SINAMICS G120 vs G220: Key Differences Explained

Siemens has expanded the SINAMICS family over the years, and the naming conventions trip people up constantly. G120, G120X, G130, G220 — they all look similar on a purchase order but they are not interchangeable. This guide breaks down what makes each variant different, then walks you through the most common field task: resetting a G120 to factory defaults.

G120 vs G220: The Core Difference

The G120 has been the workhorse of Siemens' modular VFD line for over a decade. Its architecture separates the Control Unit (CU) from the Power Module (PM). You mix and match CU intelligence levels (CU230P, CU240E, CU250S, etc.) with the power module that fits your motor. That modularity is the whole point — swap a blown power module without losing your parameters stored on the CU.

The G220 consolidates that architecture. It integrates the control and power sections more tightly and adds features that matter for modern facility management: a built-in web server for browser-based commissioning, broader fieldbus support out of the box, and a power range that extends well beyond the G120's ceiling. If you are designing a new system today and your panel has room for a slightly different footprint, the G220 is the forward-looking choice. If you are maintaining an existing G120 installation, stay on G120 — the form factors and wiring are different enough that a like-for-like swap is not straightforward.

G120 vs G130: Scale and Mounting Philosophy

People confuse these two because the number sequence implies a minor update. It is not. The G130 is an entirely different class of drive.

The G120 is a distributed, panel-mount or DIN-rail-mount drive. It is designed to live close to the motor, often inside a machine cabinet or a small MCC panel. Power range is moderate — appropriate for the bulk of industrial pumps, conveyors, and fans at typical factory voltages.

The G130 is a standalone, floor-standing cabinet drive. It is engineered for high-power applications — large compressors, mill drives, test stands — where the G120 simply cannot produce enough power. The G130 ships as a full enclosure and requires its own switchgear, whereas a G120 slips into your existing panel. If a colleague asks whether they can "upgrade" from a G120 to a G130, the honest answer is: you are not upgrading, you are replacing an embedded drive with a full drive system. Budget, space, and engineering time are all different orders of magnitude.

G120 vs G120X: Same Family, Different Purpose

The G120X shares the G120's modular DNA but is configured and optimized specifically for pump, fan, and compressor loads. Siemens pre-loads application macros for these use cases, and the G120X includes a condensation protection function and temperature derating behavior tuned for outdoor or HVAC enclosures. The control board has more I/O options relevant to building automation out of the box.

If you are running a centrifugal pump or air handler and want fewer commissioning steps, the G120X saves time. If you are driving a conveyor, extruder, or machine axis, the standard G120 with the right CU gives you more flexibility. Do not substitute G120X hardware onto a G120 mounting position — confirm your enclosure and power wiring are compatible before ordering.

How to Reset a G120 Drive to Factory Defaults

This is the most common field task on a G120. You need to reset when taking over a used drive, clearing a corruption from a bad parameter download, or starting a fresh commissioning run. There are two methods: BOP (Basic Operator Panel) and software (STARTER or TIA Portal). Both accomplish the same thing — they restore parameters to factory state for the selected drive dataset.

Method 1: Reset via BOP / IOP Operator Panel

1. Power up the drive. Wait for the display to show the output frequency or a fault code — either is fine for this procedure.
2. Navigate to parameter P0010. Set it to 30 (factory reset mode). Parameter values and behavior can vary across CU variants and firmware versions — confirm the correct value in your specific CU's operating instructions before executing.
3. Navigate to parameter P0970. Set it to 1 to initiate the reset. The drive will begin restoring defaults. The display will cycle or briefly go blank.
4. Wait for the reset to complete — typically under 30 seconds. The drive will return to normal display when done.
5. Set P0010 back to 0 (ready state) before attempting any new commissioning.

Method 2: Reset via STARTER or TIA Portal

1. Connect your PC to the CU via USB or PROFINET, depending on your CU variant.
2. Go online with the drive in STARTER or the Drive Commissioning screen in TIA Portal.
3. Locate the factory reset function — exact menu names and navigation paths vary by STARTER version and TIA Portal release, so consult the in-tool help or the Siemens Industry Online Support portal for your specific software version.
4. Confirm the action when prompted. The tool will write the reset command and the drive executes it.
5. Go offline, then reconnect and verify the drive is in its default state before beginning fresh commissioning.

Common Problems After a Reset

• Drive shows F01000 or similar fault immediately after reset: Normal. The drive lost its motor data. You must run the motor identification routine (quick commissioning) before it will accept a run command.
• Reset appears to do nothing — parameters unchanged: Confirm P0010 was set to 30 before writing P0970. Order matters. If P0010 was already 0, the reset command is ignored.
• Drive will not communicate after reset: The fieldbus node address and baud rate are also reset to defaults. Re-enter your PROFIBUS/PROFINET address before going online with the controller.
• BOP shows "busy" or "InH" for several seconds: Normal inhibit behavior during the reset write cycle. Do not cycle power. Wait for it to clear.
• G120X reset using G120 procedure behaves differently: Parameter numbering is largely consistent across the family, but behavior can differ between CU variants. Consult the G120X-specific operating instructions to confirm the reset procedure applies to your hardware before executing.

When Replacement Makes More Sense Than Reset

A reset fixes software states. It does not fix a damaged IGBT, a failed gate driver, a burnt input filter, or a cracked CU board. If your G120 throws hardware-related faults that survive a reset — overcurrent on no load, random undervoltage on a stable supply, I/O that reads wrong regardless of configuration — the hardware is suspect. At that point you need a tested replacement unit, not another parameter cycle.

For the full G120 operating instructions and firmware release notes, use the Siemens Industry Online Support portal — search your exact CU order number to pull the correct document version for your hardware.

Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general information only. Procedures vary by model, series, and firmware version. Industrial equipment can cause serious injury, equipment damage, or downtime if serviced incorrectly. Always consult the manufacturer's official documentation and a qualified professional before performing work, and follow your facility's lockout/tagout and safety procedures. PLC Department is an independent surplus supplier and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the manufacturers referenced. Use this information at your own discretion.