GE IC697CMM741H Ethernet Interface Module

Description

In factories pushing the boundaries of networked control, where PLCs need to talk seamlessly to HMIs, SCADA servers, or remote diagnostics over Ethernet, reliable connectivity modules make or break efficiency. Picture a sprawling semiconductor fab linking Series 90-70 racks to plant-wide Ethernet for real-time recipe downloads, alarm forwarding, and data historians—GE IC697CMM741H handles it all as the go-to Factory LAN interface, plugging into industrial automation backbones amid cleanroom vibrations or dusty automotive trim lines. It solves the pain of isolated PLC islands by bridging 10Base-T Ethernet at TCP/IP and UDP levels, supporting up to 64 simultaneous connections for peer messaging and file transfers without choking rack throughput.

Engineers in control systems for batch processing or assembly testing deploy GE IC697CMM741H when serial links fall short on speed, enabling SNP protocol over Ethernet for workstation access or inter-PLC data floods across campus networks. Maintenance teams count on its front-panel RS-232 port for local tweaks and status LEDs to catch link faults during off-shifts. In upgrades for power distribution switchyards or pharmaceutical fillers, this single-slot module extends legacy GE IC697 racks into modern TCP environments, dodging costly full migrations while handling multicast queries for group polling. Robust against packet loss, GE IC697CMM741H keeps operations synced and responsive, no matter the scale.

Product Introduction & Positioning

The GE IC697CMM741H is an Ethernet Interface Module crafted for GE Fanuc Series 90-70 PLC racks, occupying one standard slot to deliver 10 Mbps Ethernet connectivity via IEEE 802.3 standards. It connects through a 15-pin D-type AUI port for external transceivers or direct coax/thinnet setups, managed entirely via Logicmaster 90-70 software for IP addressing, subnet masks, and gateway routing. Within larger control systems, GE IC697CMM741H acts as the PLC’s network gateway, offloading comms from the CPU to handle TCP sockets, UDP datagrams, and SNP sessions—ideal for integrating with CIMPLICITY or third-party HMIs.

Integrators prize its H-series firmware refinements for better collision handling and expanded buffer memory, drawing 1.25A at 5V without taxing power supplies. It fits simplex or redundant architectures, supporting RAM/ROM disk access over the bus. For teams modernizing brownfield sites, GE IC697CMM741H unlocks Ethernet’s scalability, positioning it as the smart link between rugged PLC logic and enterprise IT.

Key Technical Features & Functional Benefits

Engineers get versatile networking from the GE IC697CMM741H, juggling 64 TCP/UDP ports with 10 Mbps full-duplex potential via AUI—enough for simultaneous SCADA polls, email alerts, and FTP uploads without dropping ladder scans. Diagnostic LEDs flag link status, collisions, and module health, while the hidden RS-232 door simplifies console access for IP tweaks on the fly, cutting setup time in multi-rack panels.

Hardened for industrial automation duty, its VME-compatible board shrugs off EMI in motor control rooms, with generous RAM buffering transient bursts from chatty devices. H-firmware boosts stability over prior releases, handling fragmented packets better in noisy hubs. Seamless Series 90-70 ties include %P memory mapping for Ethernet data and compatibility with CPUs like IC697CPU771, plus workstation drivers for seamless historian feeds.

Over decades, low-power design and flash-upgradable code ensure longevity, with MTBF exceeding 200,000 hours. Teams note how GE IC697CMM741H slashes cabling costs versus proprietary nets, delivering IT-grade features in a plant-tough package.

Detailed Technical Specifications

Related Modules or Compatible Units

IC697CMM742 – Enhanced Ethernet module for Series 90-30 compatibility.
IC697BEM731Z – Genius bus controller for hybrid I/O expansions.
IC697CPU771 – High-memory CPU optimized for GE IC697CMM741H networking.
IC697PWR748 – Rack power supply ensuring steady 5V delivery.
IC697BEM741-BE – FIP controller complementing Ethernet backbones.
IC697CMM711 – Serial coprocessor for mixed-protocol racks.
IC697HSC700 – High-speed counter adding field inputs to netted systems.​

Installation Notes & Maintenance Best Practices

De-energize the rack before seating GE IC697CMM741H, ideally right of the CPU for bus priority—attach AUI transceiver cables (max 50m) with BNC or 10Base-T via baluns, verifying terminator presence on thinnet segments to curb reflections. Set static IP via serial console pre-power-up; test connectivity with ping sweeps and monitor collision LEDs for hub conflicts. In cable-dense cabinets, bundle Ethernet away from power wiring to sidestep crosstalk.

Preserve uptime through annual transceiver checks for bent pins, logging TCP errors via %P references during audits—firmware flashes from EPROM during downtime patch collision algorithms. Swap modules live if redundant, but cycle power for seat changes. Field reports emphasize quarterly cable certs in high-traffic nets, yielding MTTR under 30 minutes.