Siemens SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES 6SE70 Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Siemens SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Siemens SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES 6SE70 series represents one of the most widely deployed AC variable-frequency drive platforms in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power auxiliary systems, offshore platforms, cement plants, steel mills, and large-scale water treatment facilities, the 6SE70 platform covers power ranges from 0.55 kW to several megawatts in a unified hardware architecture. Its modular Compact Plus, Compact, and Cabinet form factors allowed system integrators to standardize drive infrastructure across entire plant segments, making it a de facto baseline for DCS-integrated motor control in process industries throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The series remains operational in thousands of installations worldwide, and long-term spare parts availability is a primary concern for plant maintenance engineers managing aging assets.

The Evolution of SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES Architecture

The 6SE70 platform was introduced in the early 1990s as the successor to the SIMOVERT P and SIMOVERT F families. The initial release established the core CUVC (Control Unit Vector Control) and CUMC (Control Unit Motion Control) board architecture, which remained largely backward-compatible across hardware generations. The Compact Plus form factor — covering the lower to mid power range — used a fully integrated power section and control board in a single enclosure, reducing panel footprint. The Compact and Cabinet variants addressed higher power requirements with modular power stacks and separate control racks.

Key architectural milestones include the introduction of the CBP2 (Communication Board PROFIBUS-DP) for fieldbus integration, the SBP (Sensor Board for pulse encoder feedback), and the TSY (Technology Board) for application-specific closed-loop functions. Firmware evolution moved through versions 1.x through 3.x on the CUVC, with each generation adding torque accuracy improvements and expanded fieldbus parameter mapping. By the mid-2000s, Siemens began transitioning new projects toward the SINAMICS S120 platform, and the SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES line entered its end-of-active-development phase. Siemens officially announced end-of-life for the majority of 6SE70 catalog numbers, though repair and spare parts support continued through authorized channels. Plants with installed bases face compatibility constraints: SINAMICS S120 is not a plug-and-play replacement and requires re-engineering of control wiring, parameter sets, and in many cases, motor feedback hardware.

SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Vector Control Units (CUVC-based Compact Plus)

• 6SE7022-6TP50-Z: 11 kW Compact Plus Motion Control inverter, integrated IGBT power section, CUVC board, 3AC 380–480 V input.
• 6SE7016-1TA61: 7.5 kW Compact Plus vector control unit, 3AC 380–480 V, IP20 enclosure, integrated brake chopper.
• 6SE7021-8EB61: 9.2 kW Compact Plus, vector control, 3AC 380–480 V, suitable for pump and fan loads.
• 6SE7024-7TD61: 22 kW Compact Plus, vector control, 3AC 380–480 V, integrated DC bus connection.
• 6SE7027-2TD61: 30 kW Compact Plus, vector control, 3AC 380–480 V, high dynamic torque response.
• 6SE7031-2HF60: 55 kW Compact unit, vector control, 3AC 380–480 V, separate control and power sections.
• 6SE7031-8EF60: 75 kW Compact unit, vector control, 3AC 380–480 V, modular power stack design.
• 6SE7032-6GF60: 110 kW Compact unit, vector control, 3AC 380–480 V, suitable for compressor drives.

Motion Control Units (CUMC-based)

• 6SE7022-6TP50-Z: 11 kW Compact Plus Motion Control variant (current SKU), CUMC board, encoder feedback ready, Z-option suffix denotes special configuration.
• 6SE7023-4TC61: 15 kW Compact Plus Motion Control, CUMC, supports SBP encoder board, closed-loop speed/torque.
• 6SE7026-0TD61: 25 kW Compact Plus Motion Control, CUMC, high-resolution speed feedback, suitable for winder and positioning applications.

Communication & Option Boards

• 6SE7090-0XX84-0FF0 (CBP2): PROFIBUS-DP communication board, plug-in to CUVC/CUMC option slot, supports DP-V1 acyclic services.
• 6SE7090-0XX84-0FA0 (CBC): CAN bus communication board, CANopen DS402 drive profile, for machine-level integration.
• 6SE7090-0XX84-0AB0 (SBP): Sensor Board Pulse encoder, HTL/TTL input, for closed-loop vector and motion control feedback.
• 6SE7090-0XX84-0KA0 (TSY): Technology board, programmable function blocks for PID, winder, and positioning control without external PLC.

Power Supply & Rectifier Units

• 6SE7036-0EE85-0AA0: Rectifier/regenerative unit, 160 kW, for common DC bus Cabinet configurations, active front end.
• 6SE7031-2EP85-0AA0: Rectifier unit, 55 kW, uncontrolled diode bridge, for standard Cabinet drive systems.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES Parts

The majority of 6SE70 catalog numbers have been discontinued by Siemens, with last-time-buy windows now closed for most power ranges. Plants operating this equipment face a defined set of sourcing challenges: CUVC and CUMC control boards fail due to capacitor aging and IGBT gate driver degradation; power stacks in the Compact Plus range are subject to DC bus capacitor failure after 10–15 years of operation; and option boards such as the CBP2 are no longer manufactured.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of tested 6SE70 series units, control boards, and option modules sourced from decommissioned plant equipment, authorized surplus channels, and factory-refurbished stock. Each unit is individually tested against Siemens factory parameter sets before dispatch. For end-users managing multi-year maintenance contracts on 6SE70-equipped plants, DriveKNMS offers consignment stock arrangements and priority allocation agreements to ensure parts availability aligned with planned maintenance windows.

Quality Control for the SIMOVERT MASTERDRIVES Range

The 6SE70 Compact Plus architecture presents specific test challenges due to the integration of the IGBT power section, DC bus capacitor bank, and CUVC/CUMC control board within a single enclosure. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all 6SE70 units prior to shipment:

• DC bus capacitor pre-charge and leakage current measurement against Siemens specification limits.
• IGBT gate drive signal verification using oscilloscope capture at all six gate terminals.
• No-load power-on test with parameter upload from reference CUVC/CUMC firmware image.
• PROFIBUS-DP communication test via CBP2 board using Siemens STARTER or SCOUT commissioning software.
• Encoder feedback loop verification for Motion Control variants using SBP board and reference encoder.
• Thermal imaging of power section under 50% rated load for 30-minute soak period.
• Final parameter reset to factory defaults and firmware version documentation included with shipment.