Siemens SIMATIC S7-1200

PLC concepts
5.5 Using a memory card
S7-1200 Programmable controller
138 System Manual, V4.2, 09/2016, A5E02486680-AK
5.5
Using a memory card
Note
The CPU supports only the pre
-formatted SIMATIC memory cards (Page 1546).
Before you copy any program to the formatted memory card, del
ete any previously saved
program from the memory card.
Use the memory card either as a transfer card or as a program card. Any program that you
copy to the memory card contains all of the code blocks and data blocks, any technology
objects, and the device configuration. A copied program does
not
contain force values. The
force values are not part of the program, but are stored in the load memory, whether the
internal load memory of the CPU, or the external load memory (a program card). If you insert
a program card in the CPU, STEP 7 then applies the force values only to the external load
memory on the program card.
● Use a transfer card (Page 142) to copy a program to the internal load memory of the CPU
without using STEP 7. After you insert the transfer card, the CPU first erases the user
program and any force values from the internal load memory, and then copies the
program from the transfer card to the internal load memory. When the transfer process is
complete, you must remove the transfer card.
You can use an empty transfer card to access a password-protected CPU when the
password has been lost or forgotten (Page 151). Inserting the empty transfer card deletes
the password-protected program in the internal load memory of the CPU. You can then
download a new program to the CPU.
● Use a program card (Page 145) as external load memory for the CPU. Inserting a
program card in the CPU erases all of the CPU internal load memory (the user program
and any force values). The CPU then executes the program in external load memory (the
program card). Downloading to a CPU that has a program card updates only the external
load memory (the program card).
Because the internal load memory of the CPU was erased when you inserted the
program card, the program card
must
remain in the CPU. If you remove the program
card, the CPU goes to STOP mode. (The error LED flashes to indicate that program card
has been removed.)
You also use a memory card when downloading firmware updates (Page 148).