Migrating Simatic S5 to S7 or TIA Portal
Siemens S5 hardware has been end-of-life for years. Discover the three migration paths and what porting STEP 5 code means in practice.
Which S5 variants do we encounter most often?
The installed base is large, particularly in Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. Code complexity and spare parts availability differ per model.
| Model | Typical sectors |
|---|---|
| S5-90U / S5-95U | Compact machines, packaging |
| S5-100U | General automation, food |
| S5-115U | Injection moulding, plastics (DE/PL) |
| S5-135U / S5-155U | Large process installations, chemicals |
Three paths for S5 migration
S5 migration always requires manual code adaptation. The question is which platform fits best with your existing installation and future strategy.
S5 → S7-1500 (TIA Portal)
RecommendedMost common path. STEP 5 STL does not convert 1-to-1 to TIA Portal: manual rewrite required for custom drivers, system functions and S5-specific timers/counters. Siemens offers limited converter tooling.
S5 → B&R Automation Studio
Attractive when the customer seeks brand independence or already has B&R in other machines. IEC 61131-3 in Automation Studio is a different approach from STEP 5. Engineers need retraining.
S5 → Beckhoff TwinCAT
Option for CNC-oriented or PC-based control. Advantage: single platform for PLC and CNC functionality. Disadvantage: large code rewrite and different engineering toolset.
Frequently asked questions about S5 migration
Starting an S5 migration?
We start with a code inventory and provide a reliable time and cost estimate for your specific S5 installation.