Siemens 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 TP1500 Comfort — 15" HMI Buyer Review

By Abdullah Zahid
13 min read
Siemens 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 SIMATIC HMI TP1500 Comfort Panel 15.4-inch touch screen for industrial process control

Siemens 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 SIMATIC HMI TP1500 Comfort Panel: Specifications, Price, and Alternatives Guide

When a controls engineer is down to selecting a specific HMI part number, the real questions are protocol fit, panel space, and whether the memory budget holds up under real project load. The Siemens 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 is a 15.4-inch SIMATIC HMI TP1500 Comfort Panel with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, support for PROFINET, PROFIBUS-DP, and MPI on a single unit, and 24 MB of user-accessible Flash and RAM — a spec combination that eliminates separate interface modules and satisfies the protocol breadth most multi-vendor automation environments demand. This guide breaks down what matters for the purchase decision: confirmed specifications, honest variant comparison, wrong-part checks, and lead time reality.

If you have already confirmed this is the right part, check current pricing and availability at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

Who Should Buy the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 — and Who Shouldn't

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 is the right choice for engineers specifying a large-format HMI that must serve both touch-capable environments and gloved or wet-hand operator conditions, across networks that combine PROFINET and legacy PROFIBUS or MPI devices.

  • Your application requires a 15.4-inch widescreen display at 1280 x 800 pixel resolution to visualize complex process layouts without paging
  • Your network uses PROFINET with IRT or MRP redundancy, PROFIBUS-DP, or MPI — or some combination — without adding an external gateway module
  • Your panel power budget can supply a continuous 1.7 A at 24 V DC (19.2 to 28.8 V permissible range)
  • Your project memory load — screen definitions, alarm history, data logs — fits within 24 MB of user-available Flash and RAM
  • Your application environment benefits from analog-resistive touch (works through thin gloves and in wet conditions) combined with 40 direct hardware buttons as a dual-mode backup
  • Your facility requires international compliance documentation: CE, cULus, RCM, KC, EAC, or ATEX Zone 2 approval

If PROFINET is not required and budget is the primary driver, the TP1500 Standard (6AV2124-2GF03-0AX0) offers meaningful cost savings. If your environment demands key-only operation — high-dust food zones or pharmaceutical cleanrooms — the KP1500 Comfort (6AV2124-1QC02-0AX1) is the correct variant. If panel space is the hard constraint, the 12-inch TP1200 Comfort deserves evaluation first.

On this page:

What the TP1500 Comfort Actually Does in a Running System

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 sits at the operator interface layer of an automation architecture — it is the component through which floor operators read live process state from PLCs and write back commands, setpoints, and acknowledgments. On a 15.4-inch widescreen TFT panel at 1280 x 800 pixels with 16.7 million colors, a single screen can hold a full process mimic, real-time trend graph, active alarm list, and manual override buttons simultaneously, without the screen fragmentation that forces operators to page through views during time-critical events.

The analog-resistive touch screen registers input through pressure, not capacitance, which means it responds through thin rubber or latex gloves and does not ghost under water droplets — a material difference in food processing, pharmaceutical, or outdoor-adjacent environments. The 40 direct hardware buttons supplement the touch surface, giving operators a tactile fallback that never requires on-screen navigation. The X86 industrial processor with 24 MB of user Flash and RAM supports projects running 50 to 100-plus screens, multi-instance alarm views, and historical trend logging without the screen load delays that appear on underpowered panels. The LED backlight is dimmable from 0 to 100 percent, has an MTBF of 80,000 hours, and does not require backlight replacement planning in most system lifecycles.

On the network side, the two Gigabit Ethernet ports operate as a switch, allowing the panel to pass through PROFINET traffic without consuming a dedicated switch port on the PLC rack. The combined RS422/485 interface adds PROFIBUS-DP and MPI on the same device, meaning a plant running a mixed S7-300 PROFIBUS legacy network alongside a newer S7-1500 PROFINET segment can connect both to one TP1500 Comfort without any additional hardware layer.

Typical System Architecture: Where the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 Sits

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 occupies the visualization and operator input layer between the control layer (PLC/PAC) and the process field devices, passing operator commands down and surfacing process data up in real time.

