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The GE IC697CPM790 is typically selected for high-integrity applications where process downtime or a nuisance trip is simply not acceptable, such as turbine control, emergency shutdown systems, and fire and gas protection in oil and gas, petrochemical, and power generation plants. In these environments, engineers look for a CPU that can handle complex logic, redundancy strategies, and extensive diagnostics while remaining stable over long operating periods. The GE IC697CPM790 is used in industrial automation where safety integrity, deterministic response, and tight integration with distributed I/O are mandatory rather than optional. It is applicable in control systems that require triple modular redundancy (TMR) architectures, allowing three independent processing paths and voted I/O to maintain control even if one path fails. This makes it well suited for critical applications such as burner management, compressor protection, and high-availability process control.
Beyond safety systems, the GE IC697CPM790 also appears in large continuous processes that demand high I/O counts and precise sequence control, including steel mills, chemical batch units, and large material handling systems. In these plants, engineers rely on its ability to manage thousands of discrete and analog points while maintaining predictable scan times and robust communication with field devices and supervisory systems. System integrators value how it supports both simplex and TMR configurations, so the same platform can be used across standard and high-integrity units within a facility. As a result, standardization on this CPU can simplify spare parts strategies, training, and long-term lifecycle management across a multi-unit or multi-site operation.
Product overview and role
The GE IC697CPM790 is a single-slot central processing unit module for the GE Fanuc Series 90-70 programmable controller platform, designed as a 64 MHz, 32-bit floating point CPU with integrated memory and redundancy support. It serves as the main controller in systems that use IC66* triple modular redundancy, coordinating application logic, diagnostics, and communication with both local rack I/O and remote Genius bus devices. Within the architecture of a control system, the GE IC697CPM790 occupies a rack CPU slot and interfaces over the backplane to power supplies, communication modules, and I/O, while also linking to engineering workstations and higher-level SCADA or DCS environments through serial or network interfaces.
From a positioning standpoint, the GE IC697CPM790 is aimed at projects that require more than a standard PLC CPU: it combines high-speed boolean execution, floating point capability, and built-in support for TMR schemes. Engineers and integrators benefit from its ability to host both safety-critical shutdown logic and demanding continuous control algorithms in one controller class, reducing the need for multiple disparate platforms. Configuration and programming are performed with MS-DOS or Windows-based tools of the GE Series 90 family, so existing engineering teams can apply familiar workflows, libraries, and standards. By fitting into the established Series 90-70 ecosystem, the GE IC697CPM790 provides a path for extending or modernizing legacy installations while maintaining compatibility with proven I/O modules and communication options.
Key technical features and benefits
The GE IC697CPM790 delivers strong functional performance with a 64 MHz 80486DX2-class processor and a boolean execution time of approximately 0.4 microseconds per function, allowing large safety and control applications to run within tight scan-time limits. Its 32-bit floating point capability enables accurate handling of process calculations, such as flow totalization, temperature compensation, and complex trip logic that depends on multiple analog thresholds. With up to 12K discrete inputs and outputs in simplex mode and extensive analog I/O capacity, the CPU is well suited for large process units with wide field coverage and numerous interlocks. In TMR mode it supports voted discrete and analog I/O, which gives process safety systems a robust way to tolerate single faults while continuing to operate.
Hardware design of the GE IC697CPM790 emphasizes reliability in industrial cabinets. It is a single-slot unit for Series 90-70 racks, with front-panel status LEDs and a keyswitch for memory protection and operating mode control, which are features control engineers rely on during commissioning and troubleshooting. The module integrates a 1 Mbyte battery-backed CMOS RAM board, with up to 512 Kbytes available for user logic and data, meaning both larger applications and detailed diagnostics can be stored locally. On-board flash memory is used for firmware, allowing in-system upgrades without removing the module from the rack, which minimizes downtime during version changes.
