SINAMICS G110 vs V20 Drive: Migration Guide and Spec Comparison

Overview: SINAMICS G110 and SINAMICS V20 Positioning

The SINAMICS G110 and SINAMICS V20 are Siemens low-voltage single-axis AC drives engineered for basic variable-torque and constant-torque loads such as pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors, mixers, and simple material handling. Both sit at the entry level of the SINAMICS family and use a scalar V/Hz (open-loop) control law without encoder feedback or field-oriented closed-loop functions. The two product lines share an identical functional envelope, but they are not drop-in compatible, and the G110 is no longer in active new-sales promotion in most regions because the V20 has assumed the role of its successor.

Siemens publishes a dedicated migration flyer titled From SINAMICS G110 to SINAMICS V20 that documents the terminal, parameter, and frame-size mapping required to substitute a V20 for a G110. The V20 product page on the Siemens US site lists the converter range as 0.12 kW to 30 kW, which is the same envelope historically covered by the G110. A separate DigiKey-hosted copy of the Siemens migration document (Let's switch over! Migration from G110 to V20) is widely referenced in distributor catalogs. Treat both as primary Siemens documents for the migration question.

Power Range, Voltage Classes, and Frame Sizes

The two drives differ in the breadth of their voltage and frame offerings. The G110 is built only for single-phase 200–240 V AC supply. The V20 is a dual-platform product:

• 200–240 V AC, single-phase (1AC): 0.12 kW to 3.0 kW
• 380–480 V AC, three-phase (3AC): 0.37 kW to 30 kW

This is a critical selection criterion. If the cabinet is fed from a 400 V three-phase system, the G110 cannot be used and the V20 must be specified. If the machine is wired from a 230 V single-phase service, both products remain candidates and the choice is driven by features, lifecycle, and tooling rather than electrical compatibility.

The V20 is offered in five frame sizes (FSA, FSB, FSC, FSD, FSE) covering the full power range. The exact kW-to-frame mapping is voltage-dependent; the 230 V single-phase and 400 V three-phase variants do not share identical frame assignments. The G110, by contrast, was offered in a smaller, single-voltage family with similar low-power frame definitions. For cabinet-cutout planning, refer to the dimensional drawings in the operating instructions rather than inferring from power rating alone.

Control Architecture and Motor Compatibility

Both converters are V/Hz (volts-per-hertz) open-loop drives. The following control features are common to the G110 and the V20:

• Linear V/Hz curve for constant-torque loads (conveyors, mixers)
• Quadratic V/Hz curve for variable-torque loads (pumps, fans, compressors)
• Programmable V/Hz curve for special motors
• Programmable ramp-up / ramp-down times (0 to 650 s)
• Slip compensation for improved speed accuracy under load steps
• Motor potentiometer (MOP) digital reference
• Fixed frequency setpoints (typically 15 selectable)

The V20 adds features not present in the G110:

• Energy-saving mode (ECO mode) that automatically reduces output voltage at partial load
• Higher switching frequency range (up to 16 kHz) with audible-noise reduction modes
• Integrated PID controller for closed-loop process control (pressure, flow, level, temperature)
• Built-in braking module on selected frame sizes (chopper transistor integrated; external braking resistor required)
• Load torque monitoring and dry-running / broken-belt detection for pump protection
• Frozen signal, dual ramp, and ride-through functions
• Sleep / wake-up mode for pump staging

Motor compatibility is identical in principle. Both drives operate asynchronous induction motors, and both are not designed for permanent-magnet synchronous motors or reluctance motors. For PMSM control, select SINAMICS V90, S210, or S120 instead.

Control Terminals, I/O, and Wiring

Terminal count and assignment are similar but not identical between the two drives. The SINAMICS V20 base unit exposes:

• 5 digital inputs (DI1–DI5), 24 V DC, PNP/NPN selectable
• 1 analog input (AI1), 0–10 V or 0/4–20 mA, switchable
• 1 analog output (AO1), 0–10 V or 4–20 mA, configurable
• 1 relay output (DO1), changeover contact, 250 V AC / 2 A
• 1 transistor output (DO2), 24 V DC / 100 mA
• RS485 port on terminal block (USS, Modbus RTU)
• STO (Safe Torque Off) input on the V20 (SIL 2 / PL d capable, depending on wiring)

The G110 base unit has a smaller set: typically 3 digital inputs, 1 analog input, 1 relay output, and RS485 (USS/Modbus RTU). The V20 is therefore a functional superset at the I/O level. Any G110-to-V20 migration must re-validate the wiring diagram, especially:

