What this RFID reader does and where it fits
The Siemens 6GT2801-5BA30 is an RFID reader operating at 13.56 MHz, designed to communicate with RF300 and ISO 15693 transponders. It connects directly to an Ethernet network via two M12 D-coded ports, supporting PROFINET IO and an integrated OPC UA server for data exchange. The reader also supports DCP and LLDP for network discovery and configuration. Rated for 24 VDC supply (20.4... 28.8 V range) with a typical draw of 0.15 A at 24 V, the unit is powered through an M12 L-coded socket. The IP67-rated housing (PA 12 material, Ti gray) and a temperature range of 0... 55 °C during operation make it suitable for washdown or dusty industrial environments. Read and write access times are both 0.13 ms per byte typical. The reader is not multitag-capable and its range depends on the transponder type — up to 150 mm under favorable conditions. Mounting uses four M5 screws; dimensions are 141 mm wide, 80 mm deep, 42 mm high.
What the key ratings mean for fit
The 13.56 MHz operating frequency places this reader in the HF band, which is well-suited for item-level tracking where read range is moderate (up to 150 mm) and the tag can be placed close to the reader. The PROFINET IO protocol means it can be integrated directly into a Siemens PLC environment without a separate gateway — the reader appears as a PROFINET device on the network. OPC UA support allows data to be served to higher-level systems (MES, SCADA) without additional middleware. The IP67 rating and 0... 55 °C operating range mean the reader can be mounted directly on a conveyor line or in a washdown zone without an additional enclosure. The 0.15 A draw at 24 VDC is modest — a standard 24 VDC power supply can feed multiple readers on the same circuit.