Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 System Manual page 154

Formatting a SIMATIC memory card
Note
Formatting of a SIMATIC memory card may only be carried out in a CPU. Otherwise the
SIMATIC memory card cannot be used in the S7-1500 CPUs.
If you want to format the SIMATIC memory card using STEP 7, an online connection to the
relevant CPU must exist. The relevant CPU is in the STOP mode.
Proceed as follows to format a SIMATIC memory card:
1. Open the Online and Diagnostics view of the CPU (either from the project context or via
2. In the "Functions" folder, select the "Format memory card" group.
3. Click the "Format" button.
4. Click "Yes" in response to the confirmation prompt.
Result:
● The SIMATIC memory card is formatted for use in S7-1500 CPUs
● The data on the CPU are deleted with the exception of the IP address
Service life of a SIMATIC memory card
The service life of a SIMATIC memory card depends essentially on the following factors:
● The number of delete or write processes
● External influences, e.g., ambient temperature
With an ambient temperature of up to 60 °C, at least 100,000 delete/write processes are
possible on the SIMATIC memory card.
S7-1500 Automation System
System Manual, 02/2014, A5E03461182-AB
"Accessible devices").
SIMATIC memory card
12.1 SIMATIC memory card - overview
153