How to Connect Factory IO with Siemens S7-1200 and PLCSIM (V15.1–V20)

Example Project

For these versions of TIA Portal, special template projects are available that enable proper communication between Factory I/O and the simulator. Without using a template, the connection will not work.

Download the appropriate template

• FactoryIO_Template_S7-1200_V15.zip – for S7-1200 PLCs
• FactoryIO_Template_S7-1500_V15.zip – for S7-1500 PLCs

👉 Templates marked as V15 are compatible with TIA Portal versions V15/16/17/18/19/20.

Configuring the Project in TIA Portal

1. Open the downloaded template project corresponding to your controller (S7-1200 or S7-1500).
2. Save the project under a new name (e.g., MyFirstProject).
3. You can now start writing your program.

⚠️ Warning: In the existing OB1 block there is already Network 1 – do not delete it, as it is required for communication with Factory I/O.

Running the Simulation in S7-PLCSIM

1. Select the device and click Start Simulation.
2. Choose PN/IE (1) as the type of PG/PC Interface.
3. In the PG/PC Interface field, select PLCSIM S7-1200/S7-1500 (2).
4. Click Start search (3), and after scanning is complete, select the device (4).
5. Click Load (5) to load the program.
6. In S7-PLCSIM, switch the CPU to RUN mode.

Connecting Factory IO to S7-PLCSIM

1. In Factory I/O, go to FILE > Driver Configuration.
2. Select Siemens S7-PLCSIM from the driver list.
3. Click CONFIGURATION to open the configuration panel.
4. Choose the appropriate CPU model (S7-1200 or S7-1500).
5. Press Esc to return to the main driver window.
6. Click CONNECT to establish the connection.

A successful connection is indicated by a green icon next to the selected driver and in the status bar.

Connecting Factory IO to Siemens S7-1200/1500 PLC

1. In Factory I/O, go to FILE > Driver Configuration.
2. Select Siemens S7-1200/1500 from the driver list.
3. Click CONFIGURATION to open the configuration panel.
4. Choose the appropriate CPU model (S7-1200 or S7-1500).
5. Enter the IP address of the controller, which you set during configuration in TIA Portal.
6. Press Esc to return to the main driver window.
7. Click CONNECT to establish the connection.

Summary

By using templates compatible with TIA Portal V15–V20, you can quickly set up an environment for learning PLC programming with Factory I/O and S7-PLCSIM. This connection allows you to test your own programs in a realistic virtual factory – without risking damage to real equipment and entirely within a simulation environment.

If you want to start learning PLC programming in virtual factory – check out our Premium Siemens PLC Programming Training in LAD and FBD.

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