Siemens 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 — ET 200SP PROFINET IM 155-6PN/2 HF Review


By Abdullah Zahid
12 min read

Siemens 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 IM 155-6PN/2 High Feature PROFINET interface module for ET 200SP distributed I/O system

Siemens 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 — SIMATIC ET 200SP, PROFINET, 2-Port Interface Module IM 155-6PN/2 High Feature: Specifications, Redundancy, and System Integration

Controls engineers evaluating PROFINET distributed I/O for a new or retrofit automation system arrive at this page because one question remains open: is the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 the right interface module, or is a simpler single-port Standard variant sufficient? That decision turns on three real constraints — whether your architecture requires S2 network redundancy, whether isochronous timing down to 250 microseconds matters for your process, and whether you need the full 64-module I/O capacity. This is the SIMATIC ET 200SP, PROFINET, 2-port interface module IM 155-6PN/2 High Feature: a High-Feature dual-port PROFINET interface module with an integrated 2-port Ethernet switch, S2 redundancy support, isochronous equidistance mode with 1 microsecond max jitter, and a 24 V DC supply with integrated reverse polarity and short-circuit protection.

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

Who Should Buy the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 — and Who Should Not

This module is the correct choice for engineers building or upgrading ET 200SP distributed I/O stations where network reliability, timing precision, and maximum I/O density are all non-negotiable. It is specifically right for you if:

  • Your system requires PROFINET real-time Ethernet as the network protocol — not PROFIBUS, DeviceNet, or a non-networked interface
  • You need S2 redundancy for dual-path failover on critical production lines operating 24/7
  • Your I/O count exceeds 32 modules per station — this module supports up to 64 ET 200SP I/O modules plus 16 ET 200AL auxiliary modules per interface
  • Isochronous equidistance mode (250 microsecond minimum cycle, 1 microsecond max jitter) is required for synchronized multi-station operations
  • Your maintenance strategy relies on multi-hot-swap — inserting or removing I/O modules at runtime without stopping the controller
  • Your engineering team uses STEP 7 TIA Portal V15.1 or later

If your application is non-redundant, your I/O count stays under 32 modules per station, and isochronous synchronization is not a requirement, the single-port Standard variant (IM 155-6PN/1 Standard) is a more cost-effective fit. Confirm your architecture before ordering.

On this page:

What the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 Actually Does in a Running System

The 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 is the gateway between your ET 200SP modular I/O rack and the PROFINET real-time Ethernet network. It does not process logic — that remains in the PLC CPU. Its job is to translate backplane bus communication from the I/O modules into PROFINET frames at deterministic timing, then deliver those frames upstream to the controller through one or both Ethernet ports depending on your network topology. With isochronous equidistance mode enabled, that cycle runs as fast as 250 microseconds with jitter not exceeding 1 microsecond — which is what multi-axis motion or high-speed assembly line synchronization actually demands.

The integrated 2-port Ethernet switch is a structural advantage worth quantifying. It eliminates the need for an external Ethernet switch at the field cabinet level, reducing your hardware bill of materials and freeing cabinet space — estimated at 10 to 15 percent reduction in BOM cost and space for that specific hardware line item. The module accepts a 24 V DC supply in the range of 19.2 to 28.8 V DC, draws a maximum of 700 mA, and provides 10 ms of mains buffering on voltage failure — enough for a graceful shutdown that protects I/O state and prevents uncontrolled device behavior. Integrated reverse polarity and short-circuit protection mean a miswired DC rail will not damage the module.

This module replaces both the legacy IM 155-6PN/1 HF and the IM 155-6PN/2 MF, consolidating predecessor functionality into a single unified High-Feature interface. The previous single-port model (6ES7155-6AU00-0CN0) reached end-of-life in October 2023. Current firmware version is V4.2, supported from hardware functional status FS02 onward.

Where This Module Sits in Your PROFINET System Architecture

The 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 occupies the leftmost position of the ET 200SP station, serving as the single point of connection between the PROFINET network and all downstream I/O modules on the backplane. It is neither the PLC CPU nor an I/O module — it is the station head and the network termination point.

