All About the SINAMICS G180 Drive

The SINAMICS G180 drive is a heavy-duty variable frequency drive that controls the speed and torque of electric motors. Oil and gas facilities, as well as chemical and power plants, rely on the drive’s large power range to drive a wide range of applications — even in hazardous zones.

However, Siemens officially canceled the G180 in October 2025 and is phasing the product out over the next decade. Facilities need a plan going forward, whether transitioning to Siemens’ designated successor or continuing operations with existing drives and a reliable repair strategy.

SINAMICS G180 Drive Discontinued

The timeline for the SINAMICS G180 drive is unfolding across several stages over the next few years. Key dates for your facility are:

• October 1, 2024: Siemens formally announced the phase-out and ended active marketing of the G180.
• October 1, 2025: Product cancellation took effect.
• October 1, 2025: Standard ordering ended. New units are no longer available through normal channels, but limited ordering is still available through Siemens customer service as described below.
• October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026: Customer service can fulfill orders for complete compact units and air-cooled cabinet systems.
• October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027: Only compact units will be available and no cabinet system orders will be accepted.
• October 1, 2027: Only repair services and spare parts will be available, and facilities cannot order new units of any configuration.
• October 1, 2035: Complete product discontinuation takes effect, and official support fully ends.

While the SINAMICS G220 is Siemens’ designated successor, many facilities might choose to continue using G180 drives due to the G180’s wider power range. However, whether your facility chooses to replace the G180 or continue with it, the phase-out dates will affect operations.

What the Phase-Out Timeline Means for Your Operation

These dates influence facilities in specific ways:

• October 1, 2025: Facilities that missed this window can only order new compact units and air-cooled cabinet systems through customer service.
• October 1, 2026: Cabinet availability ends, marking the major operational decision point for facilities running cabinet systems.
• October 1, 2027: The timeline shifts fully to repair and spares mode. Because no new units are available, facilities should implement a robust repair and maintenance strategy or a G220 transition plan.
• October 1, 2035: This is the deadline for anyone relying on Siemens support, and facilities should know what they’ll do if a G180 drive breaks down.

SINAMICS G180 Drive Uses and Applications

The G180 is the preferred drive for demanding process environments. Its industrial-grade specs, hazardous-zone reliability and flexible configurations make it well-suited for critical applications. These key industries rely most heavily on this drive.

Oil and Gas

Upstream and downstream oil and gas facilities use the SINAMICS G180 to drive pumps, fans and compressors. The drive can power explosion-protected motors, making it one of the few drives suited for operation in hazardous zones. It also complies with NAMUR guidelines for process automation. The drive’s rugged construction handles salt spray, temperature extremes and vibration loads typical of offshore platforms.

Chemical and Petrochemical

Chemical facilities use the G180 to drive pumps, mixers, compressors, centrifuges and extruders in environments with extreme temperatures and strict safety requirements. The drive can operate in hazardous zones and its integrated du/dt filter protects motor insulation during unavoidable long cable runs. Compliance with NAMUR NE37 can help facilities meet chemical-industry-specific electrical and safety standards. Process control requirements in chemical plants demand precise speed regulation, and the G180 delivers stable motor control even when the supply voltage fluctuates.

Power Generation and Utilities

Power plants rely on the G180 for large-scale pumps — boiler feed, cooling water and condensate — induced and forced draft fans, and blowers. The drive’s power range can handle heavy, continuous-duty loads. Its ability to adapt to fluctuating line supply makes it reliable in utility environments where grid stability varies.

Mining, Cement Manufacturing and Conveyor Systems

Mining, cement manufacturing and conveyor systems also rely on the SINAMICS G180 for high-demand motion control. In these settings, drives often support crushers, mills, kilns, large fans and long conveyor lines where dust, vibration, heavy loads and continuous operation make reliability essential. For facilities using G180 drives in these applications, the phase-out makes it especially important to document installed units, plan for spare parts and establish a repair strategy before failures interrupt production.

Why Facilities Choose to Continue Operations with G180 Drives

The G220 is not currently a like-for-like replacement for the G180 across power ranges. The G180 goes up to 6,700 kW while the G220 tops out at 160 kW. Siemens is planning to add higher power ratings, but provides no firm timeline or specifications for facilities making decisions today. If your facility operates a high-power installation exceeding 160 kW, safeguard your existing G180 drives and know what to do if one breaks down.

What to Do When a G180 Drive Breaks Down

With new units gone and Siemens support winding down, what does your company do when G180 equipment fails? Your facility has two options. You can either repair the drive or replace it with the G220 if your application allows it.

For installations under 160 kW, replacement becomes possible but not necessarily economical. Replacing a SINAMICS G180 drive with a G220 is more than just a hardware expense. Hidden costs include:

• Engineering and design: The G220 is more compact and has a different physical footprint, mounting requirements and cable entry points.
• System reprogramming: If a G180 uses PLC or DCS for communication, technicians will need to configure the G220.
• Staff training: Operators and maintenance technicians need to learn a new interface, fault codes and commissioning procedures.

After a thorough cost analysis that includes both direct hardware costs and integration expenses, determine which option is right for your facility’s operations.

SINAMICS G180 Drive Repair

When repairing a drive, choose a technician who offers the following capabilities. These criteria determine whether your facility experiences a multi-week outage or a swift resolution:

• Component-level repair: This approach repairs failed components directly on the circuit board. It extends the life of older equipment, where complete board replacements are unavailable or expensive.
• Reverse engineering capabilities: Technicians with these skills can analyze and work on a drive even without access to the original manufacturer’s schematics or documentation. This is critical for maintaining legacy equipment, as it supports repairability even after OEM support ends.
• Surplus inventory: Providing complete units, especially for obsolescent equipment, can reduce repair turnaround times when parts are scarce. Immediate access to parts acts as a buffer against supply chain issues.
• Quick turnaround times: Technicians should return a repaired unit fast enough to minimize production downtime. Fast repair reduces costly production interruptions, allowing your operations to resume swiftly.

Request a Quote From Global Electronic Services

The G180 drive offers flexible configurations to handle a wide range of jobs in oil and gas facilities, as well as in chemical and power plants. While Siemens has named the SINAMICS G220 as the G180’s successor, many still rely on this phased-out drive for its high power ratings.

The G180 window for new units has closed, but your facility’s operations don’t have to stop. Global Electronic Services has a large surplus inventory, offers component-level repair with reverse engineering capabilities and fast repair turnarounds. Learn more about our industrial electronics repair process or call 877-249-1701 to speak with our team.