High-Speed Backplane Bus Transmitter | GE Fanuc IC697BEM731p

Product Overview

The GE Fanuc IC697BEM731P serves as the primary Bus Transmitter module for the Series 90-70 PLC architecture. This essential hardware extends the high-speed CPU backplane bus to supplementary racks, enabling massive I/O scaling across large-scale industrial sites. By facilitating a 30 drop-per-second communication rate, the IC697BEM731P ensures that remote I/O data reaches the CPU with the same synchronicity as local rack modules. We supply this unit as 100% Brand New original hardware, designed to support the rigorous data demands of power utility grids, refinery automation, and complex manufacturing production lines.

Technical Specifications

The IC697BEM731P maintains high-speed data integrity across distributed PLC racks:

• Model Number: IC697BEM731P

• Module Type: Bus Controller / Transmitter

• Communication Rate: 30 Drops per Second

• Bus Architecture: Series 90-70 Synchronous Backplane

• Expansion Range: Up to 50 ft (15 m) between racks

• Power Consumption: 5 VDC backplane; 1.3 Amps (Nominal)

• Status Monitoring: Integrated LED Diagnostic Indicators

• Operating Temperature: 0 °C to +60 °C (32 °F to 140 °F)

• Dimensions: Standard single-slot 90-70 module (102 × 45 × 104 mm)

• Net Weight: 300 g

• Shipping Weight: 1.0 kg

• Certification: UL, CSA, CE Industrial Compliance

Engineering Advantages

The IC697BEM731P optimizes multi-rack PLC configurations by solving critical distance and data-density challenges:

• Seamless Backplane Extension: This module mirrors the CPU’s internal data bus to remote expansion racks. It eliminates the communication lag typically associated with serial I/O links, allowing the CPU to treat remote modules as if they resided in the local rack.

• High-Current Bus Support: Rated at 1.3 Amps on the 5V bus, the IC697BEM731P provides the robust signal drive necessary to maintain voltage levels across long expansion cables. This prevents data corruption caused by signal attenuation in large-scale cabinet lineups.

• Rapid Fault Localization: Dedicated front-panel LEDs provide immediate visual feedback regarding bus health and communication status. This allows maintenance teams to distinguish between a hardware module failure and a cable continuity issue without taking the entire system offline.

• EMI-Resistant Signaling: The transmitter architecture utilizes high-speed differential signaling to resist electromagnetic interference (EMI). This ensures reliable data transmission even when expansion cables run near high-voltage motor starters or variable frequency drives (VFDs).

FAQs

Q: Does the IC697BEM731P require a specific cable for rack connection?A: Yes. To ensure the 30 drop/sec speed and signal integrity, you must use GE Fanuc approved high-speed expansion cables. These cables feature the necessary shielding and impedance matching to support the 50 ft (15 m) maximum distance between the transmitter and the receiver rack.

Q: Can I install multiple IC697BEM731P modules in a single rack?A: Typically, you install one transmitter in the main CPU rack to initiate the expansion chain. If your system requires branched expansion or specific redundant paths, refer to your Series 90-70 system manual for rack-slot addressing constraints.

Q: Is this module compatible with RX3i systems?A: The IC697BEM731P is specifically designed for the Series 90-70 platform. While some I/O modules translate across platforms, bus expansion hardware is series-specific due to backplane architecture differences. Use this module only in Series 90-70 racks.

Q: How does the "30 Drop/Sec" rating affect my scan time?A: This rating represents the module's capability to refresh data across the expansion bus. This high-speed performance ensures that the I/O update time remains a negligible fraction of the total CPU scan, even when managing thousands of distributed points.