  • Engineering workstation (TIA Portal) connects via Ethernet to program and commission both PLC and HMI; screens are built in WinCC Comfort and transferred to the panel
  • PLC (SIMATIC S7-1500 on PROFINET, or S7-300/400 on PROFIBUS/MPI) connects to HMI Ethernet Port 1 or the RS422/485 interface depending on protocol
  • 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 acts as the visualization node: receives tag values from PLC, renders process screens, and writes operator inputs back as PLC memory addresses
  • Downstream field devices (drives, sensors, actuators) connect to the PLC, not directly to the HMI; HMI reflects their state via PLC data exchange
  • SD card slots and USB 2.0 ports on the panel support local data logging, project backup, and USB peripheral connection for commissioning laptops or barcode readers

Industries and Applications Where the TP1500 Comfort Earns Its Price

Automotive assembly lines deploy the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 at station-level operator terminals, where the 1280 x 800 display holds batch part counts, conveyor speed, robot position status, and quality defect tracking on a single screen without requiring the operator to navigate away during a production run. The dual touch and hardware key operation means a gloved assembly worker can acknowledge alarms or trigger a manual jog without removing protective gear.

Pharmaceutical and food processing facilities use the TP1500 Comfort for batch recipe control and in-process parameter monitoring, where the ATEX Zone 2 certification allows installation in areas classified as potentially explosive atmospheres (Category 3). Analog-resistive touch remains hygienic under cleaning protocols that would destroy a capacitive screen. The 24 MB memory accommodates full batch record logs and multi-screen recipe navigation simultaneously.

Water treatment and chemical processing operators rely on the historical trend viewing and operator shift log capability supported by the panel's logging memory, providing the regulatory documentation trail that compliance frameworks require. Multi-tank level and pressure dashboards are a natural fit for the 15.4-inch screen width.

Discrete manufacturing and high-speed production supervision benefit from the real-time throughput display, energy consumption trending, and predictive maintenance alert integration that the TP1500 Comfort supports when linked to PLC diagnostic data. The 40 hardware buttons enable emergency stop override and manual jog control without relying on touch screen accuracy under operator stress conditions.

Application Typical Deployment
Automotive assembly Station HMI for batch counts, robot status, defect tracking via PROFINET to S7-1500
Pharmaceutical batch processing Recipe execution and in-process parameter logging; ATEX Zone 2 area installation
Water treatment Multi-tank level and pressure dashboard with historical trends and operator shift logs
Beverage filling lines Tank level, temperature, bottle detection, line speed override; gloved operator environment
Chemical process facilities Reactor temperature profiles, feed rates, batch timing, emergency stop interlocks
High-speed production supervision Throughput, energy consumption, and PLC diagnostic fault prediction display

Purchase-Decision Specifications: What the Datasheet Numbers Mean in Practice

Specification Value
Display 15.4-inch widescreen TFT, 1280 x 800 pixels, 16.7 million colors
Touch Screen Analog-resistive, pressure-sensitive; functions through thin gloves and wet conditions
User Input 40 direct touch soft keys plus 40 direct hardware buttons
Backlight LED dimmable 0–100%; MTBF 80,000 hours
User Memory 24 MB Flash and RAM available to user
Power Supply 24 V DC nominal; 19.2 to 28.8 V permissible range
Power Consumption 1.7 A rated; 41 W typical active power; 0.5 A²s inrush
Communication 2x Gigabit Ethernet (PROFINET IRT/MRP switch); 1x RS422/485 (PROFIBUS-DP, MPI); 2x USB 2.0; 2x SD card slots
Operating Temperature 0 to 50°C vertical; 0 to 40°C tilted or portrait without external ventilation
IP Rating IP65 front (dust and water jet resistant); IP20 rear

Full technical specifications are available on the product page at LeadTime.ca.

6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 vs. KP1500 Comfort vs. TP1500 Standard: Which One Do You Actually Need?

Feature TP1500 Comfort — 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 KP1500 Comfort — 6AV2124-1QC02-0AX1 TP1500 Standard — 6AV2124-2GF03-0AX0
Display 15.4-inch TFT touch screen 15.4-inch TFT (no touch) 15.4-inch TFT touch screen
Operation Mode Touch + 40 hardware keys Hardware keys only Touch + hardware keys
PROFINET (IRT, MRP) Yes Yes No
PROFIBUS-DP Yes Yes Yes
MPI / RS485 Yes Yes No
Price Range (CAD) $2,500–$3,200 $2,400–$3,000 $2,000–$2,500
Best For Frequent parameter changes; multi-protocol networks Dusty, wet, or hygiene-critical environments PROFIBUS-only legacy networks; cost-constrained projects

The KP1500 Comfort (6AV2124-1QC02-0AX1) is slower for input-intensive workflows but the preferred choice in dusty or high-moisture environments where touch screen reliability degrades. The TP1500 Standard (6AV2124-2GF03-0AX0) saves 15 to 20 percent on unit cost for projects where PROFINET is not in the network architecture. If your system runs PROFINET and demands dual-mode touch and key operation, the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 is the correct choice — check current availability at LeadTime.ca.

