The Siemens SIMATIC RF1140R (6GT2831-6CB00) is a dual-frequency RFID access control reader from the SIMATIC RF1100 series, designed for Ethernet-networked machine and plant access control. It reads both legacy LF 125 kHz transponders (HITAG 1/2/S, EM41xx) and modern HF 13.56 MHz smart cards (ISO 14443 A/B, ISO 15693), supporting environments with mixed badge populations. Power over Ethernet eliminates the need for a separate power supply, simplifying installation in distributed access control architectures.

What Transponder Technologies Does the RF1140R Support?

The RF1140R is a dual-frequency reader supporting LF 125 kHz (HITAG 1, HITAG 2, HITAG S, EM41xx/45xx, EKS key) and HF 13.56 MHz (ISO 14443 A/B including MIFARE, ISO 15693). This dual-band coverage allows facilities to migrate from legacy LF badge systems to modern HF smart card infrastructure without replacing readers — the RF1140R handles both technologies simultaneously. Encrypted transponder data transmission and configurable access keys provide secure authentication.

How Does the RF1140R Connect to an Access Control Network?

The RF1140R communicates via 10/100 Mbps Ethernet and is powered entirely through Power over Ethernet (PoE), requiring only a single RJ45 cable for both data and power. No auxiliary power input or separate power supply is needed. It connects to a host computer or Modbus client over the network and is configured using Siemens SIMATIC RF1100 configuration software. Siemens recommends installation within a protected area, with the PoE port not openly accessible after mounting.

What Are the Installation and Security Considerations?

The RF1140R uses the standard SIMATIC RF1000/RF1100 housing (90 × 62 × 23.5 mm, PC-GF polycarbonate in titanium gray) with four M4 screws for cabinet or wall mounting. The front face is rated IP65 for indoor and sheltered outdoor environments, while the rear is IP20. Operating temperature range is −25 °C to +55 °C. A 3-color LED provides visual status indication. For security, the reader supports encrypted data transmission with configurable keys for user-specific access control.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the RF1140R different from the RF1040R?

The RF1140R (6GT2831-6CB00) uses Ethernet with Power over Ethernet for connectivity, making it suitable for networked, distributed access control topologies where running a single Ethernet cable is simpler than separate power and data wiring. The RF1040R (6GT2831-6CA60) uses USB and RS232 interfaces, making it more suitable for direct PC-connected or serial-panel installations. Both support dual-frequency LF and HF reading.

Does the RF1140R need an external power supply?

No. The RF1140R is powered entirely through PoE (Power over Ethernet) via its Ethernet connection. A PoE-capable switch or PoE injector is required on the network side.

Can the RF1140R read multiple badges simultaneously?

The RF1140R reads one transponder at a time during an access transaction, authenticating the presented credential against configured keys before granting or denying access.