SINAMICS CU320-2 License Not Adequate: Resolving F13000 Alarms

SINAMICS CU320-2 License Not Adequate: Resolving F13000 / A13000 Alarms on FW 4.6 and 4.7

1. Problem Description

The CU320-2 reports one of the following diagnostics immediately after a commissioning upload, drive object activation, or warm restart of the Control Unit:

• Alarm A13000 "License not adequate" with diagnostic value r2124 = 2 (Performance feature not licensed for current axis count).
• Fault F13000 "License not adequate" when the drive cannot enter RUN with the missing entitlement.
• RDY LED flashing red/green on the CU320-2 at 0.5 Hz with no further commissioning possible.
• STARTER warning "License key inadequate" in the license overview dialog.

Typical trigger configurations:

1. Four or more drive objects of type SERVO or VECTOR are present on a single CU320-2. The Performance license is required from the fourth axis onwards for these modes.
2. A second CompactFlash card is inserted that was generated for a different CU serial number, invalidating the license binding.
3. A topology is uploaded that includes a Safety Extended (SS1, SLS, SDI) function on a CU whose CF card only carries the Basic Safety Integrated entitlement.
4. The system was migrated from a CU310-2 to a CU320-2 using the same project offline without re-entering the license key.

The behavior is identical for CU320-2 DP (order number 6SL3040-1MA00-0AA0 / ...-0AA1) and CU320-2 PN (6SL3040-1MA01-0AA0 / ...-0AA1). Both are governed by the same firmware package and license model.

2. Root Cause Analysis

SINAMICS S120 implements runtime licensing through a license key file KEY.TXT stored on the Control Unit's CompactFlash card. The firmware reads the license entitlements at every boot and compares them against the active drive object list. When the comparison fails, the alarm or fault is raised.

The two most frequent root causes in field installations are:

2.1 Performance feature not licensed for axis count

For SERVO and VECTOR control modes, the firmware-resident default license permits three axes per CU320-2 without additional cost. The fourth axis and every axis above requires the Performance option (order number 6SL3074-0AA01-0AA0). V/f and U/f control modes are exempt up to six axes, so a topology of three V/f drives plus one Smart Line Module and one Terminal Module does not require a Performance license. If alarm A13000 still appears in such a topology, the cause is a different license class (typically Safety Extended or a technology extension) and not the Performance entitlement.

2.2 Safety entitlement mismatch

When the project enables any Extended Safety function (SS1 with external stop, SLS with position-controlled monitoring, SDI, SLP, SLA, SOS, SS2, or F-DI/F-DO mapping), the firmware checks for the matching Safety license. The Basic Safety Integrated entitlement (STO and SS1 with time-controlled braking) is included with the CF card; the Extended Safety entitlement requires the Safety license 6SL3074-0AA10-0AA0 (or the corresponding TIA Portal option). If the engineering tool activated a safety function but no license key is present for it, the firmware raises A13000 or A13010 with diagnostic r2124 = 31 (Safety Extended feature not licensed).

2.3 License binding to CF card serial number

Each license key is bound to the CompactFlash card's serial number. Inserting a different CF card, even if it carries the same firmware, invalidates every stored license. The only exception is the sub-licensed scenario where the SINAMICS S120 is connected to a SIMATIC Drive Controller (see SIMATIC Drive Controller runtime licensing). In that case, the licenses are managed by the S7-1500 CPU rather than the CF card.

3. License Architecture on CU320-2

The Performance option is mandatory as of the fourth axis for SERVO and VECTOR modes. The exact wording from SINAMICS S120 Function Manual, chapter 13.14 (page 888):

The "Performance" option (order number: 6SL3074-0AA01-0AA0) is required as of the 4th axis (for SERVO/VECTOR).

4. Affected Configurations Matrix

The Smart Line Module (SLM) and Terminal Modules (TM15, TM31, TM41) are management objects for the DC bus and I/O. They are not counted as drive axes for Performance license purposes. A topology of three V/f drives, one SLM, and one TM15 does not require Performance. If A13000 still appears in that case, the cause is a missing Extended Safety or DCB license, not Performance.

