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Phone: +86 16626708626Description
Product Model: GE IC697BEM742
Product Brand: GE Fanuc (General Electric)
Product Series: Series 90-70
Product Features:
High-speed rack-to-rack communication for distributed PLC systems
Designed for reliable backplane expansion in large control architectures
Fully compatible with Series 90-70 CPUs and I/O racks
Industrial-grade construction for continuous duty environments
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Model | GE IC697BEM742 |
| Manufacturer | GE Fanuc (General Electric) |
| Series | Series 90-70 |
| Module Type | Bus Expansion Module |
| Function | Rack-to-rack backplane extension |
| Mounting | Standard Series 90-70 PLC rack |
| Communication Medium | GE expansion bus cable |
| Supported Racks | Series 90-70 main and expansion racks |
| Operating Voltage | Supplied by PLC backplane |
| Operating Temperature | Industrial rated |
| Diagnostics | Bus and rack status via CPU |
| Typical Application | Distributed I/O expansion |
- IC697BEM742
Product Role & System Fit
At its core, the GE IC697BEM742 is a Bus Expansion Module for the GE Fanuc Series 90-70 PLC platform. It sits in a PLC rack and acts as a bridge between that rack’s backplane and another rack connected via the expansion cable. One module is installed in the master rack, and another is installed in the expansion rack, creating a high-speed data path that ties both racks into a single logical system.
What makes this architecture elegant is its transparency. The Series 90-70 CPU does not need to know that I/O is physically located in another cabinet. From a programming and diagnostics perspective, everything behaves as though all modules were plugged into one extended chassis. This reduces configuration errors and makes system expansion far easier than using standalone remote I/O networks.
The GE IC697BEM742 is engineered specifically for compatibility with Series 90-70 CPUs, power supplies, and I/O modules. It supports the same addressing scheme and backplane timing as the native rack, which means no special drivers or firmware patches are required. In large control rooms, this consistency simplifies spare parts management and minimizes engineering time during upgrades.
Another important aspect of its system fit is scalability. Plants that start with one rack can add additional racks over time without redesigning the entire control architecture. Engineers simply add another GE IC697BEM742 pair, run the expansion cable, and extend the I/O map. For facilities that grow organically or undergo frequent process changes, this flexibility has significant long-term value.
The module also integrates cleanly with GE Fanuc’s diagnostic tools. Faults on the expansion bus, rack communication errors, or power-related issues can be monitored from the CPU, allowing maintenance teams to respond quickly before small issues turn into production-stopping failures.
