6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0 New Original 6AV21240GC130AX0 Siemens Touch Panel

Siemens 6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0 — SIMATIC HMI TP700 Comfort Outdoor | 7" Bonded TFT | PROFINET + MPI/PROFIBUS | IP66 | New Original

There's a specific problem that comes up repeatedly in outdoor and harsh-environment HMI installations: standard indoor panels wash out in direct sunlight, their unsealed enclosures let in moisture and dust, and their touchscreens lose sensitivity after a season of UV exposure and thermal cycling. The 6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0 was built specifically to address all three of those problems. It's the SIMATIC HMI TP700 Comfort Outdoor — the outdoor-rated variant of Siemens' established Comfort Panel series — and the differences between this unit and a standard TP700 Comfort are more than cosmetic.

Fully sealed to IP66 at the front face, equipped with a bonded display assembly that eliminates the internal reflection gap that makes standard panels unreadable in bright light, and rated for -20°C to +60°C operating temperature, this panel was designed for control cabinets in open-air substations, water treatment facilities, outdoor conveyor systems, and any installation where the HMI faces real environmental exposure rather than a controlled machine shop floor.

✅ Genuine Siemens. New original. Factory sealed.

Order Number Decoded — 6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0

Siemens SIMATIC HMI order numbers follow a structured format. Here's what each section of 6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0 means:

6AV2124 — Product family identifier for the SIMATIC Comfort Panel series. "6AV2" designates SIMATIC HMI second-generation hardware; "124" identifies the TP (Touch Panel) Comfort product line within that family.

0G — Display size and type code. "0G" designates the 7-inch widescreen display format within the Comfort Panel range. For reference: 0J = 9", 0Q = 12", 0X = 15", etc.

C — Outdoor variant identifier. This single character is the most important distinction in this order number. "C" indicates the Comfort Outdoor version — with bonded display, enhanced IP66 front sealing, extended temperature range, and the high-brightness display assembly. The standard TP700 Comfort (non-outdoor) carries "A" in this position (e.g., 6AV2124-0GC01-0AX0). If you're sourcing a replacement for a panel installed in a harsh environment, confirm this character is "C" before ordering.

1 — Hardware generation/revision indicator.

3 — Configuration memory variant. "3" = 12 MB configuration memory (user project storage).

0AX0 — Regional and certification variant code. "0AX0" indicates the standard international version with CE, cULus, and other international certifications.

Technical Specifications

The "Outdoor" Difference — Why It Actually Matters

The distinction between 6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0 (Comfort Outdoor) and the standard 6AV2124-0GC01-0AX0 (Comfort standard) comes down to four engineering differences that matter significantly in real installations:

1. Bonded display assembly. In a standard HMI panel, there's an air gap between the front protective glass and the LCD panel behind it. That air gap causes internal reflections — light enters through the glass, hits the LCD, bounces back to the glass/air interface, and reflects again toward the viewer. In direct sunlight or bright ambient light, this reflected light competes with the display image and washes it out. Bonded display technology fills that air gap with optical adhesive, eliminating the reflective interface. The result is significantly better contrast and readability in high-ambient-light environments. This is the single biggest practical difference for outdoor installations.

2. IP66 front sealing. Standard Comfort Panels are rated IP65 at the front — protected against water jets from any direction. IP66 adds protection against powerful water jets, which becomes relevant in installations where the panel face may be exposed to pressure washing of the surrounding equipment, heavy rainfall in exposed locations, or washdown in food/beverage adjacent applications.

3. Extended operating temperature. The standard Comfort Panel operates from 0°C to +50°C. The Outdoor version extends this to –20°C to +60°C — a meaningful difference for any installation that experiences below-freezing temperatures (unheated outdoor enclosures in winter) or elevated temperatures (sun-heated steel enclosures in summer).

4. LED backlight and brightness management. The Outdoor version includes auto-dimming capability that adjusts backlight brightness based on ambient light conditions — brighter in direct sunlight, dimmer in low-light conditions to reduce glare and extend backlight life.

Communication Interfaces — PROFINET and MPI/PROFIBUS DP Together

One of the practical advantages of the TP700 Comfort series is having both PROFINET and MPI/PROFIBUS DP interfaces simultaneously available — this matters in more installation scenarios than it might seem at first.

