Installing SIMATIC C7-613 Configuration Tools: Library and Sample

SIMATIC C7-613 System Overview

The SIMATIC C7-613 is a compact, fully integrated control system that combines an S7-300 family CPU with a built-in text-based operator panel in a single housing. Per the official Siemens product entry (ID 12996984), the C7-613 is "the complete control system for applications requiring high-speed PLC performance and simple operator input and control functions." The unit is delivered with a dedicated installation package — historically shipped on a CD labeled Configuration Tools for SIMATIC C7-613 — that bundles the PLC function library, supporting user-defined data types, and a turnkey STEP 7 sample project named ZXX31_01_C7-613.

The integration philosophy of the C7 family is the elimination of point-to-point wiring between a separate PLC and a separate HMI. The C7-613 realizes this by mounting an S7-314 class CPU module directly behind an OP3 text display on a unified backplane, sharing power, ground, and an internal communication channel. The result is a single panel-mount device that drops into a cabinet cutout and provides both deterministic control and operator visualization from one Part Number.

The Configuration Tools package is the OEM deliverable that makes the device usable in STEP 7. The library exposes Siemens-defined function blocks (FBs), function calls (FCs), and user-defined data types (UDTs) that wrap the OP3 panel's screen-change, value-entry, password, and recipe functions behind standard STEP 7 call interfaces. The ZXX31_01_C7-613 sample project is the recommended starting point for first-time users because it exercises the library functions and demonstrates the project structure expected by both the CPU firmware and the OP3 firmware.

Hardware Architecture and Component Layout

The C7-613 is built around two cooperating subsystems: the S7-314 class CPU subsystem that executes the STEP 7 user program, and the OP3 operator-interface subsystem that handles display rendering and key scanning. Both subsystems are powered from a common 24 V DC supply, share an internal serial bus, and are addressed by STEP 7 as a single MPI station.

Figure 1 — C7-613 internal block diagram: shared 24 V rail, S7-314 CPU, OP3 panel, internal tag pointer area, and STEP 7 PC connection via MPI.

Prerequisites for Commissioning

Before powering the C7-613 or starting STEP 7, verify the following items are available and confirmed. The Configuration Tools package can be installed before the hardware arrives, but a hardware bring-up requires every item below.

• STEP 7 V5.x (Classic) — TIA Portal does not support the C7-613; the device is engineered exclusively in STEP 7 V5.x. Confirm the installed service pack matches the C7-613 hardware catalog on the support site.
• PC Adapter USB (6ES7972-0CB20-0XA0) or CP 5611 / CP 5613 MPI card for the engineering PC.
• The C7-613 Configuration Tools CD or downloaded archive containing the C7-613 library (FBs / UDTs) and the ZXX31_01_C7-613 sample project.
• 24 V DC power supply sized for the C7-613 inrush and any connected digital outputs on the rear I/O connectors. Verify the field wiring against the wiring diagram in the device manual.
• MPI cable (or PROFIBUS cable with MPI connectors) terminated per STEP 7 PG/PC interface settings; default MPI address 2 and 187.5 kbit/s unless the network has been re-engineered.
• Siemens support account (free) for downloading the latest manual revision from product page ID 12996984.

Locating the C7-613 Configuration Tools Package

The Configuration Tools package was originally delivered on a CD bundled with each C7-613. For units purchased without the CD, or for users who no longer have it, the package can be recovered from Siemens' official support site.

1. Open the C7-613 product page at support entry 12996984.
2. Switch the Entry type filter to Manuals and enter C7-613 in the search field to limit the result list.
3. Download the operating instructions PDF (GS_C7-613_e.pdf, attachment 13131659) for the wiring and commissioning reference.
4. Switch the filter to Downloads and look for the Configuration Tools archive (typically S7_C7613_ConfigTools_Vx_x.zip or a self-extracting .exe). The exact filename changes with each revision; confirm the version note matches your STEP 7 service pack.
5. Save the archive to a local path with no spaces and no more than 60 characters (the STEP 7 installer does not handle long Unicode paths reliably).

The Siemens support entry 10805221 — referenced historically as the C7 family consolidated entry — also indexes manuals, FAQ, and download packages for every C7 variant and is the recommended starting point if the direct product page does not show a download.

Installing the Configuration Tools and Integrating the Library

1. Close STEP 7 and any running HMI configuration tool before launching the installer.
2. Right-click the Configuration Tools archive, select Run as administrator, and accept the default installation path under C:\Program Files\Siemens\Automation\C7_613\.
3. When prompted, select Install C7-613 Library. The installer copies the library blocks (*.AWL, *.DB for instance DBs, and the F7-compiled sources) into ...\STEP7\S7LIBS\C7_613.
4. Select Copy sample project ZXX31_01_C7-613 and point the installer at a working STEP 7 project directory such as D:\Projects\C7_613\ZXX31_01.
5. Restart the engineering PC so the new STEP 7 library path is registered in the environment.
6. Open STEP 7, choose File → Open → Project and verify the sample project opens without "Missing master system" or "Unknown CPU type" errors.

