FAQ: Failure of the DP/DP couplers after downloading the hardware configuration
QUESTION:
Why do my DP/DP couplers fail when I load my hardware configuration into the controller?
ANSWER:
You have a PROFIBUS-DP configuration in which you implement DP/DP couplers of release A2. Until now your configuration has worked perfectly. Once you change the version of STEP 7 (e.g. to STEP 7 V5.0 SP4), there no more communications come via the couplers.
Upon reinstallation of STEP 7, the GSD files of the “old” coupler modules are replaced by new ones. However, these new modules cannot be used for configuring the old modules. You can continue using the old modules if you import the GSD file contained in the download into your HW Config.
Note:
Before reinstalling STEP 7, you should always save all the GSD files that are located in the “
Download with the GSD file
sie8070a.exe ( 31 KB )
Copy the “sie8070a.exe” file into a separate directory and then start the file with a double-click . The GSD file is then unpacked automatically. Now you can import the GSD file into your HW Config following the instructions given in Below. How to integrate GSD File into STEP 7.
Keywords:
Communications abort, Master/slave communication
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How do you integrate a GSD file into the STEP 7 HW Config for PROFIBUS or PROFINET?
Instructions:
New modules are supplied in a new version of STEP 7 in the STEP 7 module catalog. The new devices can be added to the hardware catalog via GSD files.
- From STEP 7 V5.2 onwards, you can also update the module catalog with a Hardware Support Package (HSP).
- From STEP 7 V5.3 SP1 onwards you can install PROFINET GSD files in the HW Config.
Install the GSD files according to the table below.
| No. | Procedure: |
| 1 | Ensure that you can access the GSD files to be integrated via the directory on your PG/PC. The files should be located on the hard disk, on a floppy disk or CD, or even in a STEP 7 project. |
| 2 | Open the HW Config and close the project opened in it. |
| 3 | Select the menu command “Options > Install GSD file…”.
|
| 4 | Browse to the file’s directory in the next dialog and then click “Install”. You can choose whether to search for the GSD files in the directory or in a STEP7 project. During the installation process, you may receive (error) message support (indicating, for instance, that a certain GSD file is already installed). Once the installation is complete, you can call up a record. Where necessary, use the Online Help (”Help” button).
|
| 5 | Now update your Hardware Catalog using the menu command “Options > Update catalog”. The slaves are read into the module catalog whose GSD files were installed after startup of STEP 7. Then you can incorporate the slaves in your STEP 7 project. The newly installed devices are in the Hardware Catalog.
|
Storing the GSD files on the hard disk:
You store the GSD files in the directory “

Fig. 03
Name of the GSD file of the slave configured:
Double-click the configured slave in the Hardware Configuration. The name of the GSD file is located in the “Properties – DP slave” dialog to the right of the order number.

Fig. 04
More information on the requirements and procedure for installing, overwriting and recovering overwritten GSD files is available in the following manual:
- “Configuring Hardware and Communication Connections with STEP 7 V5.4″ (Entry ID: 18652631) Section: 3.9 Working with GSD Files.
Keywords:
Generic station description file, Hardware configuration, Import
Setting for Replace a DP/DP Coupler Siemens
QUESTION:
How do I replace a DP/DP coupler with the order no. 6ES7 158-0AD00-0XA0 with a DP/DP coupler with the order no. 6ES7 158-0AD01-0XA0?
ANSWER:
Compatibility
The DP/DP coupler with the order number 6ES7 158-0AD01-0XA0 is compatible to the DP/DP coupler with the order number 6ES7 158-0AD00-0XA0:
- The diagnostic information for the sync and freeze mode for the coupler with the order number …-0AD01-… has been improved in comparison to the DP/DP coupler with the order number …-0AD00-… and correspondingly adapted to the PROFIBUS norm.
- The DP/DP coupler with the order number …-0AD01-… can be used as a replacement for predecessor modules. The design is compatible.
Exchanging the DP/DP coupler
Follow this procedure to exchange the DP/DP coupler. The individual steps are described below.
- Transfer the switch settings
- Dismantle the old DP/DP coupler
- Mount the new DP/DP coupler
Transferring the switch settings
- Note the PROFIBUS addresses (DIL switch 1 to 64) from the old DP/DP coupler and set the identical PROFIBUS addresses on the new DP/DP coupler. The following applies:
| DP/DP coupler (…-0AD00-…) | = = | DP/DP coupler (…-0AD01-…) |
| DP1 (DIL switch 1 bis 64) | = = | DP1 (DIL switch 1 bis 64) |
| DP2 (DIL switch1 bis 64) | = = | DP2 (DIL switch 1 bis 64) |
| Setting “0″ | = = | Setting “OFF” |
| Setting “1″ | = = | Setting “ON” |
- Transfer the diagnostics settings from the old DP/DP coupler:
| DP/DP coupler (…-0AD00-…) | = = | DP/DP coupler (…-0AD01-…) |
| DP1 (diagnostics) | = = | DP1 (DIA) |
| DP2 (diagnostics) | = = | DP2 (DIA) |
| Setting “0″ | = = | Setting “OFF” |
| Setting “1″ | = = | Setting “ON” |
- Set the DIL switch “PS” (Power Supply). Only the new DP/DP coupler has a “PS” DIL switch with following settings:
- PS (DP1) to “ON”: L+/M (PS1) is connected to DC 24 V
- PS (DP2) to “ON”: L+/M (PS2) is connected to DC 24 V
We recommend the following procedure for switching to the new DP/DP coupler:
- Connect the power supply for the DP/DP coupler to “PS (DP2)”
(see section “Mounting the new DP/DP coupler”, step 3).- Set the PS DIL switch (DP1) to “OFF”.
- Set the PS DIL switch (DP2) to “ON”.
- Set the DIL switch “ADDR”. Only the new DP/DP coupler has a “ADDR” DIL switch with following settings:
- ADDR to “ON”: The DP/DP coupler gets the PROFIBUS address from STEP 7.
- ADDR to “OFF”: The DP/DP coupler gets the PROFIBUS address from the DIL switch.
We recommend the following procedure for switching to the new DP/DP coupler:
- Set the DIL switch on DP1 and DP2 to “OFF”. This means that the PROFIBUS addresses will be read directly from the DIL switch.
Dismantling the old DP/DP coupler
- Turn the power supply for the DP/DP coupler off.
- Pull the bus connector plug out of the PROFIBUS DP interface.
- Pull out the power supply of the defective DP/DP coupler.
- Loosen the screws of the DP/DP coupler that secure the DP/DP coupler to the rail.
- Swing the DP/DP coupler off the rail.
Mounting the new DP/DP coupler
- Hang the new DP/DP coupler on the rail and swing it down.
- Screw the DP/DP coupler tight.
- Connect the power supply back to the DP/DP coupler. Make sure that you have made the correcting setting on the “PS” DIL switch (see section “Transferring the switch settings “, step 3) .
- Insert the bus connector plug in the PROFIBUS DP interface.
- Switch on the power supply for the DP/DP coupler.
Further information
A detailed description of the DP/DP coupler is available in the documentation of the DP/DP coupler.
Keywords
DP/DP coupler, exchanging, DIL switch, setting

