Siemens 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 — TP1500 Comfort Panel Buying Guide

By Abdullah Zahid
10 min read
Siemens 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 SIMATIC HMI TP1500 Comfort 15.4-inch touchscreen panel for industrial process control

Siemens 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 TP1500 Comfort Panel — Specs, Pricing, and Alternatives Guide

Controls engineers specifying a 15-inch industrial HMI for a mixed PROFINET and PROFIBUS environment are typically looking at one decision: whether the TP1500 Comfort handles the protocol bridge without adding hardware, or whether a different panel size makes more sense for the cabinet. The Siemens 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2, officially the SIMATIC HMI TP1500 Comfort, is a 15.4-inch widescreen resistive touch panel running on a 24V DC supply, rated IP65 front, and certified ATEX Zone 2/22 — making it one of the few panels in this class that enters a hazardous-area production line without a secondary enclosure upgrade.

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

Who Should Buy the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 — and Who Shouldn't

This panel is the right choice for engineers who need a large-format operator interface with simultaneous PROFINET and legacy PROFIBUS DP or MPI connectivity in a single unit. Buy it when all of the following are true:

  • Your cabinet has space for a 15.4-inch widescreen cutout and your operators benefit from the 1280x800 resolution at distance
  • Your installation uses both PROFINET and MPI/PROFIBUS DP — the dual-interface design eliminates the need for adapter cards
  • Your supply rail is 24V DC and can hold 19.2–28.8V DC tolerance under load (nominal draw is 1.7A)
  • Your operating environment is 0–45°C in vertical mount, or 0–40°C in portrait or tilted orientation
  • Your facility classification is ATEX Zone 2 or Zone 22 — the panel is certified for both without additional enclosure shielding
  • You are working within TIA Portal using WinCC Professional and want native software ecosystem support

If your display requirement is 7 or 12 inches, the TP700 or TP1200 Comfort are the correct alternatives and reduce both panel real estate and cost. If PROFIBUS support is not in your topology, smaller or fixed-I/O panels remove unnecessary features.

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What the TP1500 Comfort Actually Does in Your Control System

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 is the operator communication layer between automated equipment and the humans running it. PLCs, VFDs, drives, and field sensors pass their live data to the panel; operators see real-time process values, alarm states, trend charts, and production metrics on a 15.4-inch widescreen display with 1280x800 resolution and 16 million colors. Commands go back the same way — manual setpoint changes, recipe selection, acknowledgment of alarms — all via the 5-point resistive touch interface without a keyboard or mouse in the loop.

What separates this panel from lower-tier HMIs in the same size class is the pre-integrated dual-interface architecture. PROFINET handles communication to modern S7-1200 and S7-1500 PLCs; MPI and PROFIBUS DP remain live on the same unit for legacy S7-300 and S7-400 installations. Engineers retrofitting older lines do not need a protocol converter or gateway — the TP1500 Comfort is already wired for both. The X86 processor handles 24 MB of user data storage, and the 2x SD card slots provide a straightforward path for configuration backup and log archiving.

Typical System Architecture for the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 sits at the operator interface layer, sitting between the PLC/controller layer above and the field device layer below, receiving process data upstream and forwarding operator commands downstream.

  • Engineering workstation running TIA Portal with WinCC Professional pushes HMI project files to the TP1500 Comfort via PROFINET
  • S7-1500 or S7-1200 PLC communicates with the TP1500 Comfort over PROFINET for real-time tag exchange
  • Legacy S7-300 or S7-400 PLCs communicate simultaneously over the MPI/PROFIBUS DP port — no additional gateway hardware required
  • Field devices (sensors, drives, VFDs) report status through the PLC layer; operators interact with live values through the TP1500 Comfort touchscreen
  • SD cards and USB 2.0 ports provide local data backup, firmware updates, and recipe file transfers directly at the panel

Industries and Applications Where the TP1500 Comfort Is Deployed

Automotive assembly lines use the TP1500 Comfort as the primary station HMI where operators acknowledge alarms, adjust torque setpoints, and monitor production counts — the 15.4-inch display is readable at arm's length and the IP65 front rating handles wash-down and dust without a secondary enclosure gasket upgrade.

Pharmaceutical and chemical batch processing facilities are a natural fit because of the ATEX Zone 2 and Zone 22 certification. Areas where explosive powders or vapors may be present during abnormal conditions can use the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 directly rather than specifying an additional purged enclosure, which reduces installation cost and simplifies zone documentation.

Water and wastewater treatment plants running aging PROFIBUS DP I/O infrastructure are one of the most common retrofit scenarios. The panel replaces a text-based terminal or aging OP panel while the existing PROFIBUS cabling and remote I/O stay in place. No rewiring, no field device replacement — the TP1500 Comfort handles both protocol generations natively.

Food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, HVAC pump stations, metals processing, and energy distribution rounding out the typical deployment landscape — any environment where the 0–45°C operating range and 24V DC supply are met and where a large-format operator screen improves workflow clarity.

