Brewery Equipment PLC Control System Guide: How to Choose Between S7-1200 and S7-1500

As brewery equipment automation continues to develop, more brewers are looking for smarter, more stable, and more efficient control systems. One of the most common questions we receive is:

Should I choose Siemens S7-1200 or S7-1500 for my brewery equipment?

In this article, we will explain the basics of brewery automation and help you select the most suitable PLC system based on real project conditions.

Understanding the 4 Key Signal Types in Brewery Automation

Before selecting a PLC system, it is important to understand the four basic signal types used in brewery control systems. In general, digital signals represent ON/OFF states, while analog signals represent continuously changing values.

These signals are typically divided into four categories:

Digital Output (DO)

Commands sent from the PLC to equipment.

Typical equipment:

• Indicator lights (run, fault, alarm)
• Pneumatic butterfly valves, solenoid valves
• Sound and light alarms

Analog Input (AI)

Continuous signals, commonly 4–20mA in breweries.

Typical equipment:

• Temperature sensors
• Pressure transmitters
• Flow meters
• Load cells
• pH sensors

Analog Output (AO)

Adjustable output signals from PLC.

Typical equipment:

• Proportional valves
• Motorized control valves
• Variable frequency drives (VFDs)

Example: Signal Configuration for a 5000L Brewery

To better understand PLC selection, below is a typical signal distribution for a 5000L brewery system:

5000L Brewery Signal Overview

 This shows that a 5000L brewery is typically within the capacity range of a Siemens S7-1200 PLC, depending on system complexity and expansion needs.

Siemens S7-1200 vs S7-1500: What’s the Difference?

For modern brewery automation systems, Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 are the most commonly used PLC solutions.

 S7-1200 PLC

• Up to 8 signal modules
• 256 digital points
• 64 analog points

Best for:

• Small to medium breweries
• Standard automation systems
• Cost-sensitive projects

 S7-1500 PLC

• Up to 32 signal modules
• 1024 digital points
• 512 analog points

Best for:

• Large breweries
• High automation level systems
• Future expansion projects

How to Choose the Right PLC for Your Brewery?

The selection should not only depend on PLC performance, but also on real project requirements:

• Brewery capacity and production scale
• Number of tanks and system complexity
• Level of automation required
• Future expansion plans

For most 5000L brewery projects, Siemens S7-1200 is already a reliable and cost-effective solution.
For larger systems or high automation requirements, S7-1500 provides more flexibility and expansion capacity.

Feel free to contact us for the most suitable brewery automation solution for your project.

👤 Cassie
📧 tiantaibrewery@cnbrewery.com