PROFINET (Ethernet-based): The primary communication interface for modern Siemens automation. Connects to S7-1200, S7-1500, S7-300/400 with CP343/443-1 Ethernet modules, and to third-party controllers via OPC UA client/server (built in) or EtherNet/IP (Allen-Bradley). PROFINET also enables the panel's web browser, SIMATIC WinCC SmartServer remote access, and data logging to network shares.

MPI / PROFIBUS DP (RS-422/485): The legacy serial interface that connects directly to S7-300, S7-400, S7-200, and older SIMOTION systems without requiring an Ethernet module on the controller. For machines built on older Siemens hardware that lack an Ethernet port, this interface means the HMI can communicate directly without any controller modification.

Why both interfaces together matters: In retrofit and upgrade scenarios — replacing an older OP/TP panel on an S7-300 machine — the MPI/PROFIBUS interface allows direct drop-in replacement connectivity while PROFINET provides simultaneous connection for engineering access, SCADA integration, or data logging. No infrastructure change needed at the PLC level; the new panel simply has both connection options available.

Compatible Siemens Controllers and Third-Party Systems

The 6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0 has an unusually broad controller compatibility range thanks to its dual interfaces and built-in driver library in WinCC Comfort:

Siemens via PROFINET: SIMATIC S7-1200, S7-1500, S7-300/400 (with Ethernet CP), WinAC (PC-based), SIMOTION

Siemens via MPI/PROFIBUS DP: SIMATIC S7-300, S7-400, S7-200 (via USS/Modbus), older SIMOTION, LOGO! (limited)

Third-party via PROFINET/Ethernet: Allen-Bradley (EtherNet/IP driver, DF1 serial), Mitsubishi (MC TCP/IP, FX series), OMRON (LINK/Multilink), Modicon (Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU), OPC UA client/server for broad SCADA integration

This multi-brand driver support makes the TP700 Comfort Outdoor a viable HMI for mixed-brand installations or sites transitioning from non-Siemens to Siemens automation — the HMI can talk to the existing PLC while the broader automation upgrade is staged.

Software Requirements — WinCC Comfort and TIA Portal

The 6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0 is configured exclusively through Siemens TIA Portal using the WinCC Comfort configuration package. This is important to understand before purchasing:

Minimum software version: WinCC Comfort V13 SP1 (or an HSP — Hardware Support Package — applied to V13 SP1 to support this specific hardware revision). TIA Portal V14, V15, V16, V17, V18, and V19 all support this panel natively.

Older TIA Portal versions: TIA Portal V12 and below cannot configure the TP700 Comfort Outdoor. If your engineering workstation runs older TIA Portal software, a software upgrade is required before creating or modifying projects for this panel.

Windows CE 6.0 note: The panel runs Windows CE 6.0 as its operating system. Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows CE 6.0. This doesn't affect the panel's industrial communication functions or TIA Portal configurability — Siemens continues to maintain the HMI runtime firmware — but it does mean the built-in web browser and other CE-based applications are running on an OS that no longer receives security patches from Microsoft. For air-gapped industrial networks (the typical installation scenario), this is not a practical concern. For panels with direct internet access, it's worth noting.

TP700 Comfort Outdoor vs Adjacent Siemens HMI Options

The TP700 Comfort Outdoor occupies a specific niche: it's the right choice when the 7" form factor fits the panel cutout or operator ergonomic requirement, and the installation environment demands genuine outdoor protection. If the screen needs to be larger and outdoor-rated, step up to the TP1200 Comfort Outdoor. If the environment is controlled and the budget is constrained, the standard TP700 Comfort handles the job without the Outdoor premium.

Typical Applications

Water and wastewater treatment — outdoor pump station controls, aeration basin monitoring, and UV treatment system interfaces where panels are regularly exposed to moisture, washdown, and temperature extremes.

Power distribution and substations — outdoor switchgear control panels and protection relay HMI interfaces where panels face sun exposure, condensation, and extended temperature cycles.

Oil and gas facilities — wellhead monitoring panels, tank farm interfaces, and process area HMIs where ATEX Zone 2 / Division 2 certification (included on this model) is a site requirement rather than an optional consideration.

Port and logistics equipment — crane operator interfaces, dock leveler controls, and container handling systems where the panel is mounted in exposed operator cabs or outdoor control stations.

Agricultural and food processing — outdoor irrigation control panels, grain handling system interfaces, and food production areas requiring IP66 washdown resistance on the panel face.

