GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F Rack Power Supply Module (24 VDC input)

Description

The GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F (commonly referenced as IC697PWR724F, a variant or revision of the standard IC697PWR724) solves the challenge of providing clean, regulated DC power to Series 90-70 PLC racks in environments where only 24 VDC plant power is available or preferred. In many industrial setups—particularly those fed from battery-backed DC buses, solar/inverter systems, or site-wide 24 VDC distribution—engineers face issues like voltage sags during load changes, ripple from rectifiers, or transients that destabilize the PLC backplane. These can trigger nuisance faults, corrupt memory, halt CPU execution, or cause I/O modules to drop out, leading to process interruptions, safety system trips, or extended recovery times.

GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F steps in as a dedicated 24 VDC-input power supply tailored for the Series 90-70 family, delivering stable multi-rail outputs without needing AC conversion or external regulators. It’s especially critical in applications requiring high reliability in industrial automation where AC power is unreliable, noisy, or absent—such as remote sites, offshore platforms, or facilities with DC-centric electrical infrastructure. With built-in overcurrent, overvoltage, and short-circuit protection, plus sufficient hold-up time to bridge brief input dips, GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F keeps the rack energized during transients, ensuring deterministic PLC operation and protecting field I/O signals from power-induced errors. For engineers maintaining or expanding legacy process control systems, this module minimizes power-related downtime risks and supports critical system uptime by matching the exact voltage profile of plant DC supplies.

GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F operates as the rack-mounted power supply for GE’s Series 90-70 PLC architecture, installing directly into the leftmost dedicated slot on a baseplate (e.g., IC697CHSxxx series) via a 48-pin backplane connector. It accepts a nominal 24 VDC input (typically 18–32 VDC range) and converts it to the regulated voltages the backplane needs: primarily +5 VDC for core logic and most modules, along with +12 VDC and –12 VDC for specific analog or specialty modules requiring those rails. The module can fully power a single rack or extend to a second adjacent rack via interconnection cable, provided total load remains within the 90 W output budget.

In the automation stack, GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F forms the foundational power layer, supplying sequenced voltages and logic signals to ensure orderly startup/shutdown of the CPU, memory, and I/O modules. It includes internal filtering to reduce input noise propagation, a Power OK status LED for at-a-glance verification, and protective circuitry that shuts down outputs under fault conditions to prevent damage. While it lacks the advanced diagnostics of modern PAC systems, its straightforward design integrates natively with Series 90-70 CPUs (e.g., IC697CPU7xx), Genius I/O blocks, and communication adapters, maintaining consistent voltage distribution across local or expanded racks. Positioned at the power entry point, GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F prioritizes robustness for DC-fed installations, supporting reliable scan cycles and loop control even when upstream power quality varies.

Here are the key technical highlights in a concise format:

Choosing GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F delivers rock-solid DC power stability that extends the life of Series 90-70 systems in DC-dominant or hybrid environments. Engineered for industrial-grade toughness, it maintains tight regulation across input variations, ensuring CPUs execute logic predictably, memory holds integrity, and I/O responds without glitches—vital for avoiding process upsets or safety excursions. The wide input tolerance often eliminates extra conditioning equipment, simplifying panel design, reducing points of failure, and cutting commissioning effort during upgrades or replacements.

Operationally, GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F enhances availability with its overload shutdown and ride-through capability (typically 10 ms at lower voltages), bridging short input interruptions without full system reset. This reduces unplanned downtime in continuous processes where a PLC reboot can cascade into hours of recovery. Maintenance remains minimal—no moving parts, robust construction resistant to vibration and thermal stress—making it a low-risk choice for legacy assets. For facilities phasing in modern controls while retaining Series 90-70 racks, GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F preserves compatibility and eases migration by matching original power specs precisely.

GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F is widely deployed in industries where 24 VDC power distribution is standard and continuous uptime is paramount. In oil & gas—onshore/offshore platforms, pipeline stations, or compressor controls—it powers racks handling valve sequencing, ESD logic, or telemetry, thriving amid unreliable grid feeds or generator-switched DC buses. Manufacturing and heavy industry use GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F for machine control, conveyor systems, or batch processing where battery-backed 24 VDC ensures operation during power events. Utilities and water treatment facilities rely on it in remote pump/treatment stations, maintaining reliable monitoring and control under fluctuating DC supplies from solar, wind, or backup systems.

In these demanding applications, GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F excels where electrical noise, voltage instability, or extended temperature/vibration are common—delivering dependable backplane power so the PLC can focus on precise, uninterrupted operation.

For related or alternative options within the Series 90-70 family:

IC697PWR724 – Standard/base version (identical core specs; F often denotes revision or factory marking).

IC697PWR711 – AC-input (90–264 VAC) higher-capacity 100 W variant with additional rails.

IC697PWR713 – Another 24 VDC input model, often similar 90 W rating for DC setups.

IC697PWR715 – Redundant power supply configuration for high-availability applications.

IC697PWR710 – Universal AC/DC input (90–264 VAC or 100–150 VDC) for mixed-power environments.

IC697CPU772 – Typical CPU module powered by IC697PWR724F in standard racks.

IC697CHS790 – 9-slot rack baseplate designed for IC697PWR724F in the power position.

IC697BEM731 – Bus expander for multi-rack setups using IC697PWR724F as main rack supply.

Before installing GE Fanuc IC697PWR724F, double-check baseplate compatibility—it must fit Series 90-70 racks with the dedicated power slot. Confirm your DC input meets 18–32 V range (ideally stable 24 V) and size wiring appropriately (e.g., 14–16 AWG) with secure terminations to handle up to ~6.5 A input current. Calculate total rack load from module datasheets to stay under 90 W output—exceeding triggers protection shutdown. Verify grounding: connect rack GND properly to minimize noise. Ensure ambient stays 0 to +60 °C with good airflow; derate if hotter.

Ongoing maintenance is practical and low-intensity: watch the Power OK LED on routine inspections—steady green signals healthy outputs; off or intermittent points to input issues or overload. Check input terminals and backplane connections yearly for tightness, oxidation, or debris, particularly in corrosive or dusty areas. Test input voltage and ripple under load periodically, and simulate brief disconnects if hold-up is safety-critical. Capacitor aging may occur after 15+ years, so monitor for signs of degradation; keep spares stocked given legacy status.