Assembly of a CPU 41x–H 
  5.6 Using memory cards 
S7-400H 
System Manual, 03/2012, A5E00267695-11 
67 
5.6  Using memory cards 
Types of memory cards for the S7–400 
Two types of memory cards are used for S7–400H: 
●  RAM cards 
●  FLASH cards 
What type of memory card should I use? 
Whether you use a RAM card or a FLASH card depends on your application.  
Table 5- 5  Types of memory card 
If you ...  then ... 
want to be able to edit your program in RUN 
mode, 
use a RAM card 
want to keep a permanent backup of your user 
program on the memory card, even when power 
is off, i.e. without backup or outside the CPU, 
use a FLASH card 
RAM card   
Insert the RAM card to load the user program in the CPU. Load the user program in STEP 7 
by selecting "Target system > Download". 
You can load the entire user program or individual elements such as FBs, FCs, OBs, DBs, or 
SDBs in the load memory in STOP or RUN mode. 
When you remove the RAM card from the CPU, the information stored on it will be lost. The 
RAM card is not equipped with an integrated backup battery. 
If the power supply is equipped with an operational backup battery, or the CPU is supplied 
with an external backup voltage at the "EXT. BATT." socket, the RAM card memory contents 
are retained when power is switched off, provided the RAM card remains inserted in the 
CPU and the CPU remains inserted in the rack.