1. Digital input assignment (DI1–DI5 vs DI1–DI3 on G110)
2. Analog input mode selection (voltage vs current, PNP vs NPN)
3. Relay output contact rating and terminal numbering
4. RS485 A/B/+ terminal polarity (signals are not always cross-compatible when the shield is bonded to PE at the drive end)
5. STO wiring — if the original machine had no STO loop, leaving the V20 STO terminals open will prevent the drive from starting

Communication: RS485, USS, and Modbus RTU

Both the G110 and the V20 are fieldbus-light products. Their only standard communication interface is RS485, running either the Siemens USS protocol (Universal Serial Interface) or Modbus RTU. The V20 supports Modbus RTU out of the box; the G110 supports USS and Modbus RTU depending on firmware version.

Key communication parameters:

Neither drive supports PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, or CANopen from the base unit. For these protocols, the next step up in the SINAMICS portfolio is the SINAMICS G120 (with CU240E-2 or CU250S-2 Control Unit and plug-in communications modules such as PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP) or the SINAMICS V90 with PROFINET.

The G110 was supported by the legacy STARTER commissioning tool and by DriveMonitor (USS over RS232). The V20 is not supported by STARTER or DriveMonitor. Commissioning is performed with one of the following:

• BOP (Basic Operator Panel): 7-segment display, pushbuttons, parameter read/write on the drive.
• IOP (Intelligent Operator Panel): graphical display, plain-language menu, plain-text fault display, application wizards.
• SINAMICS V20 Smart Access (also called the Web Server Module): a plug-on module that creates a Wi-Fi access point; the drive is then configured from a phone or laptop using a web browser.
• SINAMICS V20 PC tool: a free Windows commissioning utility shipped by Siemens for V20 parameter upload/download and firmware updates.

Parameter Mapping for G110 to V20 Migration

The V20 parameter structure is numerically different from the G110. G110 parameters used the r0xxx / P0xxx / n0xxx style indexing; the V20 uses a parameter block hierarchy with P-number groups such as P0 (basic), P1 (ramp / control), P2 (motor data), P3 (I/O), P4 (setpoint), P5 (PID), P7 (faults), P8 (display), P10 (serial link), P11 (application), P12 (motor), P13 (motor control), P14 (Modbus), P15 (data set), P19 (parameter set), P20 (communication), and P21 (PID). Direct one-to-one mapping is rarely possible; instead, the equivalent function must be re-implemented using the new parameter.

Examples of common migrations:

Fault and Warning Codes

The V20 expands the fault code set beyond the G110. Both drives use the Fxxxx and Axxxx coding convention. Common codes that frequently appear on commissioning:

Many G110-era faults are renumbered on the V20. F0001, F0002, F0003, F0004, F0011, F0021, and F0022 retain their numeric identity, while V20-specific faults are appended. When migrating a documented fault handler from G110 to V20, treat the new V20 Parameter List as authoritative.

Application Sizing Examples

The formulas below use RMS line current. If only the motor nameplate is available, the motor rated current is the line current directly.

Three-phase apparent power: kVA = sqrt(3) × V_LL × I_line / 1000

Single-phase apparent power: kVA = V × I / 1000

Case 1 — Conveyor, 0.75 kW, 400 V three-phase. Motor nameplate current ≈ 2.0 A. kVA = 1.732 × 400 × 2.0 / 1000 = 1.386 kVA. With a typical 120 % short-term overload on the V20, the drive can deliver 2.4 A for 60 s. This is within the 0.75 kW V20 rating (typically 6SL3210-5BE27-5UV0 for the unfiltered variant, or 6SL3210-5BE27-5AV0 for the filtered variant). A 400 V three-phase drive is mandatory; the G110 cannot be used.

Case 2 — Fan, 2.2 kW, 230 V single-phase. Motor nameplate current ≈ 9.5 A. kVA = 230 × 9.5 / 1000 = 2.185 kVA. Both the G110 and the V20 have variants in this range. For a new build, the V20 2.2 kW single-phase variant (typically 6SL3210-5BE32-2UV0) is recommended. The G110 is generally not orderable new.

Case 3 — Pump, 5.5 kW, 400 V three-phase. Motor current ≈ 11.3 A. kVA = 1.732 × 400 × 11.3 / 1000 = 7.83 kVA. A 5.5 kW V20 3AC 400 V variant is appropriate. Select the corresponding V20 with integrated line filter if the cabinet must meet EN 61800-3 Class A or Class B (with external filter).