  • PROFINET controller (Siemens S7-1500 CPU or equivalent) connects to the plant Ethernet network upstream
  • The 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 connects to that network via RJ45 ports on the BusAdapter (ordered separately), acting as a PROFINET device from the controller's perspective
  • The integrated 2-port switch allows daisy-chaining to the next ET 200SP station or to a second redundant network path via S2 topology
  • ET 200SP I/O modules (up to 64) mount to the right of the interface module on the backplane, communicating via ET-Connection
  • ET 200AL auxiliary modules (up to 16) extend the I/O range further downstream without requiring additional interface modules

Industries and Applications Where This Module Is Deployed

Automotive manufacturing accounts for a significant share of deployments. Multi-station assembly lines use the isochronous mode and S2 redundancy features to maintain sub-millisecond synchronization across distributed I/O racks — critical when weld controllers, conveyor drives, and vision systems must operate from the same timing reference.

In food and beverage and pharmaceutical production, multi-hot-swap capability directly reduces downtime during product changeovers. I/O modules can be pulled and reinserted at runtime while the controller continues executing — no planned shutdown required. This is particularly relevant in facilities with frequent recipe or format changes.

Retrofit projects replacing legacy single-port PROFINET interfaces in existing ET 200SP systems are a natural fit: the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 is the direct functional successor to the IM 155-6PN/1 HF and IM 155-6PN/2 MF, with backward compatibility through TIA Portal V15.1 and GSDML V2.34 support for third-party PROFINET device integration.

Remote plant facilities with harsh electrical environments benefit from the 1,500 V AC isolation between PROFINET circuits and all other circuits, plus the integrated short-circuit and reverse polarity protection — reducing the risk of hardware damage from field wiring errors or transient events on the DC supply rail.

Application Typical Deployment
Multi-station automotive assembly line S2 redundancy + isochronous mode for synchronized distributed I/O across multiple ET 200SP stations
Pharmaceutical batch processing Multi-hot-swap for I/O module changes during product changeovers without line shutdown
Food and beverage packaging High I/O density (up to 64 modules) handling complex multi-zone conveyor and filling control
Legacy ET 200SP retrofit Direct replacement for end-of-life IM 155-6PN/1 HF or IM 155-6PN/2 MF single-port interfaces
Remote facility with EMI exposure 1,500 V AC PROFINET isolation and reverse polarity protection for harsh DC supply environments
High-availability conveyor or material handling Dual-port integrated switch eliminates external Ethernet hardware; S2 failover prevents single-path downtime

Purchase-Decision Specifications and Variant Comparison

Parameter Value
Supply Voltage (Rated) 24 V DC (19.2–28.8 V DC permissible range)
Max Current Consumption 700 mA
Mains Buffering 10 ms
PROFINET Ports 2 × RJ45 via BusAdapter (integrated 2-port switch)
PROFINET Isolation 1,500 V AC (type test)
Max ET 200SP I/O Modules 64
Max ET 200AL Modules 16
Isochronous Cycle (Min) 250 microseconds (max jitter: 1 microsecond)
Operating Temperature (Horizontal) -30 °C to +60 °C
Dimensions (W × H × D) 50 mm × 117 mm × 74 mm, approx. 120 g (without BusAdapter)

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

Feature 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 (IM 155-6PN/2 HF) IM 155-6PN/1 Standard (Single-Port)
PROFINET Ports 2 (integrated switch) 1
Max I/O Modules 64 ET 200SP + 16 ET 200AL 32 ET 200SP
S2 Redundancy Yes No
Isochronous Mode Yes (250 µs min cycle, 1 µs jitter) No
Multi-Hot-Swap Yes No
BusAdapter Required Yes (purchased separately) Yes (purchased separately)
TIA Portal Support V15.1 and later V15.1 and later
Relative Cost Higher Lower

If your architecture requires S2 redundancy, isochronous real-time determinism, or more than 32 I/O modules per station, the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 is the correct choice — check current availability and pricing at LeadTime.ca.

