GE IC693CHS398 Series 90-30 5-Slot Expansion Baseplate

Description

3. Key Technical Specifications

The IC693CHS398 is a five-slot expansion baseplate for the GE Series 90-30 PLC platform. It allows additional I/O and supported option modules to be added to an existing CPU baseplate through the Series 90-30 expansion bus. An expansion baseplate cannot operate independently and must always be connected to a CPU baseplate.

4. Product Introduction

The GE IC693CHS398 is a 5-slot expansion baseplate designed for Series 90-30 PLC systems requiring additional I/O capacity beyond the primary CPU rack. It provides a dedicated power supply position, five module slots, and a 25-pin expansion connector for interconnecting multiple baseplates.

In field installations, this baseplate is commonly used in manufacturing, water treatment, power generation, and material handling systems where distributed I/O must remain within the Series 90-30 architecture. Its straightforward rack addressing and compatibility with most standard I/O modules make it a practical choice when maintaining legacy GE automation systems.

5. Installation & Configuration Guide

Stage 1 – Pre-Installation Preparation (10 Minutes)

⚠️ Safety First

1. Notify production personnel of the scheduled shutdown.
2. Perform Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO).
3. Remove PLC power.
4. Wait at least 5 minutes before handling the rack.

Tools Required

• ESD wrist strap
• Phillips screwdriver
• Digital multimeter
• Wire labels
• Smartphone for wiring photos

Data Backup

• Save the PLC project.
• Record the existing rack number.
• Photograph all expansion cable connections.
• Label every installed I/O module.

Stage 2 – Removing the Existing Baseplate (10 Minutes)

1. Remove field wiring from installed modules.
2. Disconnect the expansion cable.
3. Remove all installed I/O modules if necessary.
4. Unscrew the mounting hardware.
5. Remove the baseplate from the panel.
6. Inspect the expansion connector and backplane for bent pins or contamination.

⚠️ Keep the original rack until the replacement has been fully commissioned.

Stage 3 – Installing the New Baseplate (15 Minutes)

1. Wear an ESD wrist strap.
2. Verify the replacement is IC693CHS398.
3. Mount the baseplate securely.
4. Set the Rack Number DIP switches to match the original installation.
5. Install the power supply and I/O modules into their original positions.
6. Connect the 25-pin expansion cable and verify secure locking.

Self-Checklist

• ✅ Correct rack number selected
• ✅ Expansion cable secured
• ✅ Modules installed correctly
• ✅ Power supply installed
• ✅ Ground connection verified

Stage 4 – Power-On & Testing (10 Minutes)

Before Applying Power

• Verify the 5 VDC backplane supply.
• Confirm the expansion cable is fully seated.
• Check chassis grounding.

Commissioning

1. Apply power to the CPU rack.
2. Verify CPU startup completes normally.
3. Confirm the expansion rack is recognized.
4. Verify every installed I/O module appears online.
5. Test representative input and output channels.
6. Return the machine to production.

⚠️ Troubleshooting

• Expansion rack not detected: Check rack number DIP switch settings.
• I/O fault LEDs: Verify module seating and backplane connectors.
• Communication errors: Inspect the 25-pin expansion cable and ensure total cable length does not exceed 50 ft (15 m).
• Unsupported module errors: Intelligent modules such as PCM, ADC, BEM330, and CMM311 must be installed in the CPU baseplate rather than an expansion baseplate.

IC693CHS398

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Can the IC693CHS398 operate by itself?

No. It is strictly an expansion baseplate and must be connected to a Series 90-30 CPU baseplate. It does not contain a CPU or execute PLC logic.

Q2. How many expansion baseplates can one PLC support?

That depends on the installed CPU:

• CPU331, CPU340, CPU341: Up to 4 expansion baseplates
• CPU350 and higher: Up to 7 expansion baseplates

Always verify the CPU model before planning a system expansion.

Q3. Can every Series 90-30 module be installed in this baseplate?

No. Standard I/O modules are supported, but certain intelligent modules—including PCM, ADC, BEM330, and CMM311—must be installed in the CPU baseplate rather than an expansion baseplate. This is a common oversight during retrofit projects.

Q4. Is the IC693CHS398 still manufactured?

No. It is a discontinued Series 90-30 product. Current availability is generally limited to New Surplus or professionally refurbished inventory.

Q5. What is the most common installation mistake?

The most frequent issue is incorrect Rack Number DIP switch configuration. Two racks configured with the same address prevent the CPU from recognizing the expansion rack. Before removing the original unit, photograph the DIP switch settings. This simple step avoids many startup problems.

Q6. Does replacing the baseplate affect the PLC program?

No. The PLC application remains stored in the CPU. Replacing the expansion baseplate does not erase the program, provided the modules are returned to their correct slots and rack addressing remains unchanged.

Q7. What quality inspections should be completed before shipment?

A reliable inspection process should include:

• OEM part number and serial number verification
• Visual inspection for corrosion, cracked connectors, or repair marks
• Backplane connector inspection
• Rack addressing switch verification
• Functional testing with a genuine Series 90-30 CPU rack
• Expansion bus communication test
• ESD-safe packaging with anti-static protection
• Final QC documentation

For legacy Series 90-30 hardware, requesting a power-on verification report and expansion bus communication test results before shipment is recommended to reduce commissioning risk.