Application Typical Deployment
Legacy PLC retrofit Replaces text terminal while retaining existing PROFIBUS DP I/O cards and field wiring
Hazardous-area production (powder/grain) Installed directly in ATEX Zone 2 or Zone 22 classified areas without purged enclosure
Pharmaceutical batch control Recipe management and batch reporting at main process station with alarm acknowledgment
Automotive assembly Station HMI for torque control, production count display, and fault acknowledgment
Water and wastewater treatment Supervisory panel for pump stations running mixed PROFINET and PROFIBUS DP networks
Beverage and food processing Process visualization and setpoint management in wash-down environments behind IP65 front

Purchase-Decision Specs and Variant Comparison

Parameter Specification
Display size 15.4-inch widescreen
Resolution 1280 x 800 pixels, 16M colors
Touch interface 5-point resistive touch
Power supply 24V DC only, nominal 1.7A, 19.2–28.8V DC tolerance
Communication interfaces PROFINET + MPI/PROFIBUS DP (dual), 1x RS-485/RS-422 (combined), 2x USB 2.0
User data storage 24 MB onboard; 2x SD card slots
Processor X86
Front protection rating IP65
Operating temperature 0–45°C (vertical); 0–40°C (portrait/tilted)
ATEX certification Zone 2 and Zone 22

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

Model Display Size PROFIBUS DP / MPI ATEX Zone 2/22 Best For
6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 (TP1500 Comfort) 15.4-inch widescreen Yes Yes Large-format operator station with legacy protocol bridge
TP1200 Comfort 12-inch Yes (family standard) Varies by SKU Space-constrained panel doors with moderate display needs
TP700 Comfort 7-inch Yes (family standard) Varies by SKU Compact machine-mounted HMI, lower cost, smaller footprint

If your architecture uses both PROFINET and PROFIBUS DP and requires a 15.4-inch operator screen, the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 is the correct choice — check current availability at LeadTime.ca.

Expert Verdict: Honest Assessment Before You Commit

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 earns its specification on mixed-protocol sites. The pre-integrated PROFINET and MPI/PROFIBUS DP dual-interface is the strongest practical argument for this panel — it is genuinely the right tool for any engineer who would otherwise be sourcing a protocol gateway to bridge a legacy S7-300 PROFIBUS network with a new PROFINET segment. Pair that with the ATEX Zone 2 and Zone 22 certification, and the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 covers a deployment scenario that typically requires either a more expensive panel or additional protective hardware. The TIA Portal and WinCC Professional software compatibility is a real advantage for OEM machine builders and integrators who have already standardized on that toolchain — no secondary software license, no unfamiliar configuration environment.

Where it has real limits: the 24 MB onboard user data storage is tight for installations that log high-frequency alarm history or dense trend data over long periods. If your application generates large historian datasets, plan for SD card rotation or an external archiving path from day one rather than discovering it in commissioning. The operating temperature ceiling of 45°C in vertical mount also means this panel is not appropriate for unenclosed high-temperature environments — machinery near heat sources, outdoor cabinets in hot climates without cooling, or any setting where ambient could exceed that ceiling. For those environments, the thermal limits need to be addressed at the enclosure design stage. And if PROFIBUS DP is simply not in your network topology, the TP700 or TP1200 Comfort deliver the same Comfort series software ecosystem and IP65 front rating at smaller size and lower cost.

From a procurement standpoint, the TP1500 Comfort is an active, current-generation product in the SIMATIC HMI Comfort Panels V2 family with broad integrator and OEM support. Lead times on industrial HMI panels in this class vary by region and current demand — confirming stock before committing to a project timeline is always the right move. 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 for the TP1500 Comfort

The following covers key requirements and what to verify before installation. For full wiring procedures, consult the Siemens SIMATIC HMI TP1500 Comfort operating instructions and applicable TIA Portal documentation.

  • Power connection is 24V DC only — verify your supply rail holds within 19.2–28.8V DC tolerance under nominal 1.7A draw before energizing the panel
  • PROFINET connects via standard RJ45; MPI/PROFIBUS DP connects via the secondary interface port — both can be active simultaneously and are configured independently in TIA Portal
  • The combined RS-485/RS-422 port provides one serial channel — verify this meets your serial device count before installation; it cannot be split into two independent serial ports
  • Two USB 2.0 ports are available for project transfer, firmware updates, and peripheral connection — confirm USB device compatibility with the panel firmware version prior to field deployment
  • Mount orientation determines operating temperature ceiling: vertical installation allows up to 45°C ambient; portrait or tilted mounting reduces that ceiling to 40°C — confirm your cabinet orientation before finalizing thermal design

What Engineers Get Wrong When Ordering This Part

Before raising a purchase order, run through this checklist. Every item below corresponds to a real ordering error or post-installation mismatch that causes returns, project delays, or field failures.

