Using A Memory Card - Siemens SIMATIC S7 System Manual

3.4

Using a memory card

NOTICE
The CPU supports only the pre-formatted SIMATIC memory card (Page 318). If you use a
Windows formatter to reformat the SIMATIC memory card, the CPU cannot use the
reformatted memory card.
Before you copy any program to the formatted memory card, delete any previously saved
program from the memory card.
Use the memory card either as transfer card or as a program card. Any program that you
copy to the memory card contains all of the code blocks and data blocks, any technology
objects, and the device configuration. The program does not contain force values.
● Use a transfer card to copy a program to the internal load memory of the CPU without
● Use a program card as external load memory for the CPU. Inserting a program card in
The program on a memory card includes the code blocks, the data blocks, the technology
objects, and the device configuration. The memory card does not contain any force values.
The force values are not part of the program, but are stored in the load memory, whether the
internal load memory of the CPU, or the external load memory (a program card). If a
program card is inserted in the CPU, then STEP 7 Basic applies the force values only to the
external load memory on the program card.
S7-1200 Programmable controller
System Manual, 11/2009, A5E02486680-02
using STEP 7 Basic. After you insert the transfer card, the CPU first erases the user
program and any force values from the internal load memory, and then copies the
program from the transfer card to the internal load memory. When the transfer process is
complete, you must remove the transfer card.
You can use an empty transfer card to access a password-protected CPU when the
password has been lost or forgotten (Page 53). Inserting the empty transfer card deletes
the password-protected program in the internal load memory of the CPU. You can then
download a new program to the CPU.
the CPU erases all of the CPU internal load memory (the user program and any force
values). The CPU then executes the program in external load memory (the program
card). Downloading to a CPU that has a program card updates only the external load
memory (the program card).
Because the internal load memory of the CPU was erased when you inserted the
program card, the program card must remain in the CPU. If you remove the program
card, the CPU goes to STOP mode. (The error LED flashes to indicate that program card
has been removed.)
PLC concepts
3.4 Using a memory card
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