Case 4 — Compressor, 11 kW, 400 V three-phase. Motor current ≈ 21 A. kVA = 1.732 × 400 × 21 / 1000 = 14.55 kVA. This is the upper-mid range of the V20 400 V family; the drive is rated for 25 A continuous. Plan to wire 5-conductor 6 mm² copper, install a line reactor if the supply impedance is below 1 % (typically required for IGBT inverter protection on weak grids), and confirm cable length does not exceed the EMC limits declared in the manual.

EMC, Environment, and Electrical Installation

Both drives are designed for industrial environment class 3C2 (standard) or 3C3 (with coated PCB option) per EN 60721-3-3. The V20 offers a wider range of operating temperature options: –10 °C to +40 °C without derating, up to +60 °C with derating. The G110 was specified for 0 °C to +40 °C standard with reduced ratings to +50 °C. The V20 therefore fits a wider range of unconditioned cabinets.

EMC class:

• Unfiltered V20 variants (suffix ...UV0): industrial environment, may require additional filtering for residential-area installations.
• Filtered V20 variants (suffix ...AV0): built-in Class A filter; with the external footprint filter, Class B per EN 61800-3.
• Shielded motor cable with 360° bond at both ends is mandatory for EMC compliance. Use cable with a symmetrical three-phase structure plus PE conductor.

Grounding: PE terminal must be bonded to cabinet protective earth with a conductor sized to the same cross-section as the line conductor, never smaller. High-frequency bonding requires a flat, low-inductance connection; a pigtail longer than 5 cm degrades the EMC performance.

Migration Checklist from G110 to V20

Use this checklist when replacing a G110 with a V20 in an existing cabinet.

1. Capture the existing G110 parameter set: connect STARTER or a USS terminal to read every P-parameter, including user-level P0xxx, expert-level r0xxx, and any internal P9999 machine data.
2. Document the wiring diagram: every digital input, every analog signal, RS485 polarity, PE bond, and any external 24 V supply feeding the drive.
3. Select the V20 frame from the Siemens migration flyer or the V20 catalog. The dimensional drawing often differs; the mounting holes and the overall height are similar but the depth can vary between frame sizes.
4. Re-wire the I/O: DI1–DI5 on V20 vs DI1–DI3 on G110, plus the extra DI4/DI5 if they are unused on the original machine. The analog input mode switch (V/I) must be set to match the source.
5. Jumper or wire the STO input on the V20. If the original G110 cabinet had no STO circuit, the STO terminals on the V20 must be jumpered to 24 V to allow the drive to start.
6. Re-map the parameters using the table above as a starting point. Save to one of the V20 saving sets (parameter set 0 or 1) for backup.
7. Run the motor data identification (P1900 = 2 on the V20) the first time the motor is started. This measures stator resistance and sets the slip compensation accurately.
8. Validate the safety functions: if the cabinet has an STO loop, test the STO response time and the reaction of the safety relay before the machine is returned to production.
9. Verify communication: if the PLC talks to the G110 over Modbus RTU, confirm the new address (P2014[0]), baud (P2015[0]), and parity (P2016) match the PLC configuration. The V20 may also require the register map to be refreshed from the Parameter List, because some holding register addresses differ from the G110.
10. Run a load test: ramp the motor through the full speed range under load and verify motor current, DC bus voltage, and any thermal warnings.
11. Update the documentation: as-built drawings, BOM, and the machine's technical file should be updated to reflect the V20 order number and the new parameter set.

When to Choose the V20 over the G110

The V20 should be selected whenever any of the following apply:

• Supply is three-phase 400 V — the G110 cannot be used at all.
• Built-in PID is required for process control (pressure, level, flow).
• Energy-saving mode (ECO) is required at partial load.
• Modbus RTU is the primary communication protocol.
• STO is required by the machine's risk assessment.
• Long-term spare-part availability is required; the G110 is end-of-lifecycle.
• The drive is to be configured from a smartphone or tablet using the Smart Access module.

The G110 should be retained only as a form-fit-function replacement for a G110 already in a deployed machine where the cabinet geometry, the I/O, and the existing parameter set are frozen, and the only goal is to swap a single faulty unit for an identical one. In that constrained case, a V20 introduces rework and a full re-commissioning, which is typically more expensive than ordering the last available spare G110 on the secondary market.

Frequently Asked Questions