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Phone: +86 16626708626Description
In large-scale manufacturing or process plants where a single Series 90-30 PLC rack can’t accommodate all the I/O modules needed for expanded machines, drives, or sensor arrays, operators add remote expansion baseplates to keep everything under one logical controller umbrella. The GE IC693CHS391 makes this possible as a 10-slot modular CPU expansion baseplate, extending the backplane over distance to house more discrete inputs, analog loops, or specialty cards right where the equipment sits. Engineers in automotive painting lines, bottling facilities, or wastewater lift stations use the GE IC693CHS391 to distribute control logic across floors or buildings, linking back to the main CPU rack via serial bus without sacrificing scan times or data consistency in industrial automation setups. This approach avoids the mess of separate PLCs or custom networks, letting maintenance teams troubleshoot from a unified HMI while scaling capacity as production ramps up.
Real plants often start with a compact main rack and bolt on GE IC693CHS391 baseplates as point counts grow—say, adding high-density I/O for new palletizers or remote analogs for tank farms hundreds of feet away. In control systems, it supports everything from motor controls and valve manifolds to high-speed counters and communications modules, all appearing as seamless extensions of the primary rack’s memory map. Integrators value how the GE IC693CHS391 handles the power and interconnect demands of a full 10-slot population, ensuring stable operation even when loaded with power-hungry option cards near noisy floor-level panels
Product Introduction & Positioning
The GE IC693CHS391 functions as a 10-slot expansion baseplate for GE Fanuc Series 90-30 PLC systems, providing additional rack space for I/O receiver modules, CPUs, power supplies, and option cards in remote or auxiliary locations. Slot 0 is dedicated to a power supply, while slots 1 through 9 accept standard modules, with slot 1 featuring a special connector for CPU or I/O scanner installation if needed for standalone testing. Connected via a serial expansion cable to the main rack’s bus transmitter, the GE IC693CHS391 transparently extends the backplane, mapping all its modules into the host PLC’s reference table for coordinated control.
This positioning targets growing installations where rack space runs short but staying on the proven Series 90-30 platform matters for software compatibility and spares continuity. It fits between a main CPU baseplate and remote drops, enabling architectures with multiple expansions chained together for massive I/O deployments in control systems. For system builders, the GE IC693CHS391 simplifies engineering by reusing the same module families and configuration tools across the entire network, cutting training and documentation overhead.
Key Technical Features & Functional Benefits
The GE IC693CHS391 draws just 420 mA from its own 5 V backplane—supplied by the installed power module—leaving ample headroom for populating all 10 slots with typical I/O and option cards without voltage sag under full load. Its steel chassis measures a standard 17.44 x 5.12 x 5.59 inches, DIN-rail or panel-mountable, with robust card-edge connectors that lock modules securely against vibration common in machine-side cabinets. Built for industrial panels, it tolerates EMI, dust, and moderate temperatures through shielded interconnects and solid grounding paths that maintain signal integrity over expansion cables up to hundreds of meters.
Expansion linkage relies on a serial bus interface with the main rack, supporting deterministic data transfer so remote modules update in sync with the CPU scan—critical for interlocks and sequences spanning multiple baseplates. Up to seven GE IC693CHS391 units can chain from one main rack via compatible bus controllers, scaling to hundreds of modules while preserving addressing and diagnostics visibility. No active electronics mean passive reliability; failures trace to power supply or cabling rather than baseplate faults, easing field swaps.
In practice, the GE IC693CHS391 cuts cabinet counts by consolidating remote I/O nearby, shortening field wiring and boosting MTBF through reduced exposure. Configuration stays simple—DIP switches set node addresses, and the host PLC auto-detects populated slots—letting crews commission expansions during live runs with minimal disruption.
- IC693CHS391
Detailed Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | GE IC693CHS391 |
| Brand | GE Fanuc Series 90-30 |
| Product Type | 10-slot modular CPU expansion baseplate |
| Number of Slots | 10 total (Slot 0: power supply; Slots 1-9: I/O & options) |
| Internal Power Used | 420 mA at 5 V DC |
| Dimensions | 17.44 x 5.12 x 5.59 inches (W x H x D) |
| Weight | Approximately 6-8 lbs (steel construction) |
| Mounting Options | Panel or DIN rail |
| Expansion Connection | Serial bus cable to main rack transmitter |
| Max Baseplates per Rack | Up to 7 expansion units |
| Material | Heavy-duty steel chassis |
| Operating Environment | Standard industrial panel (0-60°C typical) |
| Configuration | DIP switches for node addressing |
Related Modules or Compatible Units
IC693CHS390 – 5-slot companion baseplate, used for smaller remote expansions alongside full GE IC693CHS391 racks.
IC693BEM331 – Genius Bus Controller that links to the GE IC693CHS391 for hybrid I/O networks.
IC693PWR321 – Standard power supply installed in slot 0 of the GE IC693CHS391 for backplane distribution.
IC693CPU331 – CPU module that can mount in slot 1 of the GE IC693CHS391 for local diagnostics or redundancy.
IC693ALG223 – High-density analog input module commonly slotted into GE IC693CHS391 for process expansions.
Installation Notes & Maintenance Best Practices
Panel layout for the GE IC693CHS391 demands verifying expansion cable lengths stay under system limits—often 1200 meters total—and routing them in dedicated trays away from power conductors to dodge noise coupling. Secure DIN rails or standoffs prevent flex under module insertion torque, and orient slot 0 leftmost for power supply access; label interconnect ports clearly since cable polarity matters on some runs. Power up with modules staged gradually, monitoring backplane voltage at test points to confirm even loading before full population.
Ongoing care treats the GE IC693CHS391 as passive infrastructure: vacuum slots yearly to clear metal dust from card edges, and torque all captive screws during annual audits to guard against vibration loosening. Inspect serial bus connectors for bent pins quarterly, especially post-construction dust-up, and log any intermittent module faults back to cabling—99% trace there, not the baseplate. Firmware-free design skips updates, but match DIP settings to host configs religiously; mismatches mimic total failures on GE IC693CHS391 chains.