Compatibility is a key strength of the GE IC697CPM790. It supports IC660 and IC661 Genius I/O, as well as IC697 discrete and analog I/O modules in simplex configurations, so projects can mix high-availability TMR segments with conventional control areas on the same platform. Communications follow the VME C.1 backplane standard, and the serial port is RS-422/485 compatible, making integration with programming tools and certain serial field devices straightforward. This flexibility lets integrators standardize on a proven Series 90-70 control backbone while tailoring redundancy and I/O strategies to each process unit.
Long-term reliability of the GE IC697CPM790 is supported by features such as a 10-year battery shelf life at 20 °C, nominal six months memory retention without applied power, and defined operating temperature ranges up to 60 °C with appropriate forced-air cooling. When mounted in racks with the recommended fan assemblies, the CPU is designed for continuous service in harsh industrial environments with elevated ambient temperatures and electrical noise. These characteristics help end users meet demanding availability targets for critical systems, reduce unplanned shutdowns, and extend the practical service life of installed control assets.
- IC697CPM790
Detailed technical specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | GE IC697CPM790 |
| Brand | GE Fanuc |
| Product type | Central Processing Unit for Series 90-70 PLC |
| Processor | 64 MHz 80486DX2, 32-bit floating point capability |
| User memory | 1 Mbyte battery-backed CMOS RAM (up to 512 Kbytes for user program) |
| Discrete I/O capacity | Up to 12K discrete inputs and outputs in simplex mode |
| Analog I/O capacity | Up to 8K analog inputs and 8K analog outputs in simplex mode |
| Redundant / voted I/O | Supports TMR with voted discrete and analog I/O |
| Power supply draw | Approx. 3.3 A from 5 V bus |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 60 °C; forced air required above 40 °C |
| Interfaces | Rack backplane (VME C.1), RS-422/485 compatible serial port |
| Cooling requirement | 70 CFM forced air beneath rack slot 1 for higher ambient temperatures |
| Battery shelf life | 10 years at 20 °C; approx. six months memory retention without power |
Related and compatible modules
IC697ACC701 – Lithium battery used with the CPU to maintain memory during power-off periods, essential for preserving application programs.
IC697CHS750 – Series 90-70 rack that provides the backplane and slot structure in which the GE IC697CPM790 is installed.
IC697ACC721 – Rack fan assembly (120 V) recommended to provide the 70 CFM airflow required for proper thermal management of the CPU and other modules.
IC697ACC724 – Rack fan assembly (240 V) used in regions or cabinets where 240 V power is available for cooling hardware.
IC697ACC744 – Rack fan assembly (24 V DC) suitable for control panels that standardize on low-voltage direct current supplies
IC660 series Genius I/O blocks – Remote I/O devices supported by the GE IC697CPM790 in triple modular redundancy configurations for field signal voting.
IC661 series modules – Modular Genius I/O hardware that extends the TMR and distributed I/O capabilities of systems built around the GE IC697CPM790.
Installation notes and maintenance
When planning installation of the GE IC697CPM790, engineers should confirm that the selected Series 90-70 rack offers adequate slot allocation, power budget, and airflow for all modules in the configuration. Cabinet layout should ensure that the recommended fan assembly is mounted to deliver approximately 70 CFM under the rack, especially when ambient temperature may exceed 40 °C. Proper grounding of the rack, shield termination practices for serial and field wiring, and adherence to separation distances between high-voltage and low-level signal cabling help maintain noise immunity and system stability. Clearance at the front of the rack is important for observing LEDs, manipulating the keyswitch, and accessing the battery and memory board during service
Routine maintenance of the GE IC697CPM790 centers on environmental control and periodic inspection. Operators should establish intervals to check fan performance, filter cleanliness, and cabinet temperature to ensure cooling remains within specification over the life of the system. Visual checks of status LEDs and alarm logs can reveal developing issues such as communication errors or abnormal scan times before they affect process availability. Battery replacement should follow manufacturer recommendations, with changes scheduled before the expected shelf or service life is reached to avoid loss of retained memory. When firmware updates are issued, planned outages can be used to apply in-system firmware upgrades, keeping the controller aligned with current features and corrective releases.