5. Identifying the Exact Alarm Variant

Before purchasing or entering a license, decode the alarm value to confirm which entitlement is missing.

Read r2124 from the active alarm buffer (STARTER online → Control Unit diagnostics → Alarm buffer, or directly via the parameter list). The value isolates the missing entitlement so the correct license can be ordered.

6. Prerequisites for License Activation

1. STARTER V5.1 SP1 or higher (for FW 4.6) or TIA Portal V15.1 / Startdrive V15.1 or higher (for FW 4.7 projects).
2. Online connection to the CU320-2 via PROFIBUS, PROFINET, or Ethernet service interface (X127).
3. The CompactFlash card physically installed in the CU320-2 slot.
4. The license certificate supplied with the Performance or Safety option. Each certificate carries a unique 24-character license key.
5. The License Key Number (also called the Confirmation Code) is printed on the certificate and on the package of the CF card if the license was factory-bundled.
6. Know the order number of the CF card installed. For FW 4.7 this is 6SL3054-0EH01-1BA0.

7. Step-by-Step: Entering the License Key via STARTER

1. Open the project in STARTER and go online with the CU320-2 (right-click the drive → Go online).
2. Select the Control Unit node in the project tree and open the Licenses workbench dialog (menu Options → Licenses).
3. The license overview lists every entitlement detected on the CF card and every entitlement required by the active project. Entries shown in red are missing.
4. Click Enter license key.... Type the 24-character key from the Performance or Safety certificate, including the hyphens, into the dialog.
5. Click Assign. STARTER writes the key to the Control Unit via p9920 and then triggers p9921 to commit the license.
6. Wait for the confirmation dialog. The license is now stored in the file KEY.TXT on the CompactFlash card and is retained across power cycles.
7. Perform a CU restart (disconnect and re-apply the 24 V supply, or use STARTER Commissioning → Restart) so the firmware re-reads the updated KEY.TXT.
8. Verify that the RDY LED of the CU320-2 is steady green and that no A13000 / F13000 is present in the alarm buffer.

8. Step-by-Step: Entering the License Key via Parameter p9920 / p9921

Use this method when STARTER is not available (for example when commissioning through a Basic Operator Panel BOP20 or when the project is offline).

1. Switch the CU320-2 online via the BOP20 or via STARTER parameter access.
2. Navigate to p9920 (CU_LICENCE_KEY_INPUT). The parameter is a string of up to 24 characters.
3. Enter the license key exactly as printed on the certificate, including hyphens. Do not add spaces.
4. Set p9921 (CU_LICENCE_KEY_CONFIRM) to 1 to commit the change. The firmware writes the key to the CF card.
5. Set p9921 = 0 after the write completes. A successful write sets the parameter back to 0 automatically within 2-3 seconds.
6. Check p0999 or r0999 for the current license status. The value field shows the bit mask of active entitlements.
7. Perform a CU restart so the license takes effect on the active topology.

9. Step-by-Step: Entering the License Key via TIA Portal / Startdrive

For SIMATIC Drive Controller and TIA Portal-managed CU320-2 projects:

1. Open the project in TIA Portal and select the drive device.
2. Open the Licenses editor under Properties → Runtime licenses.
3. Click Assign license and paste the 24-character key. TIA Portal handles the sub-licensing automatically when the SINAMICS S120 is paired with a SIMATIC Drive Controller.
4. Compile the project and download to the controller.
5. The licenses are stored both in the S7-1500 CPU's license database (for SIMATIC Drive Controller scenarios) and in the KEY.TXT on the CU320-2 CF card (for standalone S120 scenarios). See runtime licensing for the SIMATIC Drive Controller for the full sub-licensing flow.

10. Verification Procedures

10.1 STARTER license overview

Open Options → Licenses while online with the CU320-2. Every required entitlement should appear with a green check mark. A red X indicates the entitlement is still missing.

10.2 Read the KEY.TXT file

Power down the CU320-2, remove the CompactFlash card, and read it with a standard CF card reader. Open KEY.TXT in a text editor. Each line lists one license key together with the associated order number. The Performance license appears as a line beginning with the product family identifier and the order number 6SL3074-0AA01-0AA0.

