How to Obtain, Install, and Update the Complete Device Integration Library for SIMATIC PDM

In SIMATIC PCS 7, the complete device integration catalog for field instrumentation (containing thousands of Electronic Device Descriptions - EDDs for HART, PROFIBUS DP/PA, and Foundation Fieldbus devices) is distributed via the official 'Device Library for SIMATIC PDM'. This library is delivered on a dedicated physical DVD within the purchased SIMATIC PDM product box or available as a comprehensive digital download on Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS). To integrate the library, open the Device Integration Manager (DIM) utility in PDM, select 'File -> Read device descriptions', choose the required device families, and compile the catalog.

The Role of the SIMATIC PDM Device Library

In process automation plants running SIMATIC PCS 7, configuring, calibrating, and diagnosing intelligent field instruments (such as pressure transmitters, magnetic flowmeters, radar level sensors, valve positioners, and temperature transmitters) is performed via SIMATIC PDM (Process Device Manager).

To interact with devices from hundreds of manufacturers (Siemens, Emerson/Rosemount, Endress+Hauser, ABB, Yokogawa, Vega, Foxboro):
* PDM does not rely on generic drivers.
* It requires certified Electronic Device Descriptions (EDDs) that define device-specific menu trees, calibration algorithms, diagnostic parameters, and NAMUR NE107 health status mappings.

Engineers frequently ask where to find the comprehensive library containing all these device descriptors and how to update an existing Engineering Station.

Delivery Channels - Physical Installation DVD vs SIOS Downloads

Siemens maintains and releases the universal PDM device library through two official channels:

1. The Physical Product Box (DVD Media)

When an organization purchases a SIMATIC PDM license (e.g., SIMATIC PDM Basic, SIMATIC PDM Single Point, or SIMATIC PDM PCS 7), the physical delivery package contains two DVDs:
* DVD 1: SIMATIC PDM Application Software and Setup.
* DVD 2: Device Library for SIMATIC PDM (labeled with release year, e.g., Device Library 2-2015 or Device Library 1-2016).

2. Digital Download on SIOS

Siemens regularly publishes updated releases of the entire PDM Device Library on Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) (e.g., Entry ID 109480121):
* Packaged as multi-part ZIP archives (typically 2 to 4 GB in total).
* Openly accessible to registered SIOS users with a valid customer account.
* Incorporates newly released field devices, updated firmware revisions, and bug fixes across all major fieldbus protocols.

Comparison Table - PDM Device Library Distribution Packages

The following table details the key attributes and version alignments of SIMATIC PDM Device Libraries.

Library ReleaseTarget PDM VersionSupported ProtocolsIncluded ManufacturersDownload AvailabilityDevice Library 1-2014PDM V8.0 / V8.1HART, PROFIBUS DP/PASiemens, E+H, Emerson, ABB, 100+ vendorsSIOS ArchiveDevice Library 2-2015PDM V8.1 / V8.2HART, PROFIBUS, FFExpanded Foundation Fieldbus catalogSIOS Entry 109480121Device Library 1-2016PDM V8.2 / V9.0HART, PROFIBUS, FF, PROFINETIncludes modern PROFINET field devicesSIOS DownloadDevice Library CurrentPDM V9.1 / V9.2All industrial protocolsThousands of certified devicesActive SIOS Portal

Step-by-Step Procedure to Install and Update the PDM Catalog

Follow this verified engineering workflow to install or update the complete PDM Device Library on an Engineering Station:

Obtain and Extract the Installation Media:
* Insert the physical PDM Device Library DVD into the ES drive, or download and extract the multi-part ZIP archive from SIOS into a local directory (e.g., D:\PDM_Library\).
* Close SIMATIC Manager and all engineering tools.
Launch Device Integration Manager (DIM):
* Open the Windows Start menu and navigate to:
Siemens SIMATIC -> SIMATIC PDM -> Manage Device Catalog (or run DeviceIntegrationManager.exe).
* The Device Integration Manager window opens.
Read Device Descriptions:
* In the top menu, select File -> Read device descriptions.
* Browse to the root of the extracted library folder or DVD drive.
* Click OK.
* The tool scans the library files and displays the complete hierarchical tree of supported devices categorized by communication protocol, measurement type, and manufacturer.
Select Devices for Catalog Integration:
* To install all devices: Select the root folder checkbox (installs the entire global catalog).
* To install specific devices: Drill down to the required manufacturers (e.g., HART -> Sensors -> Pressure -> Endress+Hauser -> Cerabar M) and check the specific models.
* Click the Copy (or Transfer) button to copy the descriptors into the local PDM catalog.
Save and Compile the Catalog:
* Select File -> Save / Compile catalog.
* The integration manager parses the XML structures, verifies device classes, and compiles the binary catalog database.
* When compilation completes with status 0 Errors, close the Device Integration Manager.
Verify Availability in SIMATIC Manager:
* Open SIMATIC Manager.
* In HW Config or the Process Device Plant View, right-click a fieldbus master system and select Insert Object -> Field Device.
* Confirm that the newly imported field devices appear in the catalog tree.

Verification

Confirm that the updated device library is active and accessible:

Verify PDM Catalog Information:
* In Device Integration Manager, select Help -> About.
* Confirm that the catalog version reflects the updated release string (e.g., Device Library 2-2015).
Open Device in PDM Online:
* Double-click an intelligent transmitter in the plant hierarchy.
* Confirm that SIMATIC PDM opens the device faceplate, successfully reads online parameters, and displays the device diagnostics menu.
Verify Maintenance Station Integration:
* In WinCC Runtime on the Maintenance Station, verify that field instruments display full I&M metadata and NAMUR NE107 diagnostic icons.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Full Catalog Installation Overhead: Installing the entire global PDM catalog (thousands of devices) can require 30 to 60 minutes and consumes several gigabytes of disk space. For rapid maintenance, engineers can choose to import only the specific manufacturer families active on their plant site.
Never Delete the PDM Catalog Directory Manually: Do not attempt to clean up or delete files inside C:\Program Files (x86)\SIEMENS\SIMATIC_PDM\CATALOG\ via Windows Explorer; doing so corrupts the internal catalog registry. Always use Device Integration Manager.
Tag License Enforcement: Device descriptions are free to import, but online communication in PDM is governed by SIMATIC PDM TAG licenses managed via Automation License Manager (ALM).

Engineer FAQ

Can I install the PDM Device Library on an OS Client?

No. The PDM Device Library must be installed on the Engineering Station and any dedicated Maintenance Station Server where SIMATIC PDM is installed.

Do I need to stop the automation controller to update the PDM catalog?

No. PDM catalog compilation is entirely an Engineering Station software task and does not cause any disruption to running AS controllers or WinCC operator stations.

Can I export an individual device description from one PG to another?

Yes. Device Integration Manager includes a 'File -> Export' function that allows packaging selected device descriptions into an archive for transfer to another Engineering Station.

What should I do if a brand-new instrument is not in the latest Siemens library?

You can obtain the individual certified EDD directly from the instrument manufacturer's website and import that single package using Device Integration Manager.