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Siemens Level 1 Certification Exam 2026/2027
Actual Exam | Fundamentals of Siemens
Automation Updated | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Section 1: Siemens Hardware & System Configuration
Q1: [Image: A compact PLC module with integrated I/O, showing part number "6ES7 211-
1BE40-0XB0" on the housing and featuring 14 digital inputs and 10 digital outputs] Which S7-
1200 CPU model is shown in the image, and what are its key specifications?
A. CPU 1211C DC/DC/DC with 6 DI/4 DO and 2 AI [CORRECT]
B. CPU 1214C AC/DC/Relay with 14 DI/10 DO relay outputs
C. CPU 1212C AC/DC/Relay with 8 DI/6 DO relay outputs
D. CPU 1215C DC/DC/DC with 14 DI/10 DO and 2 AO
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The part number 6ES7 211-1BE40-0XB0 identifies the CPU 1211C DC/DC/DC
model. The "211" indicates the 1211C series, "1BE" specifies DC power supply with transistor
outputs, and "40" denotes the firmware version. This is the most compact S7-1200 CPU with 6
digital inputs, 4 digital outputs, and 2 analog inputs. Option B incorrectly identifies it as a 1214C
with AC power and relay outputs. Option C confuses it with the 1212C which has different I/O
counts. Option D incorrectly upgrades it to a 1215C which includes analog outputs and
additional features like second Ethernet port.
Q2: [Image: A modular rack configuration showing a power supply (PS) on the far left, followed
by a CPU with display, then three I/O modules, with arrows indicating potential expansion] In a
standard S7-1500 rack configuration, what is the maximum number of I/O modules that can be
installed to the right of the CPU without using an ET 200SP distributed I/O station?
A. 8 modules with single-tier configuration, expandable to 16 with multi-tier setup
B. 32 modules maximum regardless of rack configuration
C. 16 modules in a single rack, limited by backplane bus power budget [CORRECT]
D. Unlimited modules as long as total current consumption stays below 10A
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The S7-1500 standard rack supports up to 16 I/O modules (slots 2-17, with slot 1
reserved for the power supply and slot 2 for the CPU). This limitation is determined by the
backplane bus (U-Connector) power capacity and addressing constraints, not just physical space.
Option A incorrectly references multi-tier setups which don't apply to standard rack limits.
Option B exceeds the physical slot addressing. Option D is incorrect because even with sufficient
power, the rack addressing and U-Connector topology limit expansion to 16 modules; additional
I/O requires ET 200SP distributed stations via PROFINET.
Q3: When configuring the analog input module SM 1231 AI4 x 13-bit (6ES7 231-4HD32-0XB0)
in TIA Portal, what is the correct data type and address range for reading the first analog input
channel?
A. %IW64 as Word data type, representing raw 13-bit value in two's complement
B. %IW64 as Int data type, automatically scaled to engineering units by the module [CORRECT]
C. %ID64 as DInt data type for 32-bit precision with overflow detection
D. %QW64 as Word output type, allowing bidirectional analog communication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The SM 1231 AI4 module maps analog inputs to input words (%IW) starting at
configurable addresses, defaulting to %IW64 for the first channel. The data type is Int (16-bit
signed integer) because the 13-bit A/D conversion is stored left-justified in a 16-bit word with
sign extension, representing -27648 to +27648 for standard voltage/current ranges. Option A
incorrectly suggests Word (unsigned) which would misinterpret negative values. Option C uses
double-word addressing (%ID) which is incorrect for single channel access and wastes memory.
Option D fundamentally misunderstands the directionality—analog inputs are always %I
addresses, never %Q (outputs).
Q4: [Image: Two S7-1200 CPUs side by side—left unit labeled "6ES7 214-1AG40-0XB0" with
terminal block showing L+/M/ground connections, right unit labeled "6ES7 214-1BG40-0XB0"
with L1/N/ground terminal block] Based on the power supply connections shown, which
statement correctly describes the difference between these two CPU models?