10.3 RDY LED state

The most reliable field check: with the CU320-2 in RUN and no fault condition, the RDY LED must be steady green. Any red component (steady, flashing, or alternating with green) indicates that at least one license is still missing or that another fault is present.

10.4 Parameter r0999 license status word

Read r0999 after a successful license entry. The status word bit-codes the active entitlements. The Performance license corresponds to bit 1 of the lower word. r0999 = 0x0002 indicates Performance is licensed. Combined with the safety entitlement, the expected word is 0x000A (Performance + Safety Extended).

11. Sub-Licensing with SIMATIC Drive Controller

When the SINAMICS S120 CU320-2 is integrated as the drive subsystem of a SIMATIC Drive Controller (S7-1500 + integrated SINAMICS), the license model uses sub-licensing: each S7-1500 CPU carries its own license database, and the drive-related licenses are recorded against the CPU's license master record. The CF card of the CU320-2 still requires a base firmware license, but the option entitlements (Performance, Safety Extended, DCB, OA) are transferred from the CPU's license pool to the CF card during commissioning.

The sub-licensing sequence:

1. Install the option license on the SIMATIC Drive Controller CPU via TIA Portal License management.
2. Open the SIMATIC Drive Controller project online.
3. Open the Runtime licenses editor on the SINAMICS S120 subsystem.
4. Click Assign to push the sub-license from the CPU to the CU320-2 CF card. TIA Portal writes KEY.TXT automatically.
5. Restart the SINAMICS subsystem to commit the license.

Refer to the official TIA Portal help page runtime licensing for SIMATIC Drive Controller for the full procedure, including handling of sub-license responses when a license is unavailable in the CPU pool.

12. Troubleshooting Matrix

13. Operational Notes and Caveats

• CF card write-protection. The compact flash card has a physical write-protect slider on its side. If the slider is in the lock position, p9920 cannot commit the license and the write returns a parameter access error. Always confirm the slider position before troubleshooting a failed license entry.
• License key case sensitivity. The license key is case-sensitive. Enter uppercase characters exactly as printed on the certificate. Lowercase characters will be rejected silently in some STARTER versions, with no error dialog.
• Restoring a project from a different CU. Downloading a project archived from CU_A to CU_B does not transfer the license because the license is bound to the CF card of CU_A. Re-enter the license key on CU_B's CF card.
• Axis redefinition. Changing a drive object from SERVO to VECTOR triggers a license re-check. If the new mode requires an entitlement not previously required, the alarm is raised immediately after the topology download.
• Safety integrity. Adding any Extended Safety function in the project upgrades the safety license requirement. This is independent of the Performance license and must be ordered separately.
• RDY LED during commissioning. During a STARTER online session with the CU in commissioning mode, the RDY LED flashes green at 0.5 Hz. This is normal and does not indicate a license issue.
• Multiple licenses on one CF card. A single CF card can carry any combination of Performance, Safety Extended, DCB Extension, and OA licenses. They all coexist in KEY.TXT as separate lines.
• Firmware downgrade. Downgrading from V4.7 to V4.6 does not invalidate the license, but the license file format may change between major firmware versions. After a downgrade, verify that the license is still recognized by reading r0999 and checking for active alarms.
• Empty CF card. A brand new CF card supplied without factory-bundled licenses carries only the Basic entitlement. Inserting it into a CU320-2 with a multi-axis SERVO/VECTOR topology immediately triggers A13000.
• RDY LED red/green pattern in field. When the field engineer reports a red/green alternating RDY LED without being able to attach STARTER, the most common root cause is that the license key was never entered on that CF card. Confirm the CF card order number and trace the license certificate to that hardware.

14. Quick Reference - Order Numbers

15. Sources of Information

• SINAMICS S120 Function Manual (FH1), chapter 13.14 Licensing, page 888
• SIMATIC Drive Controller runtime licensing (TIA Portal help)
• SINAMICS S120 Commissioning Manual (online help in STARTER V5.x)
• SINAMICS S120 List Manual (parameter list r2124, p9920, p9921, r0999)

Frequently Asked Questions