SIEMENS 6AV6542-0DA10-0AX0

What is 6AV6542-0DA10-0AX0 and where is it used?

The 6AV6542-0DA10-0AX0 is a SIEMENS SIMATIC MP370 12" Key Multi Panel designed for industrial operator control and visualisation tasks. It is a key-operated HMI device featuring a 12.1-inch colour TFT display, intended for use in machinery, production systems and process applications where operators need to enter process values, acknowledge alarms, manage recipes or monitor operating conditions. With its robust IP65-rated front panel, the device is suitable for installation in control cabinets or operator consoles within industrial environments. Typical applications include existing SIMATIC S7 installations, retrofit projects, spare-parts procurement for established production lines and the strategic support of legacy HMI platforms, particularly where a complete system upgrade is not desirable.

Overview of the key technical specifications and what they mean

The panel features a 12.1-inch TFT colour display with a resolution of 800 × 600 pixels. Unlike a touchscreen device, it is a key-operated panel equipped with 36 function keys with LEDs, 38 system keys, and facilities for numeric, alphanumeric and hexadecimal data entry. For maintenance and retrofit applications, the available communication interfaces are particularly important: TTY, RS232, RS422, RS485, Ethernet RJ45, USB, PC Card and CompactFlash card slots. This makes the panel suitable for integration into both legacy and mixed communication environments. The unit is powered by DC voltage and has a typical power consumption of 28 W. The protection rating is specified as IP65 on the front and IP20 on the rear. The panel can be engineered using ProTool from Version 5.2 SP3 onwards or WinCC flexible Standard from Version 2004 onwards, which is a key consideration for future service and migration planning.

Product status, life-cycle status and obsolescence status

For the 6AV6542-0DA10-0AX0, the EICHLER product page lists an EOP (End of Production) date of 01 August 2008. Siemens continues to classify the MP370 12" Key as a spare part within its support portfolio, clearly indicating that it is no longer part of the mainstream new-product range. For operators, the focus today is therefore on asset preservation, repair, replacement and controlled modernisation. Siemens identified the MP377 12" Key as the direct successor within the original product family. For more extensive modernisation projects, Siemens further references the KP1500 Comfort as the migration path from the MP377 12" Key within the Comfort Panel environment. As a result, the 6AV6542-0DA10-0AX0 should be regarded as a legacy product approaching obsolescence, where serviceability and data migration capabilities are particularly important.

Available EICHLER services and when they are relevant

For the 6AV6542-0DA10-0AX0, EICHLER currently offers repair services, exchange units, used devices and new units on request. For maintenance teams, a repair is often the preferred solution when the existing project, installation arrangement and communication interfaces are to remain unchanged. An exchange unit is particularly valuable when downtime must be minimised and a working replacement is required quickly. Used devices can be attractive when budget considerations, availability and compatibility with the existing installation are the primary concerns. An optional test report is also available. According to EICHLER, repairs include technical cleaning, preventive maintenance, comprehensive functional testing and a minimum 24-month warranty. For discontinued HMI platforms, these services help ensure that the operational reliability of existing installations can continue to be supported in a planned and economically viable manner despite increasing obsolescence.

Is 6AV6542-0DA10-0AX0 still available as a new unit?

In the current EICHLER offering, the device is not listed as a regularly stocked new product with direct purchase availability, but rather as “New on request”. At the same time, repair, exchange and used units are available as realistic procurement and service options. For purchasing and maintenance departments, this is a clear indication that availability should now primarily be secured through inventory management, exchange strategies and service capability.

Which software is required for engineering and servicing the MP370?

Siemens and EICHLER specify ProTool from version V5.2 SP3 or WinCC flexible Standard from version 2004 for project engineering. For service purposes, ProSave is important because it is used for backup, restore, OS updates and the transfer of operator panel data. Anyone maintaining an existing device or preparing a replacement unit should therefore verify not only the hardware but also the availability of the required engineering and service environment at an early stage.

What should be backed up before repair, exchange or modernisation?

Before removing the panel, a complete backup of the project, recipes and passwords should be created wherever possible using ProSave or WinCC flexible. Siemens describes the backup and restore procedure and points out that files stored in user memory may be deleted during a restore operation. Licences should also be backed up separately. This is particularly important for operators because, with obsolete panels, not only the hardware may be difficult to obtain, but the original engineering projects are often unavailable as well.

Which successor is the logical choice for a modernisation project?

Within the Siemens product environment, the MP377 12" Key is identified as the direct successor to the MP370. For later modernisation stages, Siemens migration guides then show the path from the MP377 12" Key to the KP1500 Comfort. In practice, this means that anyone replacing an MP370 today should not only consider a like-for-like replacement but should also plan the next migration step, including interfaces, mounting cut-out, project conversion and long-term spare-parts strategy.

Can I continue using an MP370 directly in TIA Portal?

The MP370 is an older operator panel that is no longer supported as a standard target device in current TIA Portal environments. Siemens documentation and practical experience therefore generally point towards migration rather than direct continued engineering of the MP370. Siemens also describes upgrade and migration paths for MP370 and MP377 Touch or Key devices towards SIMATIC WinCC in TIA Portal and Comfort Panels. For existing systems, the key question is therefore not only whether the panel is still operational, but whether the engineering platform can be maintained in the long term.

When is a test report useful for this panel?

A test report is particularly valuable when the panel is used in a critical production system, in validation-related environments or as part of a structured spare-parts strategy. It provides additional traceability regarding the functional status of a repaired, exchanged or used device and is therefore especially relevant for purchasing, quality assurance and maintenance departments. For an obsolete HMI with a long service history, a documented functional test helps reduce procurement risks and minimise the impact of potential downtime.