What it is and what it does
The Siemens 6GT2811-5BA00-2AA1 is a UHF RFID reader from the RF600 family, operating in the 920-925 MHz band. It reads EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 2 / ISO 18000-6C transponders at a standard range of 5 m, with extended ranges possible per the RF600 System Manual. The reader communicates via an M12 8-pin interface and is rated for 24 V DC supply, drawing 0.47 A maximum.
Key ratings and what they mean for fit
The 920-925 MHz operating frequency places this reader in the UHF band used for long-range RFID in logistics, asset tracking, and production line identification. The 5 m read range covers typical conveyor or portal applications; the system manual documents how to extend it with antenna selection and placement. Transmit power is adjustable from 65 mW to 500 mW, and each external antenna port can deliver up to 1200 mW — meaning you can tune the reader for either dense-reader environments (lower power) or maximum range (higher power). IP65 protection means the aluminum and ABS (GF20) housing withstands dust ingress and low-pressure water jets — suitable for washdown areas in food processing or outdoor loading bays, but not for submerged or high-pressure washdown zones. The operating temperature range of -25 °C to +55 °C covers most indoor and sheltered outdoor installations; below -20 °C a 10-minute warm-up is required before reliable operation. The reader supports multitag reading (EPCglobal Class 1 Gen 2) and achieves a typical read time of 1 ms per byte, which is fast enough for conveyor lines moving at moderate speeds. The M12 8-pin connector handles both power and RS-422 communication (up to 100 m cable length), while the antenna connection allows up to 40 m of cable between reader and antenna — giving flexibility in panel-to-antenna placement. MTBF is listed at 19 years, a reliability figure that supports deployment in continuous-operation lines where downtime for reader replacement is costly. Shock resistance per EN 60068-2-27 (500 m/s²) and vibration per EN 60068-2-6 (200 m/s²) confirm it can survive on moving machinery or near conveyor drives.
Mounting and integration
Mounts via 4 x M6 screws or a VESA 100 pattern with 4 x M4 screws. Dimensions are 252 mm high, 193 mm wide, 52 mm deep — a compact footprint for panel or machine mounting. The 3-color LED gives local status indication without needing a display. The reader is silicon-free, which matters for potting or coating compatibility in sensitive environments.