Schneider Magelis HMI: When to Pick STO, When STU, and When the Project Calls for XBT
We recommend Magelis to customers already running the Schneider stack: Modicon M340/M580 controllers, Altivar drives, Altistart soft starters. The point of buying Magelis exactly then: one shared engineering environment (EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert or Vijeo Designer), one spare-parts pool, Modbus TCP integration without gateways. If the project is on Mitsubishi or Delta we steer the customer to Delta DOP/TP or Veichi VI20: the brand premium adds no value there.
The lineup splits into three legs. Magelis STO: 3.4" monochrome for local indication (pump on or off, temperature, pressure). STU: colour TFT 3.5" or 5.7" 320x240, the sweet spot for dosing units and compact machines. XBT: 5.7" to 15" with Ethernet, RS-422/485 and Modbus TCP/Profinet/EtherNet/IP. These are already SCADA-style HMIs for boiler houses, waterworks, dispatch rooms. ATEX certification is available on selected XBT models: ask before ordering.
Which Magelis Fits Your Site
Three questions we ask the customer. First: which PLC will poll the panel (Modicon M340 over TIA-equivalent, other PLCs via Modbus TCP/RTU). Second: how many variables need monitoring (50+ does it for STU, 500+ pushes us to XBT). Third: whether remote access is required (XBT ships with VNC and a built-in web server). Manufacturer warranty 24 months. The Vijeo Designer or EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert licence is bundled with the panel. Delivery from our Kyiv warehouse in 1-2 days. Side-by-side of the popular models:
| Model | Series | Diagonal | Resolution | Ports | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMISTO511 | STO | 3.4" | 200x80 | RS-232/485 | Local indication, pumps, HVAC |
| HMISTU655 | STU | 3.5" TFT | 320x240 | RS-232/485 | Compact machines, dosing systems |
| HMISTU855 | STU | 5.7" TFT | 320x240 | RS-232/485 | Packaging equipment, conveyors |
| XBTGT2130 | XBT | 5.7" | 320x240 | RS-232/422/485 + Ethernet | Boiler rooms, water treatment, shop floor |
| XBTGT5330 | XBT | 10.4" TFT | 640x480 | RS-232/422/485 + Ethernet | SCADA visualization, control rooms |
For small installations with 1–2 drives, the STO series with Modbus RTU is sufficient. For networked systems with remote monitoring, choose XBT with Ethernet — they support VNC access and a built-in web server. The STU series offers the best balance between color visualization and budget.
HMI Panel Manufacturers in Our Catalog
In addition to Schneider Electric, our catalog features alternative HMI brands for various applications and budgets:
- Kinco HMI Panels — the best-selling brand by volume, MT4x00 and MT6x00 series with touchscreen TFT and Ethernet
- Delta HMI Panels — TP and DOP series with Delta PLC protocol support and a wide range of screen sizes
Schneider Electric is chosen when integration with the Modicon/Altivar ecosystem is required, ATEX certification for hazardous areas is mandatory, or a corporate standard demands single-vendor equipment.
Schneider Panels by Specifications
To select the right Schneider Electric HMI by technical parameters, use the catalog filters:
- By diagonal: 3.4" (STO), 3.5" (STU), 5.7" (STU/XBT), 7.5–15" (XBT)
- By interface: RS-232/485 (basic series), Ethernet + RS-422/485 (XBT series)
- By protocol: Modbus RTU (all series), Modbus TCP/IP (STO with Ethernet, XBT), Profinet and EtherNet/IP (HMIG5U)
- By matrix: monochrome STN (STO, basic XBT), color TFT 65,536 colors (STU, advanced XBT)
Warranty & Support
All Schneider Electric HMI panels come with a 24-month warranty from the date of sale. We provide a Vijeo Designer or EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert software license with each panel purchase. Delivery across Ukraine via Nova Poshta (1–2 days), free shipping on orders over UAH 5,000. Payment — bank transfer with VAT for businesses or prepayment for individuals. Free technical support for selection and configuration.
