GE IC695ACC650 Mechanical frame assembly for Series 90-70 to RX3i conversion

Description

The GE IC695ACC650 conversion rack is used whenever a plant needs to migrate from legacy GE Series 90-70 hardware to the newer PACSystems RX3i platform without pulling every field wire or rebuilding panels from scratch. Typical environments include process plants, utilities, and manufacturing sites where downtime is expensive and existing cabinets are densely wired and fully documented. Engineers choose the GE IC695ACC650 when they want a controlled, low-risk migration path that preserves field terminations and cabinet layout while upgrading the control platform to current-generation PACSystems hardware. In brownfield projects, it reduces cutover time, simplifies factory acceptance and site acceptance testing, and helps maintenance teams keep familiar wiring references, all while moving to an RX3i-based architecture.​

The frame is used in distributed I/O panels, main PLC racks, and remote drops that currently house Series 90-70 I/O and need to be re-used in a PACSystems RX3i control system. Because the GE IC695ACC650 provides the mechanical foundation for RX3i hardware while respecting the original Series 90-70 mounting footprint, it is applicable in control systems where panel space is limited and engineering teams want to avoid mechanical rework. It supports modernization programs in industries such as oil and gas, water and wastewater, power generation, and discrete manufacturing, where long product life cycles make staged migration essential. Used in industrial automation retrofit strategies, the GE IC695ACC650 helps integrators move to modern CPUs, networks, and diagnostics capabilities with minimal disturbance to field wiring, documentation, and cabinet infrastructure.​

Product introduction and positioning

The GE IC695ACC650 is a mechanical frame conversion rack designed to allow Series 90-70 I/O systems to be mechanically adapted to the PACSystems RX3i platform. Functionally, it acts as the physical backbone for installing RX3i modules in place of legacy components while retaining the existing enclosure, cutouts, and mounting holes used by the Series 90-70 rack. It is part of the PACSystems RX3i family from Emerson (formerly GE Fanuc / GE Intelligent Platforms) and is intended for use where a Series 90-70 controller or I/O rack is being upgraded to RX3i-based control​

Within a control system architecture, the GE IC695ACC650 sits at the field panel level, housing RX3i components that interface to process signals through wiring harnesses and adapter cards aligned with the original Series 90-70 I/O layout. It complements RX3i CPUs, power supplies, communications modules, and I/O, creating a consistent mechanical and electrical path from the legacy installation to the modern system. For engineers and integrators, this conversion rack provides clear project value: lower migration cost, reduced panel fabrication time, and a standardized way to convert multiple similar 90-70 panels across a site. By using GE IC695ACC650 racks as a foundation, teams can roll out stepwise upgrades during planned outages rather than undertaking a complete rip-and-replace.

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Key technical features and functional benefits

One of the primary strengths of the GE IC695ACC650 is its role as a mechanical frame assembly specifically engineered to convert Series 90-70 installations to RX3i with minimal physical disruption. The rack is designed to work with dedicated conversion harnesses and adapter modules so that existing field wiring can remain terminated while the internal hardware is replaced with RX3i components. This approach significantly reduces wiring errors, shortens commissioning time, and lowers the risk associated with large-scale rewiring in active plants.​

From a hardware standpoint, the GE IC695ACC650 provides a robust mechanical structure suitable for industrial cabinet mounting, typically available in 12-slot and 16-slot variants to accommodate different I/O densities. The frame uses the original Series 90-70 mounting pattern, helping ensure compatibility with existing panel layouts and minimizing drilling or fabrication work. Thoughtful mechanical design, such as fold-down doors to access field wiring and clear access to RX3i programming ports, supports efficient installation, commissioning, and long-term service.​

Compatibility and system integration are core benefits. The GE IC695ACC650 is designed to be used with RX3i controllers, power supplies, I/O modules, and dedicated conversion harness assemblies cataloged under IC695CRHxxx part numbers, as well as the IC695ACC651 adapter card where required. This ecosystem ensures that the mechanical frame works as part of a complete migration solution rather than a standalone mechanical product. Because RX3i controllers support modern Ethernet-based networking, advanced diagnostics, and newer firmware, installing them in an GE IC695ACC650 frame effectively brings a legacy panel up to contemporary control standards.​

Long-term reliability is supported by the fact that the conversion products, including GE IC695ACC650, are designed and tested to the same criteria as the Series 90-70 and RX3i controllers, with global approvals such as CE, UL, cUL, and ATEX. This means the mechanical rack and its associated components are suited for industrial environments where vibration, temperature variation, and continuous operation are expected. The frame is built under quality standards such as ISO 9001, contributing to consistent performance over its service life and making it a dependable component in long-term modernization roadmaps.​

Technical specifications for GE IC695ACC650

Related modules and compatible units

IC695ACC651 – Adapter card that interfaces Series 90-70 backplane signals to RX3i hardware when used with the GE IC695ACC650 in conversion projects.​

IC695CRH001–IC695CRH039 – Conversion rack harness assemblies that link existing Series 90-70 field wiring to RX3i modules installed in the GE IC695ACC650 frame.​

IC695PSD140 / IC695PSD140E – RX3i power supply units commonly mounted in RX3i racks, including those built around conversion frames such as GE IC695ACC650​

IC695CPE330 – PACSystems RX3i CPU module frequently used as the main controller when modernizing 90-70 systems using GE IC695ACC650-based racks.​

IC695PBM300 – PROFINET scanner module for RX3i, often installed in upgraded racks using the GE IC695ACC650 to bring legacy panels onto Ethernet-based networks.​

IC695NIU001 – Network interface unit that allows an RX3i rack, including those on a GE IC695ACC650 conversion frame, to function as a networked remote I/O node.​

IC695HSC308 – High-speed counter module for RX3i that can be used in migrated racks where fast counting or position feedback is needed after conversion with GE IC695ACC650.​

Installation notes and maintenance best practices

Before installing the GE IC695ACC650, engineers should verify that the existing Series 90-70 cabinet has sufficient clearance for the selected 12-slot or 16-slot configuration, including room for cable harness routing and door swing for any fold-down access panels. The original 90-70 rack should be carefully documented, including slot assignments, field terminations, and grounding scheme, so that the conversion rack, adapter card, and harness assemblies can be mapped accurately to the RX3i modules. Proper panel grounding and bonding practices must be maintained, and any mounting hardware should be tightened according to panel builder standards to ensure the mechanical frame is secure under vibration.​

During operation, maintenance of a panel built around the GE IC695ACC650 focuses on periodic visual inspections of harness connections, checking for signs of insulation wear, mechanical stress, or connector loosening over time. Technicians should also review RX3i diagnostics via the CPU and network tools, since conversion systems often combine legacy field wiring with modern diagnostics, making it easier to spot intermittent wiring issues that may originate at the conversion interface. Any firmware updates to RX3i CPUs, communication modules, or I/O should be planned around plant outage windows, with particular attention to verifying that the conversion harness mappings remain consistent with the project configuration. Keeping a standardized maintenance record for each GE IC695ACC650 rack in the facility helps ensure consistent practices across multiple migrated panels