GE IC698PSA350 High-Capacity Power Supply Module

Description

Many products have not yet been launched, please contact us for more product information.

We have 16 shared warehouses worldwide, so please understand that sometimes it may take several hours to accurately respond to you. Of course, we will reply to your question as soon as possible.

The GE IC698PSA350 tackles a fundamental requirement in large-scale industrial automation and process control setups: delivering stable, high-capacity backplane power to densely populated racks without compromising reliability or forcing frequent derating. In PACSystems RX7i systems—often found in heavy process industries, turbine controls, or complex manufacturing lines—racks can host multiple high-power CPUs, extensive I/O modules, communication cards, and specialty processors that collectively demand substantial current draw, especially on the +5 V rail for logic and +12/-12 V for analog or specialized functions. Lower-capacity supplies risk overload trips, voltage instability under peak loads, or thermal shutdowns, leading to system faults, lost production, or safety interlocks activating unnecessarily. External power conditioning or oversized racks add cost and complexity.

GE IC698PSA350 provides a robust 350 W total output solution with wide input tolerance, making it essential for fully loaded RX7i racks where high reliability and continuous operation are non-negotiable. It supports demanding applications with multiple expansion modules, redundant configurations, or high-throughput processing, ensuring clean power delivery even during inrush or transient loads. By incorporating overvoltage, overcurrent, and overtemperature protections alongside forced-air compatibility, GE IC698PSA350 minimizes nuisance trips and extends component life in environments prone to electrical noise, heat buildup, or variable utility conditions—helping engineers achieve system stability without constant power-related interventions.

GE IC698PSA350 functions as the primary power supply module for GE’s (now Emerson) PACSystems RX7i controller platform, mounting in the dedicated leftmost slot (Slot 0) of the RX7i rack to supply regulated voltages to the VME64 backplane. It accepts a broad universal input—AC (85–264 VAC at 47–63 Hz) or DC (100–150 VDC)—and converts it to multiple output rails: primarily +5 VDC (up to ~60 A capability in full spec), +12 VDC, and -12 VDC, with total combined output capped at 350 W. This powers the CPU, I/O modules, and any backplane-resident devices directly, eliminating the need for distributed supplies in most centralized setups.

The module includes built-in diagnostics and status indicators (e.g., LEDs for power OK, faults), with fault signals reported to the CPU for alarming or logic handling. For full 350 W output across 0–60°C, it requires forced-air cooling via a fan tray mounted below the rack (typically providing ~70 CFM). Without forced air, output derates (e.g., to around 100 W in natural convection). Positioned at the power entry point of the automation stack, GE IC698PSA350 ensures low-ripple, regulated supply critical for high-speed processors and sensitive analog I/O, while its wide input range handles utility fluctuations or battery-backed DC sources in critical applications. It integrates natively with RX7i redundancy options (dual supplies possible in some rack configs) and supports hot-swap in live systems when procedures are followed, making it a dependable backbone for scalable, high-availability control architectures.

Technical Highlights Summary

Real-World Benefits

Choosing GE IC698PSA350 delivers dependable power integrity that directly supports higher system uptime and performance consistency. Its high 350 W capacity handles fully populated racks with demanding modules—such as fast CPUs, multiple analog I/O groups, or communication coprocessors—without voltage sags that could corrupt data or trip protective logic. Wide input tolerance and robust protections reduce sensitivity to plant power quality issues, minimizing nuisance faults and allowing tighter control strategies in variable environments.

Maintenance efficiency improves through clear status LEDs and CPU-reported diagnostics, enabling quick verification of power health without specialized tools. The forced-air requirement, when implemented, keeps the module and rack cooler under load, extending MTBF and reducing thermal stress on adjacent components. Over the long term, GE IC698PSA350 aligns with RX7i lifecycle support, offering backward compatibility for upgrades while engineered for high reliability in mission-critical setups—lowering total ownership costs by avoiding frequent replacements or external power fixes.

Typical Use Cases

GE IC698PSA350 is commonly deployed in heavy industries requiring robust, centralized control with extensive I/O and processing. In oil & gas, petrochemical, or power generation facilities, it’s used to power RX7i racks controlling turbines, compressors, or boiler management systems—where continuous uptime and stable power prevent costly shutdowns amid high electrical noise or heat. Large-scale manufacturing, such as metals processing, automotive assembly, or pulp & paper mills, relies on it for machine coordination racks with dense discrete/analog I/O, ensuring reliable operation in harsh conditions with vibration and temperature swings.

In utilities for substation automation or water/wastewater SCADA, GE IC698PSA350 supports racks handling protective relaying, sequencing, and historian interfaces, maintaining critical system uptime during grid transients. Its high-capacity design excels in applications demanding fast scan times and high module counts, delivering clean power for precise control and data integrity.

Compatible or Alternative Products

• IC698PSA100 – Lower-capacity 100 W version for lightly loaded RX7i racks without forced air.
• IC698CRE020 – Redundancy-capable RX7i CPU often paired with IC698PSA350 in high-availability setups.
• IC698CPE030 – High-performance RX7i CPU that benefits from the full 350 W supply in dense configurations.
• IC697PWR724 – Older Series 90-70 power supply (predecessor family; migration reference).
• IC698CHS117 – RX7i 17-slot rack that hosts IC698PSA350 with fan tray provisions.
• IC698ACC701 – External fan tray assembly required for full 350 W output.
• IC695PSA040 – RX3i equivalent power supply for migration paths from RX7i.
• IC698PSD300 – 300 W variant or related model in some listings (check exact specs).

Setup Notes & Maintenance Insights

Before installing GE IC698PSA350, verify rack compatibility (RX7i only, Slot 0 dedicated) and ensure a fan tray (e.g., IC698ACC701) is mounted below for full 350 W operation—natural convection limits output significantly. Confirm input wiring matches selected AC/DC mode, with proper grounding and upstream fusing/breaker sizing per input range. During commissioning, power up without modules first to check OK LEDs and voltage rails, then add loads incrementally while monitoring for stability.

Ongoing maintenance involves periodic visual checks of LEDs (power OK, fault) and cleaning fan tray filters/vents to maintain airflow—critical in dusty environments. Inspect input terminals quarterly for secure connections and signs of arcing. Use CPU diagnostics to log any power-related faults; test under load annually by verifying output voltages with a multimeter at backplane test points if accessible. Avoid hot-swapping without following GE procedures to prevent backplane stress. Firmware-independent by design, but coordinate any rack-wide updates carefully.