What it is and what it does
The Siemens 6GT2821-2AC10 is a SIMATIC RF200 series RF220R RFID reader with an integrated antenna, operating at 13.56 MHz and communicating via an RS422 interface using the 3964R protocol. It reads and writes ISO 15693 and ISO 18000-3 transponders, with a typical access time of 0.6 ms per byte for both read and write operations. The housing is rated IP67, meaning the reader withstands dust ingress and temporary immersion — suitable for washdown environments in food, beverage, or automotive assembly lines. The brass, nickel-plated / PBT construction with silicon-free materials suits clean-room or paint-shop installations where outgassing or contamination is a concern. Power draw is 0.05 A typical at 24 V DC, supplied through the M12 8-pin connector. The supply range is 20.4 to 28.8 V DC, which gives headroom for voltage drop over longer cable runs up to 1000 m on the RS422 interface.
Read range and deployment constraints
Maximum read range is 35 mm, but this is dependent on the specific ISO 15693 transponder type used. The reader is not multitag-capable — it handles one transponder at a time. For applications requiring simultaneous tag reads, a different RF200 variant or a higher-tier RF300/RF600 reader would be needed. The reader is designed to operate from -20 to +70 °C and can be stored or transported from -25 to +80 °C. Shock resistance per EN 60721-3-7 Class 7 M2 at 500 m/s² and vibration resistance at 200 m/s² mean it survives the mechanical stress of conveyor lines, robotic cells, or mobile equipment. Mounting uses the included M30 x 1.5 nuts through a 30 mm diameter hole. The 83 mm height and 71 mm body length fit standard sensor mounting brackets. The 3-color LED on the housing gives local status indication without needing to open the panel.
Lifecycle and sourcing
Sourcing is straightforward through standard Siemens distribution channels. The part is quoted to order against an RFQ; no last-time-buy or surplus-channel constraints apply. For BOM-line commitments, the RS422 interface and 13.56 MHz frequency are the key fit parameters — verify the transponder type and cable length against your existing installation.