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GE IC693ALG220C four‑channel analog voltage input module

GE IC693ALG220C is widely used wherever clean, reliable voltage measurements need to be brought into a GE Series 90‑30 control system, especially in environments where analog instrumentation is central to process quality and equipment protection. In water and wastewater plants, engineers use GE IC693ALG220C to bring level, pressure, and flow transmitter signals into the PLC so that pumps, valves, and dosing equipment can be modulated accurately. In small chemical, batch, or blending systems, it is used in industrial automation to monitor pH probes, temperature transmitters with voltage outputs, and various analyzer signals that drive recipe control and safety interlocks.

Description

GE IC693ALG220C is widely used wherever clean, reliable voltage measurements need to be brought into a GE Series 90‑30 control system, especially in environments where analog instrumentation is central to process quality and equipment protection. In water and wastewater plants, engineers use GE IC693ALG220C to bring level, pressure, and flow transmitter signals into the PLC so that pumps, valves, and dosing equipment can be modulated accurately. In small chemical, batch, or blending systems, it is used in industrial automation to monitor pH probes, temperature transmitters with voltage outputs, and various analyzer signals that drive recipe control and safety interlocks. Packaging lines and general factory automation projects apply GE IC693ALG220C to read back analog feedback from drives, positioners, and sensors so machine control logic can adapt to changing loading, speeds, or product formats.

Skid builders and OEMs integrate GE IC693ALG220C in compressor packages, boiler and burner skids, and utility modules where four channels of isolated analog voltage input are enough to capture the critical process variables. Its role is applicable in control systems that must continuously convert field analog voltages into high‑resolution digital values the PLC can process for closed-loop control, alarming, and data logging. Because the module fits directly into the GE 90‑30 ecosystem, it avoids the need for external signal conditioners or standalone data acquisition hardware in many applications. In plants migrating toward smarter operations, GE IC693ALG220C also underpins trending and performance analytics by feeding accurate, stable analog data to SCADA and historian systems connected above the PLC. Engineers choose it when they want a proven, robust input stage that behaves predictably over many years of continuous service rather than a one‑off, bespoke interface.

The GE IC693ALG220C is a four‑channel analog voltage input module for the GE Fanuc / Emerson Series 90‑30 programmable logic controller family. It is designed to convert field analog voltages in the range of approximately −10 to +10 volts direct current into digital values that the PLC CPU can use in its logic. Within the control architecture, GE IC693ALG220C sits in an I/O slot on a 90‑30 baseplate, with its field terminals wired to transmitters, sensors, and external devices while its backplane interface exchanges data with the CPU. The module’s job is to provide deterministic, calibrated conversion so that each process variable appears in the %AI registers as a stable, repeatable number.

Because GE IC693ALG220C is part of the Series 90‑30 platform, it fits neatly into existing racks alongside discrete I/O, communication modules, and specialty modules without special adapters. Engineers see it as the standard analog front end for voltage signals when building or expanding GE 90‑30‑based control systems, whether those systems are stand‑alone machine controls or nodes in a larger plant network. From a positioning standpoint, GE IC693ALG220C is a workhorse I/O card rather than a “smart” controller; its value comes from dependable measurement performance, electrical isolation, and seamless PLC integration rather than complex onboard intelligence. For system integrators and maintenance teams, that straightforward, platform‑aligned behavior simplifies specification, spares management, and troubleshooting across multiple projects and facilities.

A major strength of GE IC693ALG220C is its combination of resolution, accuracy, and conversion speed, making it well‑suited to both steady‑state process variables and moderately dynamic signals. The module provides four independent input channels, each converted with a typical per‑channel conversion time on the order of one millisecond, yielding an overall update rate of around four milliseconds for all channels. With 12‑bit effective resolution and carefully controlled linearity and absolute accuracy across the −10 to +10 volts range, GE IC693ALG220C delivers analog values that are precise enough for demanding PID control and quality monitoring without excessive noise or drift. User data is delivered to the PLC in 16‑bit two’s complement format, which aligns neatly with standard Series 90‑30 handling of analog inputs.

On the hardware side, GE IC693ALG220C is built as a plug‑in I/O card that mounts in any appropriate I/O slot of a 5‑slot or 10‑slot 90‑30 baseplate, drawing its operating power from the backplane. It typically derives its main power from the isolated +24 volt supply provided by the PLC power supply, with additional current taken from the +5 volt bus to drive isolation circuitry. Optical isolation provides a separation of approximately 1500 volts between the field side and logic side, which helps protect the CPU and backplane from electrical disturbances on field wiring. The input circuitry includes high input impedance in voltage mode and a defined input filter response (around 17 hertz) to reduce high‑frequency noise while preserving the dynamics relevant to industrial control.