Expert Verdict: Honest Assessment for Integrators and Procurement

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 earns its position as a workhorse HMI for mid-to-large automation projects where protocol flexibility is a genuine requirement, not a nice-to-have. The combination of PROFINET with IRT and MRP, PROFIBUS-DP, and MPI on one device means it integrates into the widest range of installed Siemens controller environments without additional hardware or middleware — a concrete time and cost advantage during commissioning. The analog-resistive touch with 40 hardware keys is not a compromise; it is a deliberate design choice that pays off in any application where operators wear gloves, work near liquids, or where touch screen failure cannot be tolerated as a single point of failure. The ATEX Zone 2 and IECEx Zone 2 certifications, alongside CE, cULus, RCM, KC, and EAC, give global plant engineers a single panel that clears compliance hurdles across multiple markets without re-engineering the cabinet for regional certification variants.

Where this model has real limits: the analog-resistive screen requires more deliberate press force than modern capacitive panels, which can feel outdated to operators trained on consumer touchscreens. The 24 MB user memory, while adequate for 50 to 100 typical screens, is a constraint that must be pre-calculated on projects with dense alarm logging or high-frequency data recording — do not assume it is unlimited. The IP20 rear rating means the back of the panel requires sealed cable entry management; it is not a panel for rear-exposed or open-back enclosure deployments. If your application is exclusively PROFINET and you do not need PROFIBUS or MPI, the cost savings from the TP1500 Standard are real and worth evaluating. If the application is exclusively key operation in a high-washdown environment, the KP1500 Comfort is a more durable long-term choice.

On the procurement side, the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 is a current-generation part with active distribution support. Lead times of 1 to 4 weeks are realistic for standard configurations through established channels. Volume orders of 5 or more units typically qualify for negotiated pricing. Note that the reworked variant 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 is backward-compatible as a spare part and uses the same programming environment if sourced as a replacement. If this matches your system requirements, view current stock and pricing at LeadTime.ca.

For volume pricing or to confirm lead time before committing to a build, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we ship worldwide.

Wiring and Installation Overview

  • Power input requires 24 V DC at 19.2 to 28.8 V permissible range with a sustained supply capacity of at least 1.7 A; install a soft-start or time-delay fuse (3 to 5 A) in the positive supply line to absorb the 0.5 A²s cold-start inrush without nuisance trips
  • PROFINET connection uses Cat5e or higher shielded RJ45 from PLC to HMI Ethernet Port 1 (independent master port); avoid routing parallel to high-current motor power cables or unshielded VFD lines to prevent EMC interference
  • PROFIBUS-DP and MPI connect via the combined RS422/485 interface on the 6-pin DIN connector; PROFIBUS segments require bus termination at both line ends and verified baud rate match with the PLC network configuration
  • Panel mounting must maintain vertical portrait or landscape orientation; maximum 35-degree tilt angle is permitted without external forced ventilation — exceeding this angle or ambient temperatures above 40°C in tilted orientation requires a cabinet cooling fan
  • Front face achieves IP65 sealing against dust and water jets; rear of panel is rated IP20 only — all rear cable entries require sealed glands, and the panel rear must not be exposed to wet or high-dust environments

Compatible Interfaces and System Expansion

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 supports the following interfaces and accessories confirmed in the product documentation:

  • SD card slots (x2): support up to 128 MB Multimedia Cards for extended data logging, project backup, and recipe file storage beyond internal memory
  • USB 2.0 ports (x2): connect USB storage media for project transfer, backup and restore operations, and peripheral device access during commissioning
  • TIA Portal with WinCC Basic or WinCC Comfort: required engineering software on the commissioning PC for screen project development, PROFINET device configuration, and online diagnostics — no third-party HMI development tool is compatible for full-feature project creation
  • PROFINET IRT and MRP: supports ring topology with Media Redundancy Protocol for high-availability network configurations where network failure must not interrupt HMI operation
  • GSDML device description file: required import into TIA Portal when configuring the HMI as a PROFINET device node; available from the Siemens support portal

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist Before You Order

Before placing an order for the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1, verify each of the following against your project documentation and site conditions:

  1. Confirm part number matches datasheet as 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 (not 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 which is newer reworked variant) or KP1500 variant (key operation vs. touch).
  2. Verify DC voltage supply available is 24 V nominal (19.2 to 28.8 V permissible range) before ordering; AC-only power requires external converter.
  3. Check protocol requirements: this model supports PROFINET, PROFIBUS-DP, and MPI; if only PROFINET required, lower-cost variants available.
  4. Confirm display real estate: 15.4-inch widescreen (1280 x 800 pixel) is adequate for application complexity; if dense multi-screen layouts needed, may require larger model.
  5. Verify mounting space allows vertical installation (portrait or landscape) with max 35-degree tilt angle for thermal management without forced cooling.
  6. Ensure cabinet layout accommodates front IP65 and rear IP20 rating; panel cutout and seal requirements must match datasheet dimensions.

