Yes, the Siemens S7-1200 PLC fully supports the Modbus TCP communication protocol. Modbus TCP is an Ethernet-based industrial protocol used for data exchange between automation devices like PLCs, HMIs, drives, and energy meters. It allows the S7-1200 to communicate easily with both Siemens and third-party equipment from brands such as Schneider, Delta, or Omron.
The S7-1200 can act as both a Modbus TCP Client (Master) and a Modbus TCP Server (Slave). In client mode, it can read or write data from other Modbus-compatible devices on the same network. In server mode, it allows other controllers or SCADA systems to access its internal data blocks, I/O values, or process variables. This flexibility makes integration between different automation systems simple and cost-effective.
You can enable Modbus TCP communication on the S7-1200 using Siemens’ TIA Portal software by configuring the “MB_CLIENT” and “MB_SERVER” function blocks. These blocks handle all the Modbus communication functions like reading, writing, and data transfer. Since Modbus TCP runs over standard Ethernet, it uses the same PROFINET port built into the PLC — no special hardware modules are required.
In simple terms, the S7-1200 does support Modbus TCP, allowing it to communicate with a wide range of industrial devices over Ethernet. This makes it a versatile PLC for mixed-brand environments, energy monitoring systems, or applications where third-party instruments must share data with Siemens automation systems.