GE IC693PCM301 Programmable Coprocessor Module (PCM) for Series 90-30 PLC

Description

In plants where PLCs need to talk directly to barcode scanners, weigh scales, or serial printers without bogging down the main CPU, the GE IC693PCM301 takes over those tasks seamlessly. Warehouses scanning thousands of packages hourly rely on it to poll readers and log data independently, keeping conveyor sorts humming even during peak shifts. In pharmaceutical batching lines, it interfaces with precision scales and labelers, ensuring accurate material tracking amid strict compliance rules, while freeing the Series 90-30 PLC for core sequencing. Automotive assembly floors use GE IC693PCM301 to manage ASCII devices and RTU masters, coordinating tool changers and quality check stations without scan-time delays that could halt robot arms.

Food packagers facing variable recipes turn to this module for custom MegaBasic scripts that adapt on the fly, pulling weights from industrial scales or printing batch codes via serial links. Retrofit projects in legacy utilities swap out custom PCs for GE IC693PCM301, embedding coprocessing right in the rack to handle Modbus RTU polling of remote meters or GE Fanuc CCM networks without extra hardware. Engineers in test stands or lab automation value its ability to run standalone C programs or BASIC routines, capturing transient data from instruments during high-speed trials. Across material handling towers, filling stations, and discrete assembly cells, GE IC693PCM301 extends industrial automation by offloading serial I/O and logic chores, boosting throughput where every millisecond counts.

Product Introduction & Positioning

The GE IC693PCM301 is a programmable coprocessor module crafted for GE Fanuc Series 90-30 PLC systems, acting as an onboard microcomputer to handle specialized tasks beyond standard PLC functions. It plugs into any available slot on the main CPU baseplate—except slot 1—and shares the backplane for data exchange with the host CPU, enabling hybrid control setups. With support for languages like MegaBasic, C, Modbus RTU, and GE Fanuc CCM protocols, it positions as a flexible extension for serial-heavy applications in the Series 90-30 architecture.

In system design, GE IC693PCM301 sits parallel to I/O modules and the CPU, running independent applications that access PLC memory or drive peripherals via dual serial ports. This coprocessing relieves CPU scan burdens in dense networks, ideal for integrators building scalable racks from single-machine panels to multi-drop remote setups. Its dual modes—RUN for production and PROGRAM for edits—allow field tweaks without full system halts.

What draws system architects to GE IC693PCM301 is the blend of embedded power and PLC-native integration, turning a standard Series 90-30 into a multitasking powerhouse for custom protocols or data logging. Compatible with modular CPUs like the 363 or 374, it supports everything from simple printer drivers to complex RTU masters, making it a staple for engineers modernizing mixed-device environments.

Key Technical Features & Functional Benefits

The GE IC693PCM301 packs 192 KB total memory, including 47 KB dedicated to user MegaBasic programs, giving programmers ample space for scripts that manage serial dialogues or custom algorithms without external PCs. Dual ports via a single front connector—split with IC693CBL305 wye cables—handle concurrent CCM or Modbus traffic, with configurable LEDs signaling port activity for quick visual diagnostics during commissioning. This setup excels in multitasking, where one port polls scales while the other drives printers, all isolated from PLC logic to prevent interference.

Power-wise, GE IC693PCM301 draws a modest 425 mA at 5 VDC from the backplane, fitting neatly into power budgets alongside high-channel I/O cards. A front-mounted lithium battery backs RAM during outages, with easy replacement via IC693ACC301 packs, ensuring program retention in volatile plants. The restart pushbutton toggles modes instantly, and compatibility with IC690CBL701/702/705 cables links it to laptops for direct programming, streamlining development in tight panels.

Reliability shines through robust serial handling for noisy factory floors, plus EPROM options for non-volatile code storage. GE IC693PCM301 operates from 0 to 60°C, with three status LEDs—one flashing for module health—flagging issues early. Its solid-state design avoids mechanical failure points, delivering years of stable coprocessing in vibration-prone racks, while shared backplane access enables real-time PLC coordination for synchronized automation.

Detailed Technical Specifications

Related Modules or Compatible Units

IC693PCM300 – Earlier PCM variant with similar memory but single-port focus, used for basic serial tasks before upgrading to GE IC693PCM301.
IC693CPU363 – Series 90-30 CPU that hosts GE IC693PCM301 for enhanced multitasking in mid-sized systems.
IC693MDL660 – High-density input module paired with GE IC693PCM301 for sensor data feeding coprocessor apps.
IC693ALG392 – Analog output module complementing GE IC693PCM301 in process loops with serial oversight.
IC693PWR321 – Power supply ensuring stable backplane voltage for GE IC693PCM301 and rack mates.
IC693CBL305 – Wye cable essential for splitting dual ports on GE IC693PCM301 to field devices.
IC693ACC301 – Battery pack for maintaining GE IC693PCM301 RAM during storage or outages.

Installation Notes & Maintenance Best Practices

Slot GE IC693PCM301 into a free position on the Series 90-30 CPU baseplate after powering down, confirming the lithium battery is connected to safeguard RAM contents from the start. Route serial cables through shielded conduits, keeping runs under 15 meters for RS-232 integrity, and label ports clearly since wye splits demand precise device mapping. Verify backplane seating with a firm push, then cycle power while watching LEDs: steady flash confirms OK status, with port lights responding to test traffic.

Keep GE IC693PCM301 humming by checking battery voltage yearly—replace if below 2.8 V—and logging serial error counts via diagnostics to preempt comm drops. Dust terminals during annual shutdowns, and recompile MegaBasic code after CPU firmware bumps to sync tasking. Monitor for mode-lock issues with the restart button, and archive EPROM images for quick restores in high-uptime cells.