GE IC693350-DH CPU module for Series 90‑30 programmable logic controller

Description

The GE IC693350-DH is typically deployed in legacy and modernized GE Fanuc Series 90‑30 control panels where plants need stable logic execution and dependable communication more than flashy new features. You will see GE IC693350-DH in OEM machinery, plant-wide control upgrades, and brownfield retrofit projects where an existing 90‑30 base remains in service but performance and maintainability must be improved. It is commonly used in industrial automation cabinets that coordinate packaging lines, material handling systems, and general-purpose machine control, where deterministic scan cycles, clean I/O handling, and robust communications are essential.chnscs+1​

In process industries, the GE IC693350-DH is applicable in control systems that supervise pumps, valves, and skids via GE 90‑30 I/O, often sitting between field wiring and higher-level SCADA or DCS layers. Engineers rely on it to manage sequence logic, safety interlocks, and equipment permissives for compressors, boilers, mixers, and batch units that must run 24/7 with minimal unscheduled downtime. Because it supports standard serial connectivity and typical GE communications, the module is frequently tied into plant networks for recipe download, data collection, and remote monitoring, making it useful in both standalone machine controllers and line-level PLC stations.cxplcgk+2​

The form factor of the GE IC693350-DH fits standard 90‑30 racks, which allows integrators to drop it into existing panels without reworking backplanes or cabinet layouts. In large facilities, it is often used as a common CPU choice so that maintenance teams can standardize spares, programming tools, and diagnostic procedures across multiple lines. Typical use cases include conveyor zoning, packaging machines, small process units, and utility systems such as chilled water, air handling, or auxiliary power where reliability, serviceability, and long-term availability matter more than adopting a completely new platform.​

Product introduction and positioning

The GE IC693350-DH is best understood as a mid-range CPU module for the GE Fanuc Series 90‑30 programmable logic controller family, giving machine builders and plant engineers a solid balance between computing capability, memory, and communication options. Functionally, it acts as the main controller in a 90‑30 rack, executing user logic, managing discrete and analog I/O, and handling data exchange with supervisory systems. It is used in industrial automation projects where engineers want to keep an installed 90‑30 base but still achieve responsive application performance and reliable networking.​

Within the architecture of a control system, the GE IC693350-DH sits on the backplane alongside power supplies, digital and analog I/O modules, specialty communications, and motion or high-speed modules, coordinating all of them as the central decision engine. It typically connects upstream to HMIs, SCADA, or MES platforms through serial or Ethernet gateways, while downstream it addresses field I/O through standard 90‑30 modules mapped in the PLC’s memory image. For integrators, this role makes the unit valuable as a drop-in brain for machine cells, process skids, or utility systems that must remain compatible with existing Series 90‑30 hardware.​

The GE IC693350-DH also fits naturally into mixed-architecture plants where 90‑30 controllers coexist with newer PACSystems or third-party PLCs, thanks to support for common industry protocols via companion communication modules. This lets engineers phase modernizations over time instead of replacing everything at once. From a project perspective, its positioning is practical: it is not the highest-end controller in the GE portfolio, but it delivers enough performance and memory for most small-to-medium machines while staying simple to configure, program, and maintain over many years.​

Key technical features and functional benefits

From a performance standpoint, the GE IC693350-DH offers a responsive CPU platform suitable for discrete and light process applications, delivering fast logic execution and predictable scan times that help maintain tight sequencing and interlock integrity. Its memory resources are sized to handle a typical mix of ladder logic, timers, counters, data blocks, and basic process calculations without forcing engineers into constant optimization. This makes it particularly attractive for OEMs that need enough headroom for optional features or machine variants without jumping to a higher, more expensive controller tier.​

On the hardware side, the GE IC693350-DH uses the proven Series 90‑30 modular design, with a board layout and enclosure built for the thermal and vibration conditions common in control cabinets. The module plugs into standard 90‑30 bases, drawing power from a rack supply such as IC693PWR series units, which are designed for stable operation on 120/240 volt alternating current or 125 volt direct current feeds. This compact form factor helps panel designers optimize space in crowded enclosures while keeping wiring and service access straightforward.​

In terms of compatibility, the GE IC693350-DH supports the typical 90‑30 I/O ecosystem, including digital output modules like IC693MDL730 and high-density input modules in the same series. It can work in projects where communication modules provide Ethernet, Modbus, or proprietary GE protocols, allowing the controller to integrate into plant networks and higher-level control architectures. This broad compatibility decreases engineering risk in retrofit work, because most existing I/O, power supplies, and expansion bases can be retained with minimal changes.​

For long-term reliability, the GE IC693350-DH benefits from conservative industrial design, with operating temperature ranges appropriate for typical cabinet environments and protection features inherited from the 90‑30 platform. Backplane power supplies in this ecosystem include current limiting and hold-up time to ride through short disturbances, which helps keep the CPU running through brief sags and reduces nuisance trips. Combined with solid-state construction and wide field experience, these characteristics make the module a reliable choice for plants that value long service life, predictable spare-part strategies, and stable firmware.​

Detailed technical specifications

Related modules or compatible units

IC693CPU350 – Same functional CPU family, widely used as a mid-range controller in Series 90‑30 systems and a natural reference point for GE IC693350-DH projects.​

IC693CPU372 – Higher-capability 90‑30 CPU with integrated dual Ethernet ports for plants that need built-in network communication alongside GE IC693350-DH racks.​

IC693PWR330 – Rack power supply providing 30 watts to Series 90‑30 bases, commonly used to feed the backplane that powers the GE IC693350-DH.​

IC693MDL730 – Digital output module for 12/24 volt direct current loads that pairs with the GE IC693350-DH to drive field actuators and indicators.​

IC693374-GR – High-density discrete input module offering 32 input points, ideal when the GE IC693350-DH must handle many field sensors in limited cabinet space​

IC693CPU350-BC – Related CPU or power variant used in similar Series 90‑30 installations where designers need alternative mounting or power options alongside GE IC693350-DH.​

IC693PWR321 – Another Series 90‑30 power supply type often installed in the same racks as GE IC693350-DH, supporting smaller base configurations.​

Installation notes and maintenance best practices

Before installing the GE IC693350-DH, engineers should confirm that the selected Series 90‑30 baseplate has adequate power budget and that the chosen rack power supply can support all installed modules with margin. Cabinet layout should provide sufficient vertical space for natural airflow and easy access to the CPU, power supply, and I/O modules for troubleshooting and replacement. Grounding practices should follow GE Fanuc guidelines, including a solid reference for the rack and proper segregation of low-level control wiring from high-voltage or high-frequency conductors to minimize noise issues. It is also important to plan serial or network cabling routes and label ports and addresses clearly, as the GE IC693350-DH will typically be part of a broader plant communication scheme.​

Once in operation, the GE IC693350-DH benefits from periodic visual inspection to check for loose connectors, signs of overheating, or contamination such as dust buildup in the cabinet. Maintenance teams should schedule regular backups of the CPU program and configuration, and verify that any communication diagnostics or status LEDs are checked during routine rounds so minor problems are caught early. Where firmware updates are available for the surrounding 90‑30 ecosystem, plants should adopt a controlled update policy to keep behavior consistent while still addressing critical improvements. Keeping a documented spare management plan for at least one ready-to-use GE IC693350-DH module reduces downtime in the event of a hardware failure and supports long-term asset management strategies.