GE IC698PSA350D High‑density alternating current input power supply module

Description

In high‑demand plants where a single rack may host a full PACSystems RX7i control strategy—turbine logic, compressor control, or high‑density process I/O—the GE IC698PSA350D is chosen when engineers need a backbone power source that will not flinch under heavy, mixed loads. Typical sites include power generation, petrochemical complexes, and large manufacturing lines where the controller rack houses multiple central processing units, communication cards, and I/O modules, all of which must stay energized through voltage dips, motor starts, and utility disturbances. In such industrial automation applications, the GE IC698PSA350D provides the core low‑voltage power that keeps logic, networks, and diagnostics alive while higher‑power field devices draw from separate supplies. It is commonly used in control systems that run around the clock—boiler management, refinery heater control, paper machine drives, or pipeline SCADA hubs—where any power supply instability in the controller rack could cascade into process upsets or spurious trips. Because it offers substantial total output power and multiple regulated voltages, the GE IC698PSA350D lets integrators pack more intelligence into a single RX7i rack, reducing the number of enclosures and simplifying wiring without sacrificing reliability​

The GE IC698PSA350D is a 350‑watt, high‑density alternating current input power supply module designed specifically for the GE Fanuc PACSystems RX7i platform. It accepts a wide‑range alternating current input (typically 85–264 volt alternating current) and delivers multiple low‑voltage direct current outputs—commonly +5 volt direct current, +12 volt direct current, and −12 volt direct current—to the backplane, supporting logic, communication, and specialty modules in the rack. Within a control architecture, the GE IC698PSA350D occupies the dedicated power‑supply slot of an RX7i rack and acts as the central power source for that rack, coordinating startup sequencing, voltage regulation, and overload protection. Rather than supplying field instruments or solenoids, it focuses on clean, stable power for the controller layer, which is why it is often paired with separate 24 volt direct current supplies and motor‑control centers that handle field power. For engineers and integrators, the GE IC698PSA350D offers enough power margin to grow the system—adding extra Ethernet interfaces, serial gateways, or high‑density I/O—without immediately requiring a second rack or an external logic power redesign.​

One of the key strengths of the GE IC698PSA350D is its ability to deliver substantial, well‑regulated power in a compact form factor. With a total output capacity of approximately 350 watts and typical input power up to around 440–500 watts, it can comfortably support heavily populated RX7i racks containing high‑performance CPUs and multiple communication modules. The multi‑output design—providing +5, +12, and −12 volt direct current rails—ensures that both core logic components and auxiliary electronics receive the voltage they require, without engineers having to add separate internal supplies or DC‑DC converters. Internal regulation and protection circuitry work to maintain stable voltages across the full load range, helping prevent nuisance resets and intermittent communication faults that are often traced back to marginal power conditions.​

From a hardware design perspective, the GE IC698PSA350D is built for industrial control cabinets. It uses a plug‑in mounting scheme into the RX7i rack’s dedicated power slot, so power and sequencing signals are distributed through the backplane rather than through a web of point‑to‑point wiring. The front panel typically provides status indicators so technicians can quickly see whether outputs are within range or if a fault has occurred, which accelerates troubleshooting during startups or after disturbances. Compact dimensions—on the order of 13.0 cm by 4.5 cm by 12.0 cm—and a weight near 1.0 kg make it practical in dense cabinets, while convection cooling supported by proper rack airflow avoids the need for complex dedicated cooling hardware when the enclosure is designed correctly.​

Compatibility is another major advantage. The GE IC698PSA350D is intended for PACSystems RX7i racks and supports the full range of RX7i modules, from high‑end CPUs to various communication and I/O cards. Because the module is platform‑specific, it matches the electrical characteristics and startup expectations of RX7i hardware, which reduces integration risk compared with generic power supplies. In migration projects where Series 90‑70 systems are being upgraded to RX7i while reusing some I/O, the GE IC698PSA350D often becomes the core supply for the new RX7i rack, ensuring the upgraded controller has robust, modern power infrastructure even while legacy field terminations remain​

Long‑term reliability is supported by an operating temperature range of roughly 0 °C to 60 °C, aligning with typical industrial control room and equipment shelter conditions when proper ventilation is in place. With correct derating and airflow, the GE IC698PSA350D is designed to deliver its 350‑watt output continuously without undue thermal stress, which is essential in around‑the‑clock processes. By centralizing multiple voltage rails in one engineered module, sites can reduce the number of disparate supplies that must be monitored and maintained, simplifying preventive maintenance and spare‑parts strategies.

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IC698PSA100 – Lower‑power RX7i power supply used in smaller systems where the full 350‑watt capability of GE IC698PSA350D is not required.​
IC698CPE030 – PACSystems RX7i CPU module that often relies on GE IC698PSA350D when high module counts push rack power demands upward.​
IC698CPE040 – Higher‑performance RX7i CPU that, together with multiple communication cards, benefits from the larger power budget of GE IC698PSA350D.​
IC698CHS017 – RX7i rack that houses the GE IC698PSA350D and associated modules in compact systems.​
IC698ETM001 – Ethernet communication module typically powered from the same RX7i rack supply as GE IC698PSA350D, used for plant‑wide networking.​
IC697PWR724E – Series 90‑70 logic power supply that may coexist in hybrid or migration architectures alongside RX7i racks powered by GE IC698PSA350D.​

Before installing the GE IC698PSA350D, project engineers should verify that the incoming alternating current feed is correctly sized, protected, and compliant with the specified input voltage range and short‑circuit ratings. The module must be mounted in the designated RX7i power‑supply slot, with panel layouts allowing adequate clearance and airflow to keep temperatures within the 0–60 °C operating range. It is good practice to segregate power and control wiring, ensure proper grounding of the rack and cabinet, and confirm that the calculated load of all installed modules does not exceed the 350‑watt output rating, leaving margin for future expansion. During commissioning, technicians typically power up with minimal load, check status indicators, verify backplane voltages, and only then add and energize additional modules and networks.​

Maintenance for the GE IC698PSA350D should focus on keeping the input supply quality within specification, maintaining clean and unobstructed airflow, and periodically checking terminations and protective devices. Visual inspections can reveal discoloration, dust buildup, or loose connections that might precede power disturbances. Many sites track alarms and event logs from RX7i CPUs and communication modules to spot early signs of undervoltage or brownout conditions tied to power supply performance, allowing proactive replacement of the GE IC698PSA350D before a failure impacts production. Keeping at least one tested spare on hand is common practice in critical facilities so that, in the event of a fault, the rack can be restored quickly with minimal downtime.