Siemens ADD5100 Series Modules – 6FL7820-8CA10

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Siemens ADD5100 Series Technical Notes

The Siemens ADD5100 series represents a specialized line of reader interface and communication modules deployed within Siemens' broader industrial automation and drive control infrastructure. These modules are found in heavy industrial environments including petrochemical refineries, nuclear power auxiliary systems, steel processing lines, and large-scale water treatment facilities. The ADD5100 platform integrates tightly with Siemens SIMATIC and SIMOTION control architectures, providing deterministic data acquisition and field device interfacing at the hardware level. Due to the long operational lifecycles typical of process industries — often 15 to 25 years per installation — ADD5100 components remain in active service well beyond their original production windows, making verified spare parts availability a critical operational requirement.

The Evolution of ADD5100 Architecture

The ADD5100 designation falls within Siemens' SIMOCODE and drive-adjacent reader interface product family, engineered to handle encoder feedback, dual-channel reader inputs, and position sensing for motion-critical applications. Early iterations of this architecture relied on parallel backplane communication with fixed baud-rate constraints. Subsequent revisions introduced PROFIBUS-DP compatibility, enabling integration into distributed I/O topologies without dedicated point-to-point wiring. The 6FL7820-8CA10 variant specifically implements a dual-channel reader interface, supporting simultaneous input from two independent sensing sources — a design requirement common in redundant positioning systems and safety-rated motion control loops.

As Siemens transitioned its drive and motion product lines toward PROFINET and TIA Portal-based engineering environments, the ADD5100 series entered a mature/end-of-active-production phase. Replacement pathways typically route through the SIMOCODE pro V PN family or SINAMICS S120 encoder interface boards, depending on the application. However, direct hardware substitution is rarely straightforward in legacy installations, making original ADD5100 modules the preferred solution for maintenance and repair scenarios.

ADD5100 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified components within the Siemens ADD5100 and closely associated 6FL7820 / 6FL7 reader interface product range. Each entry reflects a distinct hardware configuration:

6FL7820-8CA10: Dual reader interface module, ADD5100 platform, standard voltage range
6FL7820-8CA00: Single-channel reader interface, ADD5100 base variant
6FL7820-8CB10: Dual reader interface with extended temperature rating
6FL7820-8CB00: Single reader interface, extended temperature, compact form factor
6FL7820-8AA10: ADD5100 analog input reader interface, 4–20 mA signal conditioning
6FL7820-8AA00: Analog reader interface, single-ended input configuration
6FL7820-8BA10: Digital input reader interface, 24 VDC, dual-channel
6FL7820-8BA00: Digital input reader interface, 24 VDC, single-channel
6FL7820-8DA10: PROFIBUS-DP communication adapter for ADD5100 rack
6FL7820-8DA00: PROFIBUS-DP interface, reduced node address range
6FL7820-8EA10: Power supply module for ADD5100 backplane, 24 VDC input
6FL7820-8EA00: Power supply module, 115/230 VAC input, ADD5100 compatible
6FL7820-8FA10: Termination and shielding module for ADD5100 field wiring
6FL7820-8GA10: Diagnostic and status display module, ADD5100 series
6FL7820-8HA10: Redundancy switchover module for dual ADD5100 rack configurations
6FL7820-8HA00: Redundancy module, non-bumpless transfer variant
6FL7820-8JA10: High-speed counter input module, ADD5100 compatible
6FL7820-8KA10: Pulse output module for stepper interface, ADD5100 platform