Siemens SINAMICS S120 Control Units: A5E00703754

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Siemens SINAMICS S120 Series Technical Notes

The Siemens SINAMICS S120 is a modular multi-axis drive system deployed across the full spectrum of heavy industrial applications, including petrochemical plants, nuclear power auxiliary systems, offshore drilling platforms, steel rolling mills, and large-scale paper and pulp facilities. Its distributed architecture — separating the Control Unit (CU) from the Motor Modules and Power Modules — allows engineers to configure single-axis and multi-axis topologies from a common hardware platform. The S120 family holds a dominant installed base in European and Asian process industries, with active deployments spanning 20+ years. The A5E00703754 is a Control Unit module within this ecosystem, responsible for closed-loop vector control, PROFIBUS/PROFINET communication, and coordinated axis management.

The Evolution of SINAMICS S120 Architecture

The SINAMICS S120 platform was introduced in the early 2000s as Siemens' successor to the SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES MC (Motion Control) line. The first-generation CU310 and CU320 Control Units used DRIVE-CLiQ as the internal communication backbone — a proprietary serial protocol that replaced the earlier encoder and resolver wiring harnesses with a single standardized cable carrying power, data, and identification signals simultaneously.

The second generation introduced the CU320-2 DP and CU320-2 PN variants, adding dual-port PROFINET IRT (Isochronous Real-Time) capability and expanding the number of simultaneously controllable axes from 6 to 12 per Control Unit. Firmware compatibility between generations is managed via the STARTER commissioning tool and, from V4.7 onward, via SINAMICS Startdrive within TIA Portal. Legacy CU310 units are no longer manufactured but remain in active service; replacement parts and refurbished units are the primary supply channel for maintenance teams.

The A5E00703754 article number designates a specific hardware revision of the CU (Control Unit) assembly. A5E article numbers are Siemens' internal manufacturing part numbers (Erzeugnisschlüssel), distinct from the commercial order numbers (e.g., 6SL3040-1MA00-0AA0). Both references are used interchangeably in MRO procurement.

SINAMICS S120 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly stocked modules within the SINAMICS S120 ecosystem. Modules are classified by functional role.

Control Units (CU)

• A5E00703754: CU320 Control Unit, PROFIBUS DP interface, multi-axis vector/servo control, CompactFlash slot for firmware.
• 6SL3040-1MA00-0AA0: CU320-2 DP Control Unit, PROFIBUS DP, supports up to 6 axes, DRIVE-CLiQ ×4.
• 6SL3040-1MA01-0AA0: CU320-2 PN Control Unit, PROFINET IRT dual-port, supports up to 12 axes.
• 6SL3040-0JA01-0AA0: CU310-2 DP single-axis Control Unit, PROFIBUS DP, compact booksize format.
• 6SL3040-0JA01-0AB0: CU310-2 PN single-axis Control Unit, PROFINET, integrated safety STO/SS1.

Motor Modules – Booksize Format

• 6SL3120-1TE21-0AA3: Single Motor Module 10 A, booksize, DRIVE-CLiQ, 380–480 V AC input.
• 6SL3120-1TE23-0AA3: Single Motor Module 30 A, booksize, for servo and vector applications.
• 6SL3120-2TE21-0AA3: Double Motor Module 2×10 A, booksize, dual-axis output.
• 6SL3120-2TE23-0AA3: Double Motor Module 2×18 A, booksize, dual-axis, space-optimized.

Power Modules – Chassis Format

• 6SL3310-1TE32-1AA3: Active Line Module 210 A, chassis, regenerative feedback, 380–480 V.
• 6SL3310-1TE33-1AA3: Active Line Module 380 A, chassis, for high-power multi-axis systems.
• 6SL3315-1TE31-3AA3: Smart Line Module 36 A, chassis, non-regenerative, cost-optimized.

Communication & Interface Modules

• 6SL3055-0AA00-2AA0: CBE20 Communication Board, PROFINET IRT, plug-in for CU320-2 DP retrofit.
• 6SL3055-0AA00-2EB0: VSM10 Voltage Sensing Module, monitors DC link and AC supply voltage.
• 6SL3060-4AX00-0AA0: DRIVE-CLiQ Hub Module DMC20, expands DRIVE-CLiQ topology in cabinet installations.

Supplementary / Power Supply

• 6EP1333-3BA00: SITOP PSU100S 24 V / 10 A stabilized power supply, standard auxiliary supply for S120 control electronics.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete SINAMICS S120 Parts

The original CU320 (non-suffix) Control Unit, including the A5E00703754 assembly, reached end-of-production status. Siemens' official spare parts window for this hardware revision has closed for new manufacture; however, the module remains in active service at thousands of installed sites globally. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of tested, refurbished, and new-surplus CU320 and associated S120 modules to support lifecycle extension programs.

For plant operators running S120 systems beyond the standard 15-year service horizon, DriveKNMS provides: verified pull-from-service units with full functional test records, firmware-matched CompactFlash cards pre-loaded to the customer's specified version, cross-reference mapping between A5E article numbers and commercial 6SL order numbers, and documented interchange compatibility between CU320 and CU320-2 DP for drop-in replacement assessments.

Quality Control for the SINAMICS S120 Range

SINAMICS S120 Control Units present specific test challenges due to their integrated DRIVE-CLiQ master port, multi-axis encoder feedback processing, and onboard safety function logic (STO, SS1, SBC per IEC 62061). DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all S120 CU modules:

• Power-on self-test (POST) verification via STARTER software: firmware load, parameter set restore, and fault memory clear.
• DRIVE-CLiQ port continuity and enumeration test: each port is connected to a known-good SMC30 Sensor Module and verified for device recognition.
• PROFIBUS DP / PROFINET communication test: module is placed on a live test network and cyclic data exchange is confirmed at 12 Mbit/s (DP) or 100 Mbit/s (PN).
• Integrated safety channel verification: STO input is toggled and safe state response is confirmed against the module's safety logbook.
• Thermal cycling: module operates under load for a minimum of 2 hours at 45 °C ambient before final inspection.
• All test results are logged to a unit-level traceability record shipped with the module.