  1. Verify input voltage is 24V DC only (NOT 24V AC or multi-voltage — this unit does not accept AC or variable input voltage supplies)
  2. Confirm PROFINET + MPI/PROFIBUS DP interface match your network topology (do not order if you only need Ethernet and have no legacy PLC ports)
  3. Check mounting format: 15.4-inch widescreen only (portrait and landscape both supported; confirm space fits your cabinet/frame)
  4. Validate operating temperature: 0–45°C vertical, 0–40°C portrait/tilted (NOT suitable for walk-in freezers, outdoor direct sun, or uncontrolled high-temp environments)
  5. Confirm ATEX compliance requirement: Only specified for Zone 2 and Zone 22; NOT rated for Zone 1 or Zone 0 hazardous areas
  6. Check RS-485 and USB needs: Only 1x RS-485 (combined RS-422/485) and 2x USB 2.0 ports — verify this is adequate for your sensor/device count
  7. Validate storage/transportation: -20 to 60°C range for unpowered transport; exceeding 45°C during operation causes thermal shutdown
  8. Assess memory: 24 MB user data storage is limited for large alarm/trend logs; check your historian and logging requirements

If any item on this checklist raises a question about fit, contact the LeadTime.ca team before ordering — we can help confirm the right variant for your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 communicate with both a PROFINET PLC and a legacy PROFIBUS DP PLC at the same time?

Yes. The dual-interface design allows PROFINET and MPI/PROFIBUS DP to operate simultaneously. This is the primary reason engineers select this panel for retrofit projects where an S7-1500 on PROFINET and an existing S7-300 on PROFIBUS DP both need to be on the same operator screen without a gateway device in the loop.

Is the 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 approved for use in Zone 1 explosive atmospheres?

No. The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 is certified for ATEX Zone 2 and Zone 22 only. Zone 1 and Zone 0 classified areas require a different panel specification or an appropriately rated purged and pressurized enclosure. Over-specifying Zone 1 equipment when Zone 2 is sufficient adds cost; under-specifying into Zone 1 with a Zone 2 panel is a compliance violation.

What software is required to configure and program this HMI panel?

The 6AV2124-0QC02-0AX2 is configured using TIA Portal with WinCC Professional. The panel's membership in the Comfort Panels V2 family means it works within the standard TIA Portal project workflow — the same environment used for S7-1200 and S7-1500 PLC programming, which reduces engineering overhead for shops already on that platform.

What happens if the ambient temperature exceeds 45°C during operation?

Exceeding the 45°C operating ceiling in vertical mount causes thermal shutdown. The 0–40°C ceiling applies to portrait and tilted orientations. Engineers specifying this panel in high-ambient environments need to account for cabinet cooling design before installation — the panel itself does not include an internal fan rated for supplemental cooling beyond its specified thermal envelope.

Is 24 MB of onboard user data storage sufficient for a typical HMI application?

For standard process visualization, setpoint management, and moderate alarm logging, 24 MB is functional. For applications with high-frequency trend logging, large alarm histories, or extended batch record retention, it is limiting. The 2x SD card slots are the intended expansion path — plan your archiving strategy before commissioning to avoid filling onboard memory and losing data.

Does the panel support both portrait and landscape mounting orientations?

Yes, both portrait and landscape orientations are supported. However, the operating temperature ceiling differs by orientation: 0–45°C is permitted in vertical (landscape) installation, and 0–40°C in portrait or tilted configurations. Confirm your cabinet layout and ambient temperature before finalizing the mounting orientation.

Why Order From LeadTime.ca

  • LeadTime.ca ships industrial automation parts worldwide — no regional restriction on quoting or fulfillment
  • Hard-to-source and current-production Siemens HMI panels are actively stocked and quoted — no waiting for distributor back-channel confirmation
  • Volume pricing available for OEM machine builders and panel shops — contact the team directly for project quantities
  • Fast quote response for procurement teams on tight project timelines who need lead-time confirmation before committing budget

At-a-Glance Summary

  • 15.4-inch widescreen display, 1280x800 resolution, 16M colors, 5-point resistive touch
  • Dual-interface: PROFINET and MPI/PROFIBUS DP active simultaneously — no gateway hardware required
  • 24V DC only supply, 1.7A nominal, 19.2–28.8V DC operating tolerance
  • IP65 front protection rating; ATEX Zone 2 and Zone 22 certified
  • Operating temperature: 0–45°C vertical; 0–40°C portrait/tilted; storage/transport -20 to 60°C
  • X86 processor, 24 MB user data storage, 2x SD card slots, 1x RS-485/RS-422, 2x USB 2.0
  • Configured via TIA Portal with WinCC Professional — native Comfort Panels V2 ecosystem
  • Primary use cases: legacy PROFIBUS retrofit, ATEX Zone 2 hazardous-area production, automotive assembly, pharmaceutical batch control, water/wastewater treatment