The .STA file type is used for archiving projects and can be created only after the project has been generated. When the .STA file is created it compresses the project's database. which makes the overall file size smaller than the .STU file, approximately 50 times smaller.

When opening an .STA file EcoStruxure Control Expert needs to decompress the entire project, but an .STU file does not compress the project's database which allows EcoStruxure Control Expert to open the .STU file faster than the .STA file.

We recommend using the .STA file to archive projects and the .STU file as the actual work file.

For more information, please see EcoStruxure™ Control Expert - Operating Mode.

Released for: Schneider Electric Australia