOT cross-compatible with ET 200S
Lifecycle statusDiscontinued for new orders 2020-10-01Active product, recommended for new designs

Direct Replacement Roadmap

  1. Inventory the existing station. Note the IM article number, every TM-P + PM-E pair, and every TM-E + EM pair, then map each ET 200S EM to the closest-spec ET 200SP I/O module from the Siemens migration guide.
  2. Re-engineer the BaseUnit layout. ET 200SP groups channels by potential group through 'Light' (BU...D) and 'Dark' (BU...B) BaseUnits rather than separate PM-E modules; redraw the potential-group plan accordingly.
  3. Replace the head module. The IM 151-3 PN HF maps to either IM 155-6 PN ST (6ES7155-6AU01-0BN0 / -0CN0) for standard applications or IM 155-6 PN HF (6ES7155-6AU30-0CN0) for shared-device, IRT-high-performance, or large-station builds.
  4. Reconfigure in TIA Portal. The GSDML / hardware catalog entries differ between ET 200S and ET 200SP, so the project must be rebuilt; STEP 7 V5 projects also need conversion to TIA Portal first.
  5. Re-wire field signals onto the new BaseUnits. The ET 200SP terminal layout does not match ET 200S TMs, so a wiring change is required at the panel level — budget time for marshalling.
  6. Validate device-name and topology configuration. Use the new IM 155-6's DCP to assign device names; confirm MRP ring members and IRT sync if those features were used on the ET 200S station.
Don't Migrate Just Because You Can If your ET 200S station is running cleanly and you have spare modules in stock, the lower-risk decision is to keep it. Migration is a wiring + software project that should be tied to a planned shutdown or a controls-system refresh — not done piecemeal during a fault response. Siemens guarantees ET 200S spares well into the next decade.

11. Sibling SKUs in the IM 151 Family

If the IM 151-3 PN HF is not the right fit, here are the other ET 200S head modules in the same generation. PLC Exchange typically stocks the entire family for spare-parts replacement work.

Article NumberVariantNetworkPick When You Need...
6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0IM 151-3 PN HIGH FEATUREPROFINET (copper)PROFIenergy, full HF feature set, IRT high performance with full module compatibility -- this guide
6ES7151-3AA23-0AB0IM 151-3 PN STANDARDPROFINET (copper)Standard PROFINET IO with 2-port switch; lower cost than HF when PROFIenergy and HF-only modules aren't required
6ES7151-3BB23-0AB0IM 151-3 PN FOPROFINET (fiber)Plant areas with EMI, long runs (POF 50 m / PCF 100 m / PCF-GI 250 m per port), or galvanic isolation across building zones
6ES7151-1AA06-0AB0IM 151-1 STANDARDPROFIBUS DPExisting PROFIBUS DP network, no PROFINET IO controller available
6ES7151-1BA02-0AB0IM 151-1 HIGH FEATUREPROFIBUS DPPROFIBUS network with HF diagnostics + identification data; full 63-module support
6ES7151-1CA00-1BL0IM 151-1 BASICPROFIBUS DPSmall PROFIBUS DP slave (up to 12 modules), entry-level cost
6ES7151-7AA21-0AB0IM 151-7 CPUPROFIBUS DP + integrated CPUSmall standalone S7-300-class CPU on an ET 200S rail
6ES7151-8AB01-0AB0IM 151-8 PN/DP CPUPROFINET + PROFIBUS + integrated CPUET 200S head module with on-board CPU running PROFINET IO master and PROFIBUS DP master
Always Match the Generation Suffix When ordering a spare, verify the full suffix: -0AB0 for the BA23 generation. Older predecessor part numbers (BA20, BA22) are direct replacements but the BA23 is the generation actually in Siemens' supply chain today. Resetting a previously-deployed module to factory settings before re-installing is mandatory per A5E01584258-04.

Reference Documentation

The following Rockwell Automation publications were used as references for this guide. These are the official manufacturer documents for the hardware covered in this article.

PublicationDescriptionDownload
A5E01584258-04Siemens IM 151-3 PN HIGH FEATURE (6ES7151-3BA23-0AB0) Manual (08/2010)PDF
A5E00515771-06Siemens SIMATIC ET 200S Distributed I/O System Operating Instructions (08/2008)PDF
A5E01638907-04Siemens IM 151-3 PN STANDARD (6ES7151-3AA23-0AB0) Manual (08/2010)PDF
A5E01062515-04Siemens IM 151-3 PN FO (6ES7151-3BB23-0AB0) Manual (08/2010)PDF

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