GE IC693351-KT Single-slot CPU module for Series 90-30 programmable logic controller

Description

The GE IC693351-KT is typically chosen for industrial automation projects where engineers are standardizing on the GE Fanuc Series 90-30 platform and need a mid‑range CPU that can comfortably handle real plant logic without overcomplicating the hardware architecture. It is used in manufacturing lines, material handling systems, packaging machinery, and utility support systems where reliability, predictable scan times, and long service life matter more than bleeding‑edge performance. In these environments, control engineers use the GE IC693351-KT to coordinate digital I/O, analog loops, and communication with drives, HMIs, and supervisory systems, making it applicable in control systems that must run around the clock with minimal unscheduled downtime​

This module is well suited to brownfield upgrades where an existing Series 90-30 rack already exists and the objective is to increase program size, add more diagnostics, or support more sophisticated logic while keeping most of the field wiring intact. Its memory capacity and support for thousands of discrete points allow it to supervise multiple machines or a full process cell from a single CPU slot, which is valuable in sectors like food and beverage, building materials, metals, and water treatment. Engineers often deploy the GE IC693351-KT in cabinets where panel real estate is tight, but there is still a requirement to integrate motion, high‑speed counting, and communication modules on the same backplane. Because it is used in industrial automation scenarios that demand repeatable cycle times, structured ladder logic, and robust diagnostics, it fits well into standardized corporate control libraries and OEM templates where long-term maintainability is a priority.​

Product Introduction & Positioning

The GE IC693351-KT is a single-slot CPU module within the GE Fanuc Series 90-30 programmable logic controller family, acting as the central processor that executes the user application and manages the entire I/O subsystem on the rack. It interprets and runs ladder diagrams, function blocks, and related logic constructs, scanning input images, processing Boolean and arithmetic operations, and updating outputs within a deterministic scan cycle. Positioned as a capable mid‑range controller in the Series 90-30 line, the GE IC693351-KT offers more user memory and higher performance than basic CPUs, while retaining mechanical compatibility with the existing 90-30 baseplates and power supplies used in thousands of installed systems worldwide.​

Within a control system architecture, the GE IC693351-KT occupies one slot on the CPU baseplate and links to remote or expansion racks over the Series 90-30 backplane and associated communications, effectively acting as the coordination point for up to several thousand discrete and analog points. It is typically engineered using GE Proficy Machine Edition or similar tools, allowing integrators to configure memory, timers, counters, analog references, and communication settings in a way that matches the process or machine topology. For system integrators and plant engineers, the value of the GE IC693351-KT lies in its balance of memory, processing speed, and communication options, making it a sensible choice when building standardized control panels that must be repeatable across multiple projects, easy to maintain, and backed by a long track record in heavy-duty industrial automation.​

Key Technical Features & Functional Benefits

One of the main strengths of the GE IC693351-KT is its processing performance, built around an 80386EX processor running at 25 MHz, which delivers predictable scan rates even when the application includes a substantial number of timers, counters, and arithmetic instructions. Typical logic scan rates in the Series 90-30 family are around 0.22 milliseconds per 1K of Boolean contacts, which gives engineers enough headroom for medium-to-large programs where interlocks, alarm handling, and recipe logic must be executed reliably with consistent response times. This makes the module suitable for packaging lines, batch skids, and coordinated material handling systems where multiple signals change state within a short cycle and must be evaluated within the same scan.​

Memory architecture is another area where the GE IC693351-KT provides clear benefits. It offers up to 240K bytes of user memory, with configurable allocation for register memory (%R), analog inputs (%AI), and analog outputs (%AQ), which lets the engineer tailor the memory map to the application instead of working around fixed limits. This configurable memory, combined with support for more than 2000 timers and counters, global bits, internal coils, and temporary coils, allows complex sequencing, data buffering, and diagnostic flags to be implemented without hitting resource ceilings too early in the project.​

On the hardware and integration side, the GE IC693351-KT fits in a single Series 90-30 slot and draws 5 V DC power (about 890 mA) from the rack power supply, aligning with typical cabinet designs for this platform. It supports up to eight baseplates per system (one CPU baseplate plus seven expansion or remote bases), giving integrators enough physical I/O capacity to handle multi-panel or distributed architectures while still using a single CPU as the control brain. Operating temperature capability from 0 to 60 degrees Celsius allows it to run reliably in most control rooms and shop-floor cabinets when proper enclosure and ventilation practices are followed.​

Communication capability is a key functional benefit. The GE IC693351-KT includes three serial ports that can be configured for SNP/SNPX slave on the power-supply connector and RTU slave or SNP/SNPX master/slave on the remaining ports, supporting integration with HMIs, operator panels, and third-party serial devices. When paired with optional communication modules (such as PCM or CCM), it can participate in broader networked topologies, including RTU master applications and plant-wide serial or Ethernet networks. Combined with its RAM and Flash memory storage, battery-backed clock, and floating-point math capabilities (available with the appropriate firmware version), the GE IC693351-KT provides a comprehensive feature set for engineers who need robust control, time stamping, and numerical processing in a single PLC module.

Detailed Technical Specifications

Related Modules or Compatible Units

IC693CPU351 – Same CPU family designation, offering equivalent processing performance and memory resources as a single-slot Series 90-30 central controller.​
IC693350-DH – Related Series 90-30 CPU module used as a core controller, often selected for similar industrial automation and control system roles within the same platform.​
IC693374-GR – High-density 24 VDC input module designed to pair with Series 90-30 CPUs for applications requiring many digital sensor or switch inputs in limited cabinet space.​
IC693PWR330 – Series 90-30 power supply delivering 5 V DC backplane power for CPU and I/O modules such as the GE IC693351-KT.​
IC693351-HT – Variant CPU module in the same family, used where different environmental or feature requirements exist within Series 90-30 PLC systems.​
IC693351-GT – Another related CPU module version offering similar industrial PLC control capabilities and system expandability.​

Installation Notes & Maintenance Best Practices

When planning installation of the GE IC693351-KT, engineers should confirm that the chosen Series 90-30 baseplate and power supply can support the CPU’s 5 V DC current draw along with all populated I/O and communication modules. Rack and cabinet layout should provide enough clearance for airflow and cable routing, taking into account the 0 to 60 degrees Celsius operating temperature range and any additional heat sources within the enclosure. Proper grounding of the cabinet, adherence to shield termination practices for serial and analog lines, and separation of high-voltage conductors from low-level control wiring help minimize electrical noise and improve system robustness over time.​

Maintenance plans for the GE IC693351-KT generally include periodic visual inspections of module seating, connector condition, and LED status indicators, coordinated with scheduled plant shutdowns. Technicians should monitor the battery-backed clock status and replace the battery according to recommended intervals to preserve time and retentive data. Backing up the CPU configuration, application program, and communication settings within the engineering software is critical so that a replacement module can be deployed quickly if a hardware issue occurs. Maintaining at least one compatible spare CPU in inventory and documenting baseplate layouts, serial port configurations, and memory allocation also helps reduce recovery time during unplanned events.