Compatibility and flexibility are also strong points. GE IC693ALG220C is designed specifically for the Series 90‑30 PLC, so it is fully recognized by standard configuration tools and easily mapped into the %AI memory range without special drivers. The module can be used with a wide array of voltage‑output transmitters, sensors, and devices, and, with an appropriate shunt resistor, it can also accommodate 4–20 milliamp signals by translating current to voltage within specification. This gives engineers the choice of using pure voltage instrumentation or leveraging common current‑loop devices, while still standardizing on GE IC693ALG220C as the analog card. In multi‑vendor plants, the module’s behaviour is predictable enough that it can be integrated into mixed architectures where GE PLCs interface with third‑party drives, analyzers, and subsystems.

For long‑term reliability, GE IC693ALG220C benefits from conservative thermal design and robust isolation, making it suitable for continuous operation in typical control cabinet environments. Manufacturer data highlights low drift over temperature and good linearity, which means that once installed and commissioned, the module can operate for years without frequent recalibration. When proper wiring practices and shielded instrumentation cable are used, the card’s cross‑channel rejection and common‑mode rejection help keep noise‑induced errors below one least significant bit in normal conditions. In practice, this level of reliability often makes GE IC693ALG220C a “fit and forget” module, checked mainly during periodic maintenance or when process instrumentation is changed.

IC693CPU374
IC693ALG220C

Detailed Technical Specifications

Parameter Value
Model GE IC693ALG220C (4‑Channel Analog Voltage Input Module)
Brand GE Fanuc / Emerson, Series 90‑30 family
Product Type Analog voltage input module for programmable logic controller
Number of Input Channels 4 isolated analog voltage inputs
Input Voltage Range Approximately −10 to +10 volts direct current (bipolar)
Conversion Resolution 12‑bit effective resolution (1 least significant bit ≈ 5 millivolts)
Module Update Rate About 4 milliseconds for all four channels (1 millisecond per channel)
Input Filter Response Nominal 17 hertz, to attenuate high‑frequency noise
Isolation Rating Approximately 1500 volts between field side and logic side
Input Impedance (Voltage Mode) Greater than 9 megaohms in voltage mode
Power Supply Requirements Draws about 27 milliamps from +5 volt bus and ~98 milliamps from +24 volt bus
PLC Platform Compatibility Installs in Series 90‑30 baseplates, addressable in %AI registers

Engineers frequently pair GE IC693ALG220C with other Series 90‑30 modules to build a complete control solution.

IC693CPU374 – Main CPU module that executes the logic using analog values supplied by GE IC693ALG220C.
IC693ALG221 – Companion four‑channel analog current input module where current‑loop signals are preferred.
IC693ALG222 – Additional analog input variant that complements GE IC693ALG220C in mixed voltage/current applications.
IC693ALG390 – High‑density analog input module for projects requiring more channels alongside GE IC693ALG220C.
IC693PWR330 – PLC power supply providing the +5 volt and +24 volt backplane power the module uses.
IC693CHS398 – 10‑slot baseplate allowing CPUs, communications, and several analog modules to reside in one rack.
IC693CMM321 – Communications module to link the 90‑30 rack, including GE IC693ALG220C, to external networks and SCADA
IC693MDL940 – Discrete input module commonly installed alongside analog cards in mixed‑signal control panels.

Before installing GE IC693ALG220C, engineers should confirm the baseplate slot allocation, ensuring adequate power budget from the PLC supply for the card and any additional analog modules. Field wiring should use twisted, shielded instrumentation cable routed away from high‑voltage and high‑frequency conductors to minimize noise pickup. Proper termination of shields, adherence to grounding practices, and respect for the module’s isolation boundaries are essential to maintain accuracy and protect the PLC from transients. It is also important to set any required jumpers or external shunt resistors correctly—especially if converting 4–20 milliamp signals to voltage—before energizing the system.

Once in service, GE IC693ALG220C typically requires only light maintenance, mainly as part of broader control system checks. Periodic inspection should verify that terminal screws remain tight, cable shields are intact, and no corrosion or damage is present at the field connections. Calibration checks can be scheduled during plant turnarounds by comparing PLC readings to known reference voltages or loop calibrators and documenting any drift. Firmware updates are not usually a concern on this class of I/O module, but configuration backups of the PLC project ensure that channel scaling, alarms, and logic tied to GE IC693ALG220C can be restored quickly if hardware is replaced.