Siemens launches next generation of Sinamics G drives

Siemens has launched the next generation of its Sinamics G drives, creating a unified and scalable platform tailored for continuous-motion applications. Designed to address the simultaneous demands of productivity, energy efficiency, and flexibility, the new portfolio introduces a consistent approach to engineering and operation. This unified foundation aims to reduce development times, manage product variants, and simplify commissioning for machine builders and plant operators.

Cybersecurity and integrated safety
Built around the principle of "Security by Design," the new generation of drives is prepared for the upcoming EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). The systems provide built-in cybersecurity capabilities up to Security Level Capability 2 (SL-C 2) as defined by the IEC 62443-4-2 standard. Working in tandem with these cyber protections, the platform features integrated safety functions up to Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL3), ensuring a high degree of functional safety to protect personnel, machinery, and plant assets from physical operational hazards.

Digital integration and portfolio expansion
Digitalization is deeply embedded into the platform through seamless integration with the TIA Portal, an integrated web server, and standard Ethernet-based OPC UA communication. This connectivity allows drive and operational data to be efficiently leveraged for condition monitoring, asset management, and predictive maintenance. The newly introduced models—the general-purpose Sinamics G200, the highly compact G210C, the versatile G210, and the infrastructure-focused G210X—join the high-end G220 (introduced in 2023) to complete a comprehensive portfolio tailored for pumps, fans, compressors, and complex positioning tasks.

Additional Context: IEC 62443 and SIL3 in modern drive technology
This section details cybersecurity and functional safety standards not included in the original press release.

In modern industrial automation, the convergence of Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) has made Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) critical vectors for cyberattacks. Achieving Security Level Capability 2 (SL-C 2) under the IEC 62443-4-2 standard means the drive possesses intrinsic defenses against intentional cyber threats from adversaries with basic skills and resources, utilizing features like role-based access control (RBAC), secure boot, and encrypted communications. Simultaneously, reaching Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL3) for functional safety requires complex hardware redundancy and continuous internal diagnostics. In a SIL3-rated drive, safety sub-functions like Safe Torque Off (STO) or Safely-Limited Speed (SLS) are executed by dual-channel microprocessors that cross-check each other in real-time. If a discrepancy is detected, the drive automatically forces the motor into a safe state, virtually eliminating the probability of dangerous hidden hardware failures that could lead to uncommanded motion.

Edited by an industrial journalist, Lekshman Ramdas, with AI assistance.

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