If any of the above items raises a flag, contact the LeadTime.ca team before ordering — we can confirm the correct variant for your configuration and check current stock worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 support PROFINET and PROFIBUS simultaneously on the same panel?

Yes. The TP1500 Comfort has two Gigabit Ethernet ports for PROFINET (including IRT and MRP) and a separate combined RS422/485 interface that supports PROFIBUS-DP and MPI independently. This allows a single panel to communicate with both a PROFINET-connected S7-1500 and a legacy PROFIBUS S7-300 or S7-400 controller without any additional gateway hardware.

Is 24 MB of user memory sufficient for a large automation project?

For most manufacturing and process automation projects running 50 to 100 screens with alarm logging and trend history, 24 MB is adequate. Memory demand increases significantly with high-frequency data logging, large image libraries, or complex recipe management. Pre-calculating screen count and alarm buffer requirements before finalizing the panel selection is the reliable approach; if the project exceeds this envelope, a larger-memory variant should be evaluated.

What is the difference between the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 and the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2?

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 is a newer reworked variant of the same TP1500 Comfort platform. It is backward-compatible as a spare part and uses the same programming environment (TIA Portal, WinCC Comfort). If you are sourcing a replacement for an installed 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1, the AX2 variant can substitute directly — confirm with your distributor or the LeadTime.ca team before finalizing the order.

What certifications does the TP1500 Comfort carry for hazardous area installations?

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 holds ATEX Zone 2 certification (Category 3) and IECEx Zone 2 certification, making it suitable for potentially explosive atmospheres where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors are not likely to occur under normal operation. It is not certified for ATEX Zone 1 use. Verify the specific zone classification of your installation area against the datasheet before specifying this panel for hazardous locations.

What are typical lead times for the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 and is expedited shipping available?

Standard lead times through major distribution channels range from 1 to 4 weeks depending on stock availability and order volume. Expedited overnight shipping is available through specialized distributors for in-stock configurations. For time-critical projects, verify stock status directly with the distributor before finalizing your project timeline. LeadTime.ca sources globally and can confirm current availability — check current stock here.

Can the TP1500 Comfort be used without TIA Portal, or is third-party HMI software supported?

Full-feature project development for the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 requires TIA Portal with WinCC Basic or WinCC Comfort on the engineering PC. This software provides the drag-and-drop screen builder, PROFINET device configuration, online diagnostics, and project transfer toolchain. Third-party HMI development tools are not confirmed as compatible for full-feature project creation on this panel.

Why Source the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 Through LeadTime.ca

  • LeadTime.ca ships worldwide — no regional restrictions on sourcing or delivery
  • Stocks hard-to-find industrial automation parts including current and legacy Siemens HMI variants
  • Volume pricing available for orders of 5 or more units; contact the team directly for negotiated rates
  • Fast response to quote requests — useful when project timelines require stock confirmation before finalizing a BOM
  • Can source and confirm the correct variant (including the reworked 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 if the AX1 is the replacement application)

At-a-Glance Summary

  • Model: 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX1 — SIMATIC HMI TP1500 Comfort Panel, 15.4-inch widescreen TFT
  • Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels, 16.7 million colors; analog-resistive touch (glove and wet-hand capable)
  • User inputs: 40 direct touch soft keys plus 40 direct hardware buttons for dual-mode operation
  • Memory: 24 MB Flash and RAM available to user; supports 50 to 100-plus screens with alarm logging
  • Power: 24 V DC nominal (19.2 to 28.8 V); 1.7 A rated; 41 W typical active power; 0.5 A²s inrush
  • Protocols: PROFINET with IRT and MRP; PROFIBUS-DP; MPI — all on one unit, no external gateway required
  • Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet (switch topology); 1x RS422/485 (6-pin DIN); 2x USB 2.0; 2x SD card slots (up to 128 MB)
  • IP rating: IP65 front, IP20 rear; max 35-degree tilt without forced ventilation
  • Operating temperature: 0 to 50°C vertical; 0 to 40°C tilted or portrait without external ventilation
  • Certifications: CE, cULus, RCM, KC, EAC, ATEX Zone 2, IECEx Zone 2
  • Indicative price range: CAD $2,500 to $3,200 depending on volume and distributor
  • Typical lead time: 1 to 4 weeks; expedited shipping available for in-stock configurations