Transportation infrastructure — tunnel ventilation controls, rail platform equipment interfaces, and highway signaling systems that require extended temperature operation and weatherproofing.

❓ FAQ — Siemens 6AV2124-0GC13-0AX0

Q1: What exactly makes this the "Outdoor" version — what's different from the standard TP700 Comfort?

Four specific engineering differences: (1) Bonded display — optical adhesive fills the air gap between the cover glass and LCD, eliminating internal reflections that wash out the image in direct sunlight; (2) IP66 front sealing vs IP65 on the standard version — stronger protection against high-pressure water jets; (3) Extended operating temperature range: –20°C to +60°C vs 0°C to +50°C on the standard model; (4) LED backlight with auto-dimming that adjusts brightness based on ambient light. The order number character that identifies the Outdoor version is the "C" in "0GC" — the standard version has "0GA" in that position.

Q2: What TIA Portal version do I need to configure this panel?

The minimum required version is TIA Portal with WinCC Comfort V13 SP1, or V13 SP1 with the appropriate Hardware Support Package (HSP) applied. TIA Portal V14 through V19 all support this panel natively without additional HSP. TIA Portal V12 and earlier cannot configure TP700 Comfort panels — if your engineering workstation hasn't been updated beyond V12, a software upgrade is needed before you can create or download projects to this panel.

Q3: Can this HMI communicate with an S7-300 that has no Ethernet module?

Yes — this is one of the practical strengths of the Comfort series. The MPI/PROFIBUS DP port (9-pin Sub-D connector) connects directly to the S7-300's MPI or PROFIBUS DP interface without requiring any Ethernet CP module on the PLC. This makes the TP700 Comfort Outdoor a direct replacement for older OP/TP panels on S7-300 systems, with no hardware changes required at the PLC. Configure the HMI connection in TIA Portal as an MPI or PROFIBUS DP connection to the PLC's CPU interface.

Q4: The panel runs Windows CE 6.0 — is that a security concern?

 It depends on how the panel is networked. Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows CE 6.0, which means no security patches for the underlying OS. However, Siemens continues to maintain the HMI firmware and runtime application independently. For the typical use case — an HMI on an isolated plant network or air-gapped machine network — the CE 6.0 OS presents minimal practical security risk. If the panel is connected to a corporate IT network or has any path to the internet, review Siemens' industrial cybersecurity hardening guidelines (available on the Siemens Industry Support portal) and implement network segmentation between the HMI and any externally-connected network.

Q5: This panel has ATEX Zone 2 certification — does that mean it's intrinsically safe for Zone 1 hazardous areas?

No — ATEX Zone 2 / IECEx Zone 2 certification means the panel is certified for use in areas where explosive atmospheres are occasionally present (Zone 2), not for areas where explosive atmospheres are continuously or frequently present (Zone 0 or Zone 1). For Zone 1 installations, a purged/pressurized enclosure or an intrinsically safe rated panel would be required. ATEX Zone 2 certification is the correct designation for most outdoor oil and gas, chemical plant, and dust-handling installations in areas classified as Zone 2 or Division 2 — but always verify the hazardous area classification of your specific installation location with your site safety engineer before specifying the panel for that location.

Q6: Can this panel display content from non-Siemens PLCs — like an Allen-Bradley CompactLogix?

Yes. The WinCC Comfort runtime includes built-in communication drivers for several third-party PLCs over PROFINET/Ethernet. Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP and DF1 drivers are included, enabling the panel to read and write tags directly from CompactLogix or MicroLogix controllers. Mitsubishi MC TCP/IP (for Q-series and iQ-R), Mitsubishi FX serial, OMRON, and Modbus TCP/Modbus RTU drivers are also available. Configure the third-party PLC connection in TIA Portal's WinCC Comfort device view by selecting the appropriate communication driver under "connections." Note that tag addressing follows the third-party PLC's native addressing convention, not Siemens tag syntax.

Q7: Is a panel cutout template available, and can this panel be mounted in portrait orientation?

The panel cutout dimensions are 197 mm × 141 mm for landscape mounting. Siemens provides full cutout templates and installation documentation in the TP700 Comfort Outdoor operating instructions (available on the Siemens Industry Support portal, document A5E33876876). Portrait orientation mounting is technically possible with a modified cutout, but the standard configuration and TIA Portal project orientation assume landscape — project screen layouts would need to be redesigned for portrait use. Most installations use landscape as the standard orientation.