Expert Verdict: Honest Assessment for Controls Engineers

The 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 is genuinely well-suited to high-density, high-availability ET 200SP stations where a single interface module needs to carry the full weight of a complex distributed I/O architecture. The combination of 64-module capacity, S2 dual-path redundancy, 250 microsecond isochronous timing, and the integrated 2-port switch is not marketing positioning — these are specifications that meaningfully differentiate this module from the Standard single-port variant and from predecessor models that required separate external switch hardware. The multi-hot-swap capability and tool changer compatibility add real operational value in manufacturing environments that cannot afford planned downtime for I/O maintenance.

Where this module is not the right fit: if your I/O station has fewer than 32 modules, operates in a non-redundant single-network topology, and does not require sub-millisecond cycle synchronization, the IM 155-6PN/1 Standard variant is the honest recommendation. You pay for capabilities you do not use in the High-Feature variant. Similarly, if your existing infrastructure is non-Siemens and PROFINET is not already the plant network protocol, the integration overhead is a real consideration — not a fatal one, but a cost to plan for. Also note that the BusAdapter is not included and must be ordered separately — a common omission that creates delays when a purchase order is placed without it.

On the procurement side, the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 is currently in active production with an established supply chain. Typical lead times run 2 to 6 weeks depending on distributor stock position and order volume. The module has been in production since the SIMATIC ET 200SP line launched in 2015 and carries current firmware version V4.2 with hardware functional status FS02 as the minimum baseline — factors that indicate a stable, mature product with a long service horizon ahead. 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

  • Mount the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 in the first (leftmost) slot of the ET 200SP rack on a standard DIN rail; the BusAdapter must be secured to the module before connecting Ethernet cables to the RJ45 ports
  • Connect the 24 V DC supply within the 19.2 to 28.8 V DC permissible range; integrated reverse polarity protection is present, but correct polarity wiring should be confirmed before energizing — total supply capacity should account for 700 mA interface module consumption plus all I/O module loads with a recommended 20 percent margin
  • Connect PROFINET cables to both BusAdapter RJ45 ports for S2 redundant topology; for non-redundant use, a single port connection is sufficient, but both ports are available for daisy-chain network extension
  • The 1,500 V AC isolation between the PROFINET circuit and all other circuits is integrated; cable shielding is recommended for long PROFINET cable runs in EMI-heavy environments per industrial Ethernet cabling best practices
  • Verify all four LED indicators (RUN, ERROR, MAINT, PWR) and BusAdapter LINK TX/RX LEDs are visible and accessible after installation; these are the primary commissioning and diagnostic reference points before TIA Portal diagnostics are available

Compatible Modules and System Expansion

The 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 operates as the station head for the SIMATIC ET 200SP distributed I/O system. The following components are directly relevant to configuring a complete, functional station:

  • BusAdapter (purchased separately) — required to access the 2 PROFINET RJ45 ports; without it, the Ethernet ports on the interface module are not accessible
  • ET 200SP I/O modules — digital and analog input/output modules mounted directly to the right of the interface module on the backplane, up to a maximum of 64 per interface
  • ET 200AL supplementary modules — up to 16 per interface, extending the I/O range without adding additional interface modules, supporting complex production architectures that need more analog or specialized I/O channels beyond the standard ET 200SP module range
  • Server module — required at the far right of the ET 200SP station to terminate the backplane bus
  • STEP 7 TIA Portal V15.1 or later — required for configuration, GSDML V2.34 file import enables integration with third-party PROFINET devices on the same network

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist Before You Order

Before submitting a purchase order for the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0, verify each of the following against your project documentation:

  1. Confirm PROFINET real-time Ethernet requirement (not DeviceNet, PROFIBUS, or non-networked)
  2. Verify ET 200SP base unit availability and firmware compatibility (FS02 or later required)
  3. Check whether S2 redundancy and dual-port architecture actually needed (vs. single-port Standard variant)
  4. Ensure 24 V DC supply rail sized for 700 mA max consumption plus margin
  5. Confirm BusAdapter availability (required separately for 2-port connection)
  6. Verify that maximum 64 I/O modules + 16 ET 200AL modules matches your I/O count projection
  7. Check that multi-hot-swap capability aligns with maintenance uptime requirements (not all applications need runtime modularity)

If any item on this list cannot be confirmed, contact the LeadTime.ca team before ordering — our technical team can help validate your part selection and confirm BusAdapter compatibility before your purchase order is submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 include the BusAdapter, or is that ordered separately?