C7-613 Library: FBs, FCs, and UDTs

The Configuration Tools install ships a fixed set of building blocks. The exact block list and instance DB names should be cross-checked against the manual PDF 13131659 for your specific version, but the function family is stable across revisions.

Example UDT definition for screen parameters (illustrative — verify against your Configuration Tools version):

TYPE UDT 20
STRUCT
    ScreenNumber   : INT ;    // 0..255 logical screen ID
    LayoutID       : BYTE ;   // references layout in OP3 firmware
    FieldCount     : BYTE ;   // number of value fields on screen
    Refresh_ms     : WORD ;   // cyclic refresh period
    PasswordLevel  : BYTE ;   // 0=public, 1..3=protected
END_STRUCT
END_TYPE

Opening and Adapting the ZXX31_01_C7-613 Sample Project

1. Launch SIMATIC Manager and open the project ZXX31_01_C7-613 installed under D:\Projects\C7_613\ZXX31_01.
2. Confirm the project tree shows the C7-613 hardware station with an S7-314 CPU and the OP3 sub-module. If STEP 7 reports "The selected CPU does not match the inserted module", the installed HW catalog is older than the project — install the matching HSP or update.
3. Open S7 Program → Blocks and review the pre-built blocks. The sample ships with:
   • OB 1 — main cyclic OB with library FB calls
   • OB 100 — restart OB calling FB 100 (C7_OP3_INIT)
   • DB 5 — sample tag pointer area (bit memory, counters, timers)
   • DB 50 — sample recipe DB
4. Open OB 1 in LAD or STL and trace the call sequence. The first network must call FB 100 with its instance DB; subsequent networks call FB 101 for screen changes and FB 102 for value updates.
5. Adapt the project name and author fields under File → Properties to reflect your machine or line designation.

Hardware Configuration in STEP 7 HW Config

The C7-613 is registered as a single station in HW Config rather than as a separate CPU and OP. When you insert the C7-613 from the hardware catalog (path: SIMATIC 300 → C7-613 → CPU 314), STEP 7 automatically places the OP3 sub-module in slot 2 and the digital I/O slices in their correct positions on the internal bus.

Set the OP3 interface to the same MPI address as the CPU (default 2) and the same baud rate (default 187.5 kbit/s). A mismatch causes the OP3 to display "Connection to PLC interrupted" after power-up even when MPI wiring is correct.

Compiling, Downloading, and Online Verification

1. In HW Config, choose Station → Save and Compile. STEP 7 reports a "Compilation finished with 0 errors" message — any warning about a missing GSD file indicates a third-party slave on the MPI bus that the C7-613 cannot see; it can be ignored for the OP3 link.
2. Connect the PC Adapter to the MPI port on the front of the C7-613, set the PG/PC interface to PC Adapter (MPI), and click Download to Target System.
3. After download, switch the C7-613 power off and back on to force an OP3 firmware handshake.
4. Open PLC → Monitor / Modify and force MB 0 to a non-zero value. The OP3 screen "Process" should show the same value within the configured Refresh_ms window.
5. Press each OP3 function key in turn and verify that the corresponding bit in MB 4..MB 7 toggles in the online view.

Verification matrix at first power-up:

Operator Panel Operation and Key Map

The OP3 panel provides a 4-line by 20-character LCD, a numeric keypad (0-9, decimal point, sign), and a small set of soft keys. The key events are decoded by FC 10 (C7_OP3_KEY) and written into a structured bit field that the user program reads cyclically.

For multilingual deployments, the OP3 supports two languages selected by a system menu entry. The language files are part of the Configuration Tools installation and must be re-transferred if the OP3 firmware is re-flashed.

Troubleshooting Matrix

Field-Commissioning Checklist

1. Confirm 24 V DC is present at the C7-613 input terminals and within the tolerance window (typically 20.4 V to 28.8 V).
2. Verify the OP3 firmware revision against the Configuration Tools release notes.
3. Compile the project and download HW Config and all S7 blocks.
4. Cycle power and observe the OP3 start screen within 3 seconds.
5. Force at least one process value and one function key to confirm the tag pointer area is live.
6. Sign off the password matrix and recipe defaults with the operator.
7. Archive the STEP 7 project, the OP3 image, and the Configuration Tools version note to the machine's documentation set.

Frequently Asked Questions