MICROMASTER 420/440 Parameter Setup via BOP and STARTER

MICROMASTER Drive Family Overview

The Siemens MICROMASTER 4 (MM4) series is a family of general-purpose variable frequency drives (VFDs) that share a common parameter architecture, command structure, and operator-panel interface. Three principal variants are deployed in the field, and parameter numbers, fault codes, and operator-panel procedures are largely portable across them.

The complete parameter list for the MM440 is published in the official Siemens Parameter List document (file ID 9294860), which is the authoritative reference for the 32-bit parameter numbering scheme used across the family. The same numbering applies to MM420 and MM430 with model-specific subset filtering applied by P0004.

MICROMASTER 440 Parameter List (PDF, Siemens ID 9294860)

Operator Panels: BOP, AOP, and BOP-2

Three operator panels have shipped with the MM4 family. They differ in display type, language, and on-board parameter storage.

The BOP is the panel that most service engineers encounter first. It provides a numeric read-out of the parameter (Px000) and the parameter value, and exposes a fixed set of keys for navigation. Because the BOP cannot show a parameter name, the engineer must know the parameter number or use P0004 (parameter filter) to scope the visible subset.

Parameter Architecture and Access Levels

Every MM4 drive parameter is identified by a four-digit number. The leading character encodes the access direction:

• P — settable (read/write) parameter; values can be changed by the user.
• r — read-only parameter; typically a measurement or computed state.
• n — internal use; not normally exposed.
• c — commissioning parameter (used by quick commissioning flow).

Three access levels gate the visibility of parameters in the BOP and in the default PC tools:

Parameter filtering with P0004 is used to scope what is visible. P0004 = 0 shows all parameters, while values such as 2 (motor data), 5 (communication), 7 (alarms), 8 (setpoint channel), and 10 (inverter MMI) restrict the list to one functional group. This is the standard way to make a service procedure quick on a BOP.

BOP Operation Procedure

The BOP is a five-key device. The convention for entering, editing, and leaving a parameter is consistent across the MM4 family.

Standard edit flow on a BOP:

1. Press P to enter parameter mode; the display shows the last parameter number used.
2. Use ▲ / ▼ to scroll to the parameter number you want (for example, P0700).
3. Press P again; the display shows the current value.
4. Use ▲ / ▼ to change the value.
5. Press P to confirm; the display flashes and the new value is stored in RAM.
6. When commissioning is complete, set P0971 = 1 and press P to write all parameters to non-volatile memory.

Quick Commissioning Workflow (P0010 = 1)

Quick commissioning is the fastest path to a running, correctly-protected drive. The flow is anchored by P0010 = 1 (start quick commissioning) and P3900 = 1 (exit with factory reset and calculation of motor parameters). The engineer is presented with a curated sequence of parameters based on the application and motor data.

1. Set P0010 = 1 to enter quick commissioning.
2. Set P0100 for the regional power standard: 0 = Europe (kW, 50 Hz), 1 = North America (hp, 60 Hz), 2 = North America (kW, 60 Hz).
3. Set P0205 for the application class: 0 = constant torque (default, most conveyors and extruders), 1 = variable torque (pumps and fans).
4. Enter the motor nameplate data into P0304, P0305, P0307, P0308, P0310, P0311 (rated voltage, current, power, cos φ, frequency, speed).
5. Set P0335 for motor cooling: 0 = self-cooled, 1 = forced-cooled (fan on shaft), 2 = separately ventilated.
6. Set the command source: P0700 = 1 (BOP), 2 (terminals), 4 (USS on COM), 5 (USS on BOP link), or 6 (CB on COM).
7. Set the setpoint source: P1000 = 1 (MOP), 2 (analog input 1), 3 (fixed frequencies), 4 (USS), 5 (USS on BOP), 6 (CB), 7 (analog input 2).
8. Set frequency limits: P1080 (minimum), P1082 (maximum), and ramp times P1120 (ramp-up), P1121 (ramp-down).
9. Set control mode P1300: 0 = V/f linear, 1 = V/f quadratic, 2 = V/f programmable, 20 = SLVC, 22 = vector with encoder (MM440 only).
10. Set P3900 = 1 to exit quick commissioning, reset all parameters not in quick-commissioning scope to factory, and recalculate internal motor model parameters.

If the connected motor nameplate lists 400 V / 50 Hz / 1.5 kW / 3.0 A / 0.81 cos φ / 1430 rpm, the entry sequence becomes P0304 = 400, P0305 = 3.0, P0307 = 1.5, P0308 = 0.81, P0310 = 50, P0311 = 1430. The values are per-phase on three-phase units, identical to the motor's nameplate line values.

Essential Motor and Control Parameters

The most frequently accessed parameters in service work are listed below. Indices in square brackets indicate parameter arrays.

The values are explained in detail in the published parameter list, which is the official reference for the entire parameter set including sub-indices for BICO connections.

Digital and Analog I/O Configuration

Default wiring on a stock MM4 (control terminals on the front of the unit) uses the following mapping. Verify against the wiring diagram printed on the inside of the operator-panel cover before commissioning, as frame-size and option-module variants differ.

Common DIN function codes for P0701–P0706:

• 1 = ON / OFF1 (run forward with edge)
• 2 = ON reverse / OFF1 (run reverse with edge)
• 3 = OFF2 (coast to stop, low active)
• 4 = OFF3 (fast stop ramp, low active)
• 5 = Fault acknowledge (rising edge)
• 6 = External trip (low active)
• 12 = Enable (must be high for any run)
• 13 / 14 = MOP up / MOP down
• 15 / 16 = Fixed setpoint bit 0 / bit 1
• 25 = Enable DC brake

Communication: USS, Modbus RTU, and PROFIBUS

MM4 drives support two native serial protocols on the integrated RS-485 port, plus fieldbus modules on the option slot.

