S7-300 in 2026: when it still makes sense, when to pick S7-1500
Siemens has officially moved S7-300 to Legacy status. What that means for us in practice. We see two recurring requests. First: a customer needs to swap a failed CPU or module on an old line where the whole program is written in STEP 7 Classic and nobody plans to rewrite it. Second: a customer needs to add a duplicate cabinet to an existing system without introducing a new environment. We keep S7-300 in stock for both (ask us for specific 6ES7 part-number availability).
Our Siemens PLC catalog carries 94 S7-300 SKUs: CPU 313C / 314C / 315-2 PN/DP / 317-2, digital SM 321/322, analog SM 331/332 (including thermocouples), CP 343-1 communication processors, IM 360/361 rack interfaces, PS 307 power supplies. Programmable in both STEP 7 V5.5/V5.6 (classic) and TIA Portal (from V13).
Should you put S7-300 into a new project
Short answer: no, take S7-1500 instead (per Siemens datasheet 10-20x faster, built-in PROFINET, F-variants for SIL2/SIL3). For smaller jobs — S7-1200: compact, cheaper, same TIA Portal. We only ship S7-300 when there is hard compatibility with an installed base, or the engineering team is locked into STEP 7 Classic and a TIA migration is off the table.
What we ask before quoting. First: exact 6ES7 code from the side label (CPU or module), to avoid revision mismatches. Second: do you have the MMC card with the program (otherwise we ship blank and you re-flash). Third: communication channel (MPI/PROFIBUS DP or PROFINET), because PROFINET needs a separate CP 343-1. One catch: some SKUs are EU-order with 7-14 day lead time. Common CPUs and PSUs sit on our regular shelf.
Where S7-300 is used
- Manufacturing lines and conveyors — cycle control, drive synchronisation.
- Water treatment and pump stations — PID control, pump alternation.
- HVAC systems — centralized air handling control.
- Machine tools and packaging — axis positioning, part counting.
- Power distribution — monitoring, SCADA integration via PROFIBUS DP.
S7-300 modules and accessories
- CPU — 313C, 314C, 315-2, 317-2.
- SM 321/322 — digital I/O.
- SM 331/332 — analog I/O.
- CP 343-1 — Ethernet/PROFINET.
- IM 360/361 — rack interface.
Migrating from S7-300 to S7-1500
S7-300 is a Legacy platform. For new projects: S7-1500 or S7-1200. Existing installations continue to operate, spare parts available.
Warranty and delivery
All S7-300 controllers ship with official warranty. Delivery across Ukraine via Nova Poshta. Bank transfer with VAT or cash on delivery.