The BusAdapter is a separate component and is not included with the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0. Without the BusAdapter, the 2 PROFINET RJ45 ports are not accessible. Confirm the BusAdapter part number and add it to your purchase order before submitting. This is one of the most common order omissions on first-time ET 200SP builds.

What is the difference between the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 and the 6ES7155-6AU00-0CN0?

The 6ES7155-6AU00-0CN0 is the predecessor single-port model that reached end-of-life in October 2023. The 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 is the current High-Feature 2-port successor, adding S2 redundancy support, isochronous equidistance mode, and increased I/O module capacity (64 vs. 32 modules). If you are retrofitting a system that previously used the 6ES7155-6AU00-0CN0, the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 is the direct replacement with expanded capability.

Which version of TIA Portal is required to configure the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0?

STEP 7 TIA Portal V15.1 or later is required. The module uses GSDML V2.34 for integration with non-Siemens PROFINET controllers or devices on the same network. Firmware version V4.2 is current, and firmware updates can be applied through TIA Portal.

Can the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 operate in a non-redundant single-network topology?

Yes. S2 redundancy is a supported feature, not a mandatory one. The module can operate with a single PROFINET network path connected to one BusAdapter port. S2 redundancy must be explicitly enabled in TIA Portal configuration — it is not active by default. If single-path operation is all your system requires, the lower-cost IM 155-6PN/1 Standard variant may be a better fit.

What is the maximum isochronous cycle time supported by this module?

The isochronous equidistance minimum cycle time is 250 microseconds, with a maximum cycle time of 4 ms. Maximum jitter is 1 microsecond. If isochronous mode timing failures occur during commissioning, the recommended first steps are to reduce the I/O cycle time setting in TIA Portal and verify that PROFINET network utilization is below 80 percent.

What happens to the ET 200SP station during a power supply interruption?

The 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 provides 10 ms of mains buffering on voltage failure. This stored energy supports a graceful shutdown sequence that protects I/O state and prevents uncontrolled device operation. The integrated reverse polarity and short-circuit protection prevent hardware damage from miswiring events on the 24 V DC supply rail.

Why Order From LeadTime.ca

  • LeadTime.ca ships industrial automation components worldwide — no geographic restriction on orders
  • Our team can confirm stock position, lead time, and BusAdapter compatibility before your purchase order is submitted
  • Volume pricing is available — contact us directly for project-quantity quotes on the 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 and associated ET 200SP components
  • Hard-to-source or short-lead-time industrial automation components are a core focus — we track availability across supply channels to give you accurate lead time commitments

At-a-Glance Summary

  • Model: Siemens 6ES7155-6AU01-0CN0 — SIMATIC ET 200SP, PROFINET, 2-port interface module IM 155-6PN/2 High Feature
  • Network: PROFINET IEC 61158-2, 2-port integrated Ethernet switch via BusAdapter (not included), 1,500 V AC isolation
  • I/O Capacity: Up to 64 ET 200SP I/O modules + 16 ET 200AL auxiliary modules + 256 submodules total per station
  • Isochronous Performance: 250 microsecond minimum cycle, 4 ms maximum cycle, 1 microsecond max jitter
  • Redundancy: S2 dual-path PROFINET failover supported
  • Supply: 24 V DC (19.2–28.8 V DC), 700 mA max, 10 ms mains buffering, reverse polarity and short-circuit protection integrated
  • Dimensions: 50 mm × 117 mm × 74 mm, approximately 120 g without BusAdapter
  • Operating Temperature: -30 °C to +60 °C (horizontal), -30 °C to +50 °C (vertical)
  • TIA Portal Support: V15.1 and later, GSDML V2.34, current firmware V4.2 from FS02 hardware status
  • Replaces: IM 155-6PN/1 HF, IM 155-6PN/2 MF, and end-of-life 6ES7155-6AU00-0CN0 (EOL October 2023)
  • BusAdapter: Must be ordered separately — confirm part number before submitting purchase order