Siemens SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES 6SE70 Modules: 6SE7012-0TP50-Z Z=C23+G91+K80

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Siemens SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES 6SE70 Series Technical Notes

The Siemens SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES 6SE70 series is one of the most widely deployed AC drive platforms in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power auxiliary systems, offshore platforms, steel rolling mills, cement plants, and municipal water treatment facilities, the 6SE70 architecture established a benchmark for modular, scalable variable-frequency drive (VFD) design throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Its distributed I/O topology, fiber-optic SIMOLINK communication backbone, and interchangeable power/control module architecture made it the preferred drive solution for process-critical applications requiring deterministic speed control, regenerative braking, and multi-drive synchronization.

The 6SE7012-0TP50-Z Z=C23+G91+K80 is a Compact Plus format inverter unit within this series, rated for low-power applications with factory-configured option codes: C23 (external 24V supply), G91 (PROFIBUS-DP interface), and K80 (additional I/O terminal block). This unit is representative of the modular option-code system that defines the 6SE70 product family.

The Evolution of 6SE70 Architecture

The SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES 6SE70 platform was introduced by Siemens in the mid-1990s as a successor to the 6SE32/6SE36 SIMOVERT P series. The architecture evolved through three distinct generations. The first generation (1995–2000) established the Compact and Chassis format split, with CU1 and CU2 control units operating on a parallel backplane bus. The second generation (2000–2006) introduced the Compact Plus (CP) enclosure format — a higher power-density variant sharing the same control electronics but with a revised power stack — alongside the Vector Control (VC) and Motion Control (MC) firmware variants, enabling torque-vector and servo-class positioning applications. The third generation (2006–2012) added SIMOLINK fiber-optic ring bus support, enabling multi-drive synchronization across up to 201 nodes without a master PLC.

Compatibility across generations is constrained at the control unit level: CU1 control boards are not interchangeable with CU2 boards without firmware re-parameterization. Power modules (rectifier, inverter, braking chopper) are mechanically interchangeable within the same frame size. The 6SE70 series reached end-of-active-production (EOAP) status in 2016, with Siemens designating the SINAMICS S120 (6SL3) as the functional successor. However, installed base volumes in legacy process industries ensure continued demand for 6SE70 spare modules through at least 2035.

6SE70 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly sourced modules within the SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES 6SE70 series, classified by functional category:

Inverter / Drive Units (Compact Plus Format)

6SE7012-0TP50-Z: 1.2 kW Compact Plus inverter, 3AC 380–480V, with option codes Z=C23+G91+K80 (24V ext. supply, PROFIBUS-DP, aux. I/O).
6SE7016-0TP50-Z: 1.6 kW Compact Plus inverter unit, 3AC 380–480V input, standard option slot.
6SE7021-0TP50-Z: 2.1 kW Compact Plus inverter, suitable for pump and fan variable-torque loads.
6SE7022-6TP50-Z: 2.6 kW Compact Plus inverter, enhanced thermal management, IP20 enclosure.
6SE7024-1TP50-Z: 4.1 kW Compact Plus inverter, common DC bus capable with external braking resistor.
6SE7027-2TP50-Z: 7.2 kW Compact Plus inverter, integrated EMC filter class C2, PROFIBUS option ready.

Chassis Format Inverter Units

6SE7031-2EF60-Z: 11 kW chassis inverter, frame size C, 3AC 380–480V, CU2 control unit slot.
6SE7031-8EF60-Z: 18.5 kW chassis inverter, frame size D, suitable for compressor and extruder drives.
6SE7032-6EF60-Z: 30 kW chassis inverter, frame size E, common DC bus architecture.
6SE7033-2EF60-Z: 37 kW chassis inverter, frame size E, regenerative feedback option compatible.
6SE7035-1EF60-Z: 55 kW chassis inverter, frame size F, used in rolling mill and crane hoist applications.

Control Units

6SE7090-0XX84-0AB0: CU1 control unit, Vector Control firmware, for Compact and Chassis format drives.
6SE7090-0XX84-0FF0: CU2 control unit, Motion Control firmware, encoder feedback input, for servo-class positioning.

Communication / Option Boards

6SE7090-0XX84-2FK0: PROFIBUS-DP option board (CBP2), plug-in to CU1/CU2 option slot, 12 Mbit/s.
6SE7090-0XX84-2FE0: DeviceNet option board (CBD), for North American process automation integration.
6SE7090-0XX84-2FJ0: SIMOLINK fiber-optic board (SLB), enables ring bus synchronization up to 201 drives.

Power Supply / Rectifier Units

6SE7031-2HF84-1JC0: Active Front End (AFE) rectifier, 11 kW, sinusoidal input current, regenerative.
6SE7036-0EE85-1JA0: Diode rectifier unit, 55 kW, frame size F, for common DC bus multi-drive systems.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete 6SE70 Parts

Since Siemens declared the 6SE70 series end-of-active-production in 2016, procurement of replacement modules has shifted entirely to the secondary market and specialist distributors. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of 6SE70 Compact Plus and Chassis format modules, including CU1/CU2 control units, CBP2 PROFIBUS boards, SLB fiber-optic boards, and power stacks across frame sizes C through H. All units are sourced from decommissioned plant equipment, tested OEM overstock, and verified repair channels.

For end-users operating 6SE70 drives in facilities with 10–20 year maintenance horizons — including nuclear auxiliary systems, offshore platform drives, and continuous-process chemical plants — DriveKNMS provides lifecycle extension support including: cross-reference to compatible replacement modules, firmware version matching for CU1/CU2 boards, and documentation of parameter sets for re-commissioning. Customers requiring long-term supply agreements (LTA) for 6SE70 spare modules are invited to contact our technical sales team directly.

Quality Control for the 6SE70 Range

The 6SE70 series presents specific test challenges due to its backplane bus architecture and multi-board control stack. DriveKNMS applies the following verification procedures to all 6SE70 units prior to dispatch:

Power stack testing is performed under resistive load at rated current for a minimum of 30 minutes, with thermal imaging to verify IGBT junction temperatures remain within Siemens-specified limits. Control unit (CU1/CU2) boards are tested on a dedicated 6SE70 test rig with known-good power modules, verifying all analog and digital I/O channels, encoder feedback inputs, and serial communication ports. PROFIBUS-DP option boards (CBP2) are verified for GSD file compatibility and cyclic data exchange at 1.5 Mbit/s and 12 Mbit/s. SIMOLINK boards (SLB) are tested for fiber-optic signal integrity and ring bus participation. All units are powered through a controlled ramp-up sequence to detect latent capacitor degradation in the DC link before full-voltage testing.