The Siemens 6GT2801-3BA10-0AX2 is a SIMATIC RF380R GEN2 HF RFID reader with an integrated antenna, designed for reading/writing RF300, ISO 15693, and MOBY E transponders at 13.56 MHz. It connects via an M12 8-pin connector using RS422 or RS232 interfaces (3964R protocol) and is powered at 24 VDC nominal (20.4 to 28.8 V range), drawing 0.15 A typical. This particular variant carries ATEX II 3 G Ex ec IIB T4 Gc and II 3 D Ex tc IIIC T80 °C Dc certification plus IECEx Gc/Dc marking, making it suitable for Zone 2/22 gas and dust hazardous areas.
The 200 mm read range is transponder-dependent — the actual usable distance varies with tag type and orientation, so verify against your specific transponder using Siemens support note 67384964. The 13.56 MHz operating frequency and 106 kbit/s maximum transfer rate place it in the HF band, suitable for item-level tracking where near-field coupling is preferred over UHF's longer range. RS422 interface supports cable runs up to 1000 m, while RS232 is limited to 30 m — choose the interface based on distance to the controller. The IP64 protection rating means it's dust-tight and splash-resistant, but not rated for pressurized washdown; for food-and-bev lines with hose-down cleaning, an IP65/IP67 variant would be required. The MTBF of 173 a (approximately 1.5 million hours) reflects a solid reliability figure for a continuously operating read point in a factory environment. This is a mean value — individual units may fail earlier or later, but it supports the part's suitability for 24/7 production lines where unplanned downtime is costly.
The reader measures 160 mm deep × 80 mm wide × 41 mm high and mounts using 4 × M5 screws — no DIN-rail clip, so plan for direct panel or bracket mounting. The Ti gray PA 12 housing is silicon-free, which matters for paint-shop or coating-line applications where silicone contamination can cause adhesion defects. Shock resistance per EN 60721-3-7 Class 7 M2 (500 m/s²) and vibration resistance (200 m/s²) make it robust for mounting on moving equipment like conveyors or AGVs.