GE IC697CMM742 TCP/IP Ethernet Interface (Type 2)

Description

In busy control rooms overseeing power plants or semiconductor fabs, where PLCs must share real-time data across the building without latency glitches, the GE IC697CMM742 keeps networks fluid and responsive. Operators track turbine speeds or wafer handlers from a central HMI, while the module shuttles updates to SCADA servers amid constant pings from maintenance laptops. These setups face bandwidth crunches from legacy Ethernet—collisions pile up, diagnostics lag, and one bad transceiver halts production. The GE IC697CMM742 cuts through as a TCP/IP Ethernet Interface for GE Fanuc Series 90-70 PLCs, linking high-stakes logic to enterprise LANs with three versatile ports. In automotive paint shops, it syncs conveyor zones to quality gates, ensuring color matches without overruns. Pharmaceutical batching lines use it too, piping recipe data to historians while blocking unauthorized access. Applicable in control systems demanding robust Ethernet integration, the GE IC697CMM742 handles up to 32 simultaneous connections, doubling older models for multi-client environments. Engineers deploy it in oil rigs coordinating remote pumps, where spotty WiFi won’t do, or in data centers tying PLCs to asset managers. For upgrades, it bridges 90-70 racks to modern TCP/IP tools, slashing cabling costs versus serial gateways. This module powers scalable industrial automation, turning isolated controllers into networked powerhouses that thrive under load.​

Product Role

The GE IC697CMM742 is a single-slot TCP/IP Ethernet Interface (Type 2) module crafted for GE Fanuc Series 90-70 PLC systems. It snaps into any rack slot, hooking the VME backplane to IEEE 802.3 Ethernet LANs via 10BaseT RJ-45, 10Base2 BNC, or AUI ports for flexible media choices. As network master, it supports SRTP messaging, global data exchange, and full PLC programming over the wire, offloading comms from the CPU. Integrators lean on it for hybrid plants mixing discrete control with IT oversight, like feeding MES systems production tallies without custom middleware. The GE IC697CMM742 fits neatly with up to four per rack, each managing independent subnets for zoned security. Preloaded firmware and IC641 software config make swaps painless, while station manager tools via RS-232 port enable on-the-fly tweaks. Its edge? Rock-solid CSMA/CD handling at 10 Mbps ensures deterministic sweeps in noisy zones, vital for time-critical sequences.​

Core Strengths

Multi-port flexibility rules the GE IC697CMM742—toggle between twisted-pair 10BaseT for clean office runs, thin coax 10Base2 for tight panels, or AUI for fiber transceivers in long-haul spans up to 500 meters. At 10 Mbps, it juggles 32 TCP connections with low jitter, perfect for SRTP queries from HMIs or historians without dropping packets.

Rugged build suits factory grind: 0°C to 55°C operation shrugs off chiller failures, with 5-95% humidity tolerance for coastal plants. Drawing 2A at 5VDC and 0.5A at 12VDC from the backplane, it pairs with standard supplies like IC697PWR710—no extras needed. Four LEDs (network OK, serial active, status) plus a restart button pinpoint issues fast, from fuse blows to MAC conflicts.

Diagnostics shine through onboard tools: ping tests, SNMP traps, and logic-based global data cut fault hunts to seconds. Firmware upgrades via serial port keep it patched indefinitely, while replaceable fuses guard against surges. Expect 8-10 year service in ventilated racks, outlasting finicky competitors.​

Specifications

Compatible Modules

IC697CMM741 – Prior Ethernet Type 1 module, halves connections but fits transitional upgrades.

IC697CPU781 – High-end 90-70 CPU for logic-heavy racks sharing the Ethernet backbone.

IC697PWR712 – Power supply with +12V output, mandatory for AUI transceivers on the IC697CMM742.

IC697HSC700 – High-speed counter module, streams data via global Ethernet exchanges.

IC697MDL240 – Discrete input slaved to PLC, monitored remotely over the network.

IC697ALG440 – Analog module for process vars pushed to SCADA through the interface.

IC697ACC800 – Ethernet cable kit optimized for 10BaseT daisy-chains with multiple units.​

Installation & Care

Seat the GE IC697CMM742 in a rack slot post-power-down, aligning extractors and pressing firmly until latches click—avoid hot insertion to prevent backplane glitches. Match PLC firmware to version 6.02+ via IC641, setting IP via rotary switches or BOOTP for static addressing. Crimp RJ-45 with T568B pinout for 10BaseT, or attach BNC T-connectors ensuring <185m coax segments; AUI needs a transceiver with SQE enabled. Ground shields at single-point to dodge loops, and label MAC addresses from the faceplate sticker for inventory.

Check LEDs post-boot: steady STATUS OK and blinking NETWORK confirm link-up. Monthly, toggle the restart button for self-test, logging station manager outputs to spot CRC errors. Clean ports with compressed air biannually, swapping the 1A fuse if +12V drops. Firmware pulls from GE portal yearly—use the RS-485 port with VersaPro to sidestep network risks. In dusty fabs, panel filters preserve contacts for a decade.