What this reader is and where it fits
The Siemens 6GT2821-8AC40 is a SIMATIC RF200 series RFID reader, model RF280R, operating at 13.56 MHz with an integrated antenna. It reads ISO 15693 and ISO 18000-3 transponders, and connects to PCs or control systems via an RS232 interface through an M12 8-pin connector. The 200 mm read range is dependent on the transponder type used — check the Siemens support document for exact pairing. Rated for 24 V DC (20.4 to 28.8 V range) and drawing 0.13 A typical, it's sized for standard industrial control power supplies. The IP67 rating means the housing and integrated antenna survive washdown environments — think food processing, automotive paint shops, or outdoor conveyor lines where dust and water jets are routine.
Mounting and environmental limits
Mounting is via four M5 screws through the 160 x 80 x 41 mm housing. The PA12 material is silicon-free, important for paint shops or electronics assembly where silicone outgassing can cause adhesion failures. Operating temperature range is -25 to +70 °C, with storage and transport tolerance from -40 to +85 °C. Shock resistance meets EN 60721-3-7 Class 7M2 at 500 m/s², and vibration resistance is 200 m/s². That's robust enough for near-machine mounting on conveyors or packaging equipment without needing a soft-mount bracket.
Interface and data performance
Communication is RS232 via the M12 8-pin connector, with a maximum cable length of 30 m. The reader supports ASCII and scan modes, and the 3-color LED gives immediate visual status without needing a screen. Typical read and write access times are 1.2 ms per byte, with a maximum RF transfer rate of 26.5 kbit/s.