What this reader does on the line
The Siemens 6GT2801-1BA20-0AX1 is a GEN2 RFID reader from the SIMATIC RF300 family, purpose-built for reading RF300-specific and ISO 15693 transponders (MDS Dxxx) in scan mode, connecting via RS422 to a control system using the 3964R protocol. It operates at 13.56 MHz with a maximum transfer rate of 106 kbit/s, and its read access time per byte is typically 0.13 ms — fast enough for part tracking on a conveyor line without slowing the product flow. The reader draws 0.06 A typical at 24 VDC, with a supply range of 20.4 to 28.8 V, so it tolerates the voltage sag common on long cable runs in an industrial panel.
IP67 and environmental fit
Rated IP67, the housing and M12 8-pin connector withstand washdown, dust, and hose-directed water — suitable for food-and-bev lines, washdown zones, or outdoor gantry applications where a standard IP20 reader would fail. Shock resistance per EN 60721-3-7 Class 7 M2 at 500 m/s² and vibrational acceleration of 200 m/s² mean it survives the vibration from nearby presses or conveyors without losing read reliability.
Mounting and mechanical details
The housing measures 55 x 75 x 30 mm (W x D x H) in PA 12 material, Ti gray color, fastened with 4 x M5 screws — a standard bolt pattern that fits most machine frames or bracket mounts. This is the special variant with a rotated base plate (90°), designed for scan-mode installations where the antenna orientation needs to be perpendicular to the standard mounting — useful when the transponder passes sideways rather than head-on. The RS422 interface supports cable runs up to 1000 m, so the reader can be mounted at the point of use while the controller sits in a remote cabinet.
The product status is Active, with a listed MTBF of 273 years — a reliability figure that supports continuous 24/7 operation in a production environment without frequent swap-outs.