Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 Automation System System Manual page 138

SIMATIC memory card
11.1 SIMATIC memory card - overview
Deleting the contents of the SIMATIC memory card
You have the following options for deleting the contents of the SIMATIC memory card:
● delete files using Windows Explorer
● format with STEP 7
Note
If you format the card with Windows utilities, you will render the SIMATIC memory card
unusable as a storage medium for a CPU.
Deletion of files and folders is permitted, with the exception of the "__LOG__" and
"crdinfo.bin" system files. These are required by the CPU. If you delete these files, then you
will no longer be able to use the SIMATIC memory card with the CPU.
If the "__LOG__" and "crdinfo.bin" system files have been deleted, format the SIMATIC
memory card as described in the following section.
Formatting a SIMATIC memory card
Note
Formatting of a SIMATIC memory card may only be carried out in a CPU. Otherwise the
SIMATIC memory card cannot be used in the S7-1500 CPUs.
If you want to format the SIMATIC memory card using STEP 7, an online connection to the
relevant CPU must exist. The relevant CPU is in the STOP mode.
Proceed as follows to format a SIMATIC memory card:
1. Open the Online and Diagnostics view of the CPU (either from the project context or via
2. In the "Functions" folder, select the "Format memory card" group.
3. Click the "Format" button.
4. Click "Yes" in response to the confirmation prompt.
Result:
● The SIMATIC memory card is formatted for use in S7-1500 CPUs
● The data on the CPU are deleted with the exception of the IP address
Service life of a SIMATIC memory card
The service life of a SIMATIC memory card depends essentially on the following factors:
● The number of delete or write processes
● External influences, e.g., ambient temperature
With an ambient temperature of up to 60 °C, at least 100,000 delete/write processes are
possible on the SIMATIC memory card.
138
"Accessible devices").
S7-1500 Automation System
System Manual, 01/2013, A5E03461182-01