GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A Rack Power Supply Module

Description

The GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A (a revision of the standard IC698PSA100, often listed as IC698PSA100A) meets the essential need for reliable, multi-rail backplane power in PACSystems RX7i racks, especially where universal AC/DC input flexibility is required without external converters or derating in typical industrial settings. In VME-based RX7i installations—still prevalent in facilities with significant legacy investments—power instability from line voltage swings, brownouts, or DC bus variations can cause erratic module behavior, CPU halts, I/O dropouts, or corrupted data, leading to process deviations, safety trips, or extended recovery downtime.

GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A becomes critical when your rack must support a mix of CPU, I/O, communication, and specialty modules under fluctuating plant power conditions. It accepts a broad input range (85–264 VAC or 100–150 VDC) and delivers regulated +5 VDC (up to 20 A), +12 VDC (up to 2 A), and –12 VDC (limited) outputs, providing up to 100 W total without forced-air cooling across the full 0 to +60 °C range. With features like overvoltage/overcurrent protection, over-temperature shutdown, and a minimum 5 ms hold-up time, GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A bridges brief input interruptions, maintains stable voltages for logic and analog circuits, and supplies the VME AC_FAIL# signal for orderly module shutdown. For engineers sustaining or expanding RX7i systems in industrial automation, this power supply ensures high reliability and critical system uptime by powering the entire rack consistently, reducing nuisance faults and supporting deterministic operation in noisy or variable power environments.

GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A mounts directly as the dedicated power supply in RX7i VME64 rack baseplates (e.g., IC698CHSxxx series), occupying the leftmost power slot and interfacing via the backplane’s power pins to distribute regulated voltages to all modules. It converts incoming AC (47–63 Hz) or DC to the three output rails needed for CPU logic (+5 VDC primary), analog/specialty modules (+12 VDC and –12 VDC), and backplane signaling.

Positioned at the power entry point, GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A includes internal filtering to suppress conducted noise, front-panel LEDs (FIELD OK for input presence, OUTPUT OK for valid rails, OVER TEMP for thermal warnings), and protective shutdowns that prevent damage during faults. It can power a full rack or support limited expansion depending on load calculations from module datasheets. In the automation stack, it forms the foundational layer, ensuring clean power delivery to the CPU (e.g., IC698CPE0xx series), Ethernet modules (e.g., IC698ETM001), I/O carriers, and redundancy components—critical for synchronized execution, fast scan times, and reliable I/O updates in process control architectures.

Here are the key technical highlights in a concise format:

Selecting GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A provides dependable, versatile power that keeps RX7i racks stable across a wide range of input conditions. Engineered for industrial robustness, it delivers tight regulation and protection features that minimize voltage-induced errors in logic execution or analog signals—translating to more consistent process control, fewer quality excursions, and reduced troubleshooting time.

The universal input eliminates separate AC/DC supplies or transformers in mixed-power facilities, simplifying panel design, cutting wiring complexity, and lowering engineering overhead during installations or retrofits. In continuous operations, the hold-up time and protective shutdowns help sustain critical system uptime by riding through transients without full resets, while LED diagnostics enable quick visual checks during rounds. For long-term RX7i support, GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A matches the original platform specs precisely, extending asset life cost-effectively without forcing premature migrations.

GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A is a go-to power supply in industries relying on RX7i for robust, high-availability control. In power generation—thermal, combined-cycle, or renewable plants—it powers racks for turbine sequencing, boiler controls, or grid synchronization, handling voltage variations from generators or grid fluctuations while ensuring continuous uptime. Oil & gas facilities use GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A in refineries, pipelines, or offshore platforms for process monitoring, ESD logic, or compressor management, where wide input tolerance accommodates unreliable site power or DC buses in harsh conditions. Chemical, petrochemical, and manufacturing sectors deploy it for large-scale batch, continuous, or discrete processes, supporting dense I/O and communication modules under electrical noise or temperature swings.

In these applications, GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A excels where stable multi-rail power is foundational to deterministic performance and fault tolerance.

For related or alternative options within the RX7i family:

IC698PSA100 – Base/standard version (identical core specs; A denotes a hardware revision).

IC698PSA350 – Higher-capacity 350 W version for heavily loaded racks or forced-air cooled setups.

IC698CPE020 – Common CPU module powered by IC698PSA100A in standard configurations.

IC698CHS017 – 17-slot rack baseplate designed for IC698PSA100A in the power position.

IC698CRE020 – Redundant CPU pair; IC698PSA100A supports the increased draw in hot-standby racks.

IC698ETM001 – Ethernet module often used with IC698PSA100A-powered systems.

IC695PSA040 – RX3i equivalent power supply for migration paths from RX7i.

IC698RMX016 – Redundancy Memory Xchange; pairs in setups relying on IC698PSA100A.

Before installing GE Fanuc IC698PSA100A, confirm baseplate compatibility—it must fit RX7i VME64 racks in the dedicated power slot. Verify input matches your supply (AC or DC) and use appropriately sized wiring with secure terminations and proper grounding to the rack GND. Calculate total rack load from all module datasheets (sum +5 V, +12 V, –12 V currents) to stay under 100 W—exceeding limits risks thermal shutdown. Ensure ambient temperature remains 0 to +60 °C with adequate ventilation; no fans are required, but avoid enclosed spaces without airflow.

For ongoing maintenance, monitor front LEDs routinely: FIELD OK confirms input presence, OUTPUT OK verifies regulated rails, and OVER TEMP warns of thermal issues (check ventilation or load). Inspect input terminals and backplane connections annually for corrosion, looseness, or dust, especially in harsh environments. Periodically verify input voltage stability under full load and test hold-up with brief disconnects if critical. Capacitor aging may appear after 10–15 years, so monitor for signs; keep spares on hand given legacy status.