A. Left: AC powered with 120-240V input; Right: DC powered with 24V input
B. Left: DC powered with 24V input; Right: AC powered with 120-240V input [CORRECT]
C. Both are DC powered but left accepts 12-24V while right accepts 24V only
D. Both are AC powered but left is 120V only while right is 240V only
Correct Answer: B
, 3
Rationale: The part number nomenclature reveals the power supply type: "1AG" indicates DC
power supply (24V DC on L+/M terminals), while "1BG" indicates AC power supply (120-240V
AC on L1/N terminals). The terminal labels confirm this—L+/M is standard DC notation, while
L1/N is AC line/neutral notation. Option A reverses the configuration. Option C incorrectly
suggests both are DC variants. Option D incorrectly suggests both are AC variants with voltage
restrictions; Siemens AC-powered PLCs are universally 120-240V auto-ranging.
Q5: A technician needs to add high-speed counting capability to an S7-1200 system. The
application requires counting pulses up to 100 kHz from an incremental encoder. Which
hardware configuration is appropriate?
A. CPU 1214C DC/DC/DC using onboard digital inputs with standard input filters disabled
B. CPU 1214C DC/DC/DC with SB 1223 digital input/output signal board
C. CPU 1214C DC/DC/DC with SB 1221 4 x 24V DC input signal board supporting 200 kHz
[CORRECT]
D. CPU 1214C AC/DC/Relay with SM 1223 digital I/O module in expansion rack
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: High-speed counting (HSC) on S7-1200 requires specific hardware capabilities. While
onboard CPU inputs support HSC, they are limited to 100 kHz on DC/DC/DC models and
cannot reach the required frequency with standard filters. The SB 1221 signal board (6ES7 221-
3BD30-0XB0) is specifically designed for high-speed applications with 200 kHz capability and
is the correct choice for reliable 100 kHz operation. Option A is incorrect because standard inputs
with disabled filters still have hardware limitations. Option B's SB 1223 is a mixed I/O board not
optimized for high-speed counting. Option D is incorrect because relay output CPUs have
significantly slower input response times and SM 1223 modules do not support high-speed
counting functions.
Q6: In an S7-1500 system, which memory areas are retentive by default after a power cycle, and
which require explicit configuration for retention?
A. M memory (bit memory) is always retentive; DBs are always non-retentive
B. Optimized DBs retain all tags by default; standard DBs lose all data on power cycle
C. Standard DBs retain configured tags only; optimized DBs require individual tag retention
settings [CORRECT]
D. All process image inputs (%I) and outputs (%Q) are automatically retentive
Correct Answer: C
Siemens Level 1 Certification Exam 2026/2027
Actual Exam | Fundamentals of Siemens
Automation Updated | Pass Guaranteed - A+
Graded
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Section 1: Siemens Hardware & System Configuration
Q1: [Image: A compact PLC module with integrated I/O, showing part number "6ES7 211-
1BE40-0XB0" on the housing and featuring 14 digital inputs and 10 digital outputs] Which S7-
1200 CPU model is shown in the image, and what are its key specifications?
A. CPU 1211C DC/DC/DC with 6 DI/4 DO and 2 AI [CORRECT]
B. CPU 1214C AC/DC/Relay with 14 DI/10 DO relay outputs
C. CPU 1212C AC/DC/Relay with 8 DI/6 DO relay outputs
D. CPU 1215C DC/DC/DC with 14 DI/10 DO and 2 AO
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The part number 6ES7 211-1BE40-0XB0 identifies the CPU 1211C DC/DC/DC
model. The "211" indicates the 1211C series, "1BE" specifies DC power supply with transistor
outputs, and "40" denotes the firmware version. This is the most compact S7-1200 CPU with 6
digital inputs, 4 digital outputs, and 2 analog inputs. Option B incorrectly identifies it as a 1214C
with AC power and relay outputs. Option C confuses it with the 1212C which has different I/O
counts. Option D incorrectly upgrades it to a 1215C which includes analog outputs and
additional features like second Ethernet port.
Q2: [Image: A modular rack configuration showing a power supply (PS) on the far left, followed
by a CPU with display, then three I/O modules, with arrows indicating potential expansion] In a
standard S7-1500 rack configuration, what is the maximum number of I/O modules that can be
installed to the right of the CPU without using an ET 200SP distributed I/O station?
A. 8 modules with single-tier configuration, expandable to 16 with multi-tier setup
B. 32 modules maximum regardless of rack configuration
C. 16 modules in a single rack, limited by backplane bus power budget [CORRECT]
D. Unlimited modules as long as total current consumption stays below 10A
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The S7-1500 standard rack supports up to 16 I/O modules (slots 2-17, with slot 1
reserved for the power supply and slot 2 for the CPU). This limitation is determined by the
backplane bus (U-Connector) power capacity and addressing constraints, not just physical space.
