What the CP 443-1 Advanced does in an S7-400 rack
The Siemens 6GK7443-1EX40-0XE0 is a CP 443-1 Advanced communication processor that snaps into a single-width slot of an S7-400 rack, giving the controller a 10/100 Mbit/s PROFINET interface with integrated four-port switch functionality. It supports NTP time synchronization, making it suitable for applications where coordinated time-stamping across distributed controllers is required. The module can act as a PROFINET IO controller for up to four devices, which is a hard limit — plan your IO topology accordingly if you need more than four PN devices under this one interface.
Firmware and configuration requirements
Configuration requires STEP 7 V5.3 SP3 or higher — older versions of the engineering tool will not recognize this module. For PROFINET CBA operation, SIMATIC iMap V3.0 SP1 or higher is required. The module supports up to 30 OP connections and 2 PG connections simultaneously, which is typical for a mid-range S7-400 communication processor.
The compact module occupies a single-width slot (25 mm wide) in the S7-400 rack, with dimensions of 25 mm x 290 mm x 210 mm (W x H x D). Rated IP20 — intended for installation inside a closed control cabinet, not for field-mounting. Power dissipation is 7.25 W — factor this into your cabinet thermal budget, especially in densely populated racks.