Switching the integrated RS-485 port between USS and Modbus is controlled by P2029. Process data (PZD) and parameter data (PKW) are mapped via P2050/P2051 (PZD from PLC) and P2080/P2081 (PZD to PLC). For a 2-PZD configuration, the first word is the control word (STW) and the second is the main setpoint (HSW); the first returned word is the status word (ZSW) and the second is the actual frequency (HIW).

The status word bit definitions are documented in the parameter list. The minimum useful set for sequencing is bit 0 (drive ready), bit 2 (running), bit 3 (fault active), bit 6 (switch-on inhibited), and bit 10 (frequency reached / f_act == f_set). The control word for an AOP/PC-driven start uses bit 0 (ON/OFF1), bit 1 (OFF2), bit 2 (OFF3), and bit 3 (enable / pulse enable).

Commissioning Software: STARTER and DriveMonitor

Two PC tools are commonly used to commission and diagnose MM4 drives. Both run on a Windows PC and connect via a serial cable to the BOP link or to the integrated RS-485 COM port.

The parameter file format is portable: parameters exported from one drive can be imported into another of the same model. STARTER also supports scripted parameterization via DCC (Drive Control Chart) and the TIA Portal integration path for newer controllers.

For higher-volume commissioning, the BOP upload / download workflow is preferred: configure one drive on the bench, set P0802 = 0, then on the next drive P0802 = 1, and the BOP will accept the parameter set via its own memory. This method requires the AOP; the BOP itself has no on-board storage for cloning between drives.

Simulation Tools: SITRAIN WBT and Offline Tools

For engineers who want to learn the parameterization flow before connecting to a live drive, Siemens SITRAIN provides Web-Based Training (WBT) courses that include an interactive MM420 and MM440 simulator. The simulation runs in a browser, accepts parameter edits, and animates a virtual motor in response to the configured control.

• Find the current SITRAIN catalog at siemens.com/sitrain; navigate to the "Drives" topic to locate the MICROMASTER 420/440/430 WBTs.
• Access requires a registered Siemens Learning Membership account; free registration is available for individual learners.
• Older WBT URLs in circulation (for example, the sitrain.automation.siemens.com/sitrain/wbt/MM420/start.htm and demo_wbt/mm_420/MM_420_en77/frameset.html paths) have been retired. Attempts to load them in modern browsers typically return only the BOP module of the WBT while failing on the surrounding course shell. This is a server-side retirement, not a browser issue, and a Firefox 3.6 / Internet Explorer 7 workstation will not restore the missing modules.
• For environments that do not have a usable browser, the on-drive BOP and the offline documentation PDF are the only fully-supported training surface.

For engineers who want a fully offline simulator, the STARTER commissioning tool can be operated in offline mode: open a project, add an MM440 device from the library, and edit parameters without any drive being connected. The values can be saved as a project file and later downloaded to a physical drive.

Fault Code Reference and Diagnostics

Faults and warnings are stored in the parameter set and survive power-cycle until they are explicitly acknowledged and cleared.

• r0947[0..7] holds the last eight fault codes (most recent first).
• r0948[0..7] holds the corresponding fault time stamps (drive-time counter, in seconds).
• r0949[0..7] holds the fault value (parameter value at the time of trip, useful for "tripped on overcurrent at X Hz" diagnostics).
• Set P0952 to a count of fault occurrences, then P2100 / P2101 select which fault number triggers a configurable stop reaction.
• Acknowledge with the rising edge on a digital input configured to P070x = 5 (Fault Acknowledge), or write bit 7 of the control word via the fieldbus, or set P2103 = 722.0 and pulse it on the BOP.

Warnings (Axxxx) are non-tripping and appear in r2110. They indicate operating conditions the drive considers out of limits but that are not yet at a fault threshold. The warning class is configured with P2113 and the reaction with P2105. A summary of accumulated warning events is in r2122.

Verification Checklist

1. Confirm P0010 = 0 (commissioning closed) and that the drive accepts the ON command without an immediate fault.
2. Check that the BOP or STARTER Drive Status word shows bit 0 (Ready) and bit 1 (Run) as expected when running.
3. Measure the actual frequency at the BOP (r0021) and the motor speed (r0022) and compare to the setpoint. A non-zero discrepancy is a slip signature; verify the motor nameplate is correct in P0304–P0311.
4. Measure the output current (r0027) at rated load; it should not exceed P0305 (motor rated current) and should stay well below the drive's output current rating shown on the rating label.
5. Verify the ramp times: set a step from 0 to 50 Hz and time the acceleration; compare against P1120 (expected to reach 50 Hz in P1120 × 50 / P1082 seconds).
6. Trip the drive by removing the enable signal (DIN configured to function 12); confirm the motor coasts and F0001 / F0002 are not generated by the coast (the expected response is "Switch-on inhibited" on the status word, not a fault).
7. Acknowledge any fault and confirm r0947 clears, the BOP returns to "Ready" state, and the drive accepts a fresh ON command.
8. Set P0971 = 1 and press P; the BOP will flash once to confirm EEPROM write. Cycle power and verify the parameters are still in place.

Frequently Asked Questions