Option A incorrectly references multi-tier setups which don't apply to standard rack limits.
Option B exceeds the physical slot addressing. Option D is incorrect because even with sufficient
power, the rack addressing and U-Connector topology limit expansion to 16 modules; additional
I/O requires ET 200SP distributed stations via PROFINET.
Q3: When configuring the analog input module SM 1231 AI4 x 13-bit (6ES7 231-4HD32-0XB0)
in TIA Portal, what is the correct data type and address range for reading the first analog input
channel?
A. %IW64 as Word data type, representing raw 13-bit value in two's complement
B. %IW64 as Int data type, automatically scaled to engineering units by the module [CORRECT]
C. %ID64 as DInt data type for 32-bit precision with overflow detection
D. %QW64 as Word output type, allowing bidirectional analog communication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The SM 1231 AI4 module maps analog inputs to input words (%IW) starting at
configurable addresses, defaulting to %IW64 for the first channel. The data type is Int (16-bit
signed integer) because the 13-bit A/D conversion is stored left-justified in a 16-bit word with
sign extension, representing -27648 to +27648 for standard voltage/current ranges. Option A
incorrectly suggests Word (unsigned) which would misinterpret negative values. Option C uses
double-word addressing (%ID) which is incorrect for single channel access and wastes memory.
Option D fundamentally misunderstands the directionality—analog inputs are always %I
addresses, never %Q (outputs).
Q4: [Image: Two S7-1200 CPUs side by side—left unit labeled "6ES7 214-1AG40-0XB0" with
terminal block showing L+/M/ground connections, right unit labeled "6ES7 214-1BG40-0XB0"
with L1/N/ground terminal block] Based on the power supply connections shown, which
statement correctly describes the difference between these two CPU models?
A. Left: AC powered with 120-240V input; Right: DC powered with 24V input
B. Left: DC powered with 24V input; Right: AC powered with 120-240V input [CORRECT]
C. Both are DC powered but left accepts 12-24V while right accepts 24V only
D. Both are AC powered but left is 120V only while right is 240V only
Correct Answer: B
, 3
Rationale: The part number nomenclature reveals the power supply type: "1AG" indicates DC
power supply (24V DC on L+/M terminals), while "1BG" indicates AC power supply (120-240V
AC on L1/N terminals). The terminal labels confirm this—L+/M is standard DC notation, while
L1/N is AC line/neutral notation. Option A reverses the configuration. Option C incorrectly
suggests both are DC variants. Option D incorrectly suggests both are AC variants with voltage
restrictions; Siemens AC-powered PLCs are universally 120-240V auto-ranging.
Q5: A technician needs to add high-speed counting capability to an S7-1200 system. The
application requires counting pulses up to 100 kHz from an incremental encoder. Which
hardware configuration is appropriate?
A. CPU 1214C DC/DC/DC using onboard digital inputs with standard input filters disabled
B. CPU 1214C DC/DC/DC with SB 1223 digital input/output signal board
C. CPU 1214C DC/DC/DC with SB 1221 4 x 24V DC input signal board supporting 200 kHz
[CORRECT]
D. CPU 1214C AC/DC/Relay with SM 1223 digital I/O module in expansion rack
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: High-speed counting (HSC) on S7-1200 requires specific hardware capabilities. While
onboard CPU inputs support HSC, they are limited to 100 kHz on DC/DC/DC models and
cannot reach the required frequency with standard filters. The SB 1221 signal board (6ES7 221-
3BD30-0XB0) is specifically designed for high-speed applications with 200 kHz capability and
is the correct choice for reliable 100 kHz operation. Option A is incorrect because standard inputs
with disabled filters still have hardware limitations. Option B's SB 1223 is a mixed I/O board not
optimized for high-speed counting. Option D is incorrect because relay output CPUs have
significantly slower input response times and SM 1223 modules do not support high-speed
counting functions.
Q6: In an S7-1500 system, which memory areas are retentive by default after a power cycle, and
which require explicit configuration for retention?
A. M memory (bit memory) is always retentive; DBs are always non-retentive
B. Optimized DBs retain all tags by default; standard DBs lose all data on power cycle
C. Standard DBs retain configured tags only; optimized DBs require individual tag retention
settings [CORRECT]
D. All process image inputs (%I) and outputs (%Q) are automatically retentive
Correct Answer: C
