Siemens SINAMICS S120 Modules: 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4 Double Motor Module

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Siemens SINAMICS S120 Series Technical Notes

The Siemens SINAMICS S120 drive system is one of the most widely deployed modular servo and vector drive platforms in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical complexes, nuclear power auxiliary systems, offshore platforms, steel rolling mills, and large-scale water treatment facilities, the S120 architecture provides a unified hardware framework for multi-axis coordinated motion and single-axis high-power drives. Its booksize and chassis format modules share a common DC bus, enabling regenerative energy exchange between axes — a design principle that has made it the reference platform for demanding continuous-duty applications where uptime is measured in years, not hours.

The 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4 is a Booksize format Double Motor Module rated at 2×1.7 A output current (per axis), designed for compact dual-axis servo applications within the S120 system. It connects directly to the common DC bus and is controlled via DRIVE-CLiQ, Siemens' proprietary digital drive interface.

The Evolution of SINAMICS S120 Architecture

The SINAMICS S120 platform was introduced in the early 2000s as the successor to the SIMODRIVE 611 and MASTERDRIVES MC families. Its architecture has evolved through several distinct generations:

Generation 1 (2003–2008): Initial Booksize and Chassis formats with CU320 Control Unit. PROFIBUS DP was the primary fieldbus. Firmware versions below V2.x. Limited DRIVE-CLiQ topology depth.

Generation 2 (2008–2014): Introduction of CU320-2 (PN/DP variants), expanded Safety Integrated functions (STO, SS1, SLS), and support for PROFINET IRT. Motor Modules extended to higher current ratings. Compatibility with SIMOTICS servo motors via DRIVE-CLiQ encoder feedback.

Generation 3 (2014–present): CU320-2 PN with extended memory, TM (Terminal Module) expansion, AM600 Active Line Module for full regeneration, and integration with SINAMICS Startdrive (TIA Portal engineering). Firmware V4.x and above introduced advanced vector control algorithms and expanded Safety Integrated Extended Functions (SBC, SDI, SLP).

Compatibility note: Booksize Motor Modules from Generation 1 (firmware <V2.6) are not directly interchangeable with Generation 3 Control Units without firmware alignment. Mixed-generation systems require careful DRIVE-CLiQ topology validation.

SINAMICS S120 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Control Units

• 6SL3040-1MA00-0AA0: CU320-2 DP Control Unit, PROFIBUS interface, central axis management
• 6SL3040-1MA01-0AA0: CU320-2 PN Control Unit, PROFINET IRT interface, TIA Portal compatible
• 6SL3040-0JA01-0AA0: CU310-2 PN single-axis Control Unit, compact standalone drive control

Active Line Modules (Booksize)

• 6SL3130-7TE21-6AA3: Active Line Module 16 kW, regenerative infeed, integrated line filter
• 6SL3130-7TE23-6AA3: Active Line Module 36 kW, high-power regenerative infeed for multi-axis systems
• 6SL3130-6AE21-0AB0: Smart Line Module 5 kW, non-regenerative infeed, compact booksize format

Motor Modules — Single Axis (Booksize)

• 6SL3120-1TE13-0AA3: Single Motor Module 3 A, compact servo axis, DRIVE-CLiQ interface
• 6SL3120-1TE15-0AA3: Single Motor Module 5 A, standard servo axis for mid-range torque applications
• 6SL3120-1TE21-0AA3: Single Motor Module 9 A, high-torque single-axis servo drive
• 6SL3120-1TE23-0AA3: Single Motor Module 18 A, heavy-duty single-axis booksize module

Motor Modules — Double Axis (Booksize)

• 6SL3120-2TE13-0AA3: Double Motor Module 2×3 A, dual-axis compact servo, shared DC bus
• 6SL3120-2TE15-0AA4: Double Motor Module 2×1.7 A, dual-axis ultra-compact servo, DRIVE-CLiQ, booksize — this listing
• 6SL3120-2TE21-8AA3: Double Motor Module 2×9 A, dual-axis mid-power servo for coordinated motion

Power Modules (Chassis Format)

• 6SL3310-1TE32-1AA3: Power Module PM340 22 kW, standalone vector drive, chassis format
• 6SL3310-1TE33-8AA3: Power Module PM340 37 kW, high-power standalone chassis drive

Supplementary / Interface Modules

• 6SL3055-0AA00-3AA0: Terminal Module TM31, analog/digital I/O expansion for S120 axis groups
• 6SL3055-0AA00-3BA0: Terminal Module TM15, digital I/O expansion, 24 DI/DO channels
• 6SL3055-0AA00-4CA0: Sensor Module SMC20, DRIVE-CLiQ encoder evaluation for external motors

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete SINAMICS S120 Parts

A significant portion of installed S120 systems globally are operating on Generation 1 and early Generation 2 hardware, with original commissioning dates between 2004 and 2012. Many of these modules — particularly CU320 (non-2) Control Units, first-generation Booksize Motor Modules with firmware <V2.6, and early Smart Line Modules — have reached or exceeded Siemens' standard product lifecycle and are no longer available through standard distribution channels.

Quality Control for the SINAMICS S120 Range

SINAMICS S120 Booksize and Chassis modules present specific test challenges due to their DRIVE-CLiQ communication dependency, shared DC bus architecture, and integrated Safety Integrated hardware channels. DriveKNMS applies a structured test protocol for all S120 modules prior to dispatch: