Description
Product Description
GE IC694CHS392 is a 10‑slot serial expansion backplane designed for GE PACSystems RX3i PLCs, enabling scalable I/O expansion via high‑speed serial communication with the CPU backplane. GE IC694CHS392 supports 10 I/O slots for discrete, analog, and specialty modules, with the leftmost slot dedicated to serial power supplies (IC694PWR331/330/321) for stable backplane power. GE IC694CHS392 uses a serial expansion cable to connect to the CPU backplane, with a maximum extension distance of 50 feet (15 meters) for flexible cabinet layout. GE IC694CHS392 features a DIP switch for rack number configuration (0–7) and a bus connector for cascading additional expansion backplanes, simplifying multi‑rack system setup. GE IC694CHS392 operates on 5 VDC at 150 mA internal power, ensuring compatibility with RX3i I/O modules and avoiding overloading the CPU backplane. GE IC694CHS392 is a genuine GE component, offering native integration with RX3i controllers and supporting real‑time data exchange for industrial automation and process control applications.
Technical Parameters
- Product Type: 10‑Slot Serial Expansion Backplane (PACSystems RX3i)
- Manufacturer: GE (General Electric) Fanuc
- Model Number: GE IC694CHS392
- Slots: 10 I/O slots; leftmost slot for serial power supply (IC694PWR331/330/321)
- Communication: High‑Speed Serial Backplane Protocol
- Max Expansion Distance: 50 feet (15 meters) via serial expansion cable
- Internal Power Consumption: 150 mA @ 5 VDC
- Rack Numbering: DIP switch (0–7)
- Dimensions: 5.12 × 17.44 × 5.59 in (13.0 × 44.3 × 14.2 cm) (H×W×D)
- Weight: 4 kg (8.8 lb) approx.
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F)
- Certifications: UL, cUL, RoHS, ATEX Zone 2, UL HazLoc C1D2
- Hot‑Swap Support: Not supported; modules must be installed with power off
Advantages and Features
- Scalable I/O Expansion: GE IC694CHS392 adds 10 slots for RX3i I/O modules, increasing system I/O capacity without replacing the CPU backplane.
- Flexible Rack Configuration: DIP switch for rack numbering and cascading support simplify multi‑rack system design and installation.
- Long‑Distance Expansion: 50‑foot (15‑meter) max distance allows remote I/O placement and flexible cabinet layout.
- Stable Power Management: Dedicated power supply slot ensures consistent backplane power and protects the CPU backplane from overload.
- Native Compatibility: Genuine GE design guarantees seamless integration with RX3i controllers and I/O modules, reducing compatibility risks.
- Simplified Setup: Pre‑configured for serial backplane communication, minimizing programming and commissioning time.
Application Fields and Cases
GE IC694CHS392 is widely used in manufacturing, process control, and industrial automation for I/O expansion in RX3i systems:
- Automotive Manufacturing: Expands I/O for robot cells, assembly lines, and quality inspection systems, connecting hundreds of sensors and actuators.
- Chemical Processing: Adds analog I/O for temperature, pressure, and flow monitoring; supports discrete I/O for valve and pump control in distributed process skids.
- Food & Beverage Production: Scales I/O for packaging lines, batch control, and safety interlocks, enabling real‑time data exchange with SCADA systems.
Case Example: A US automotive plant used GE IC694CHS392 to expand three RX3i CPU backplanes with 10‑slot serial expansion backplanes, adding 30 I/O modules for robot motion control and welding systems. GE IC694CHS392 enabled remote I/O placement (12 meters from CPU backplanes), reducing wiring costs by 25% and improving system responsiveness. Post‑installation, the plant achieved 99.98% uptime and reduced I/O‑related downtime by 30%.
Comparison with Competing Products
| Parameter | GE IC694CHS392 | Allen‑Bradley 1756‑A10 | Siemens S7‑1500 ET 200MP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slots | 10; leftmost for serial power supply | 10; any slot for power supply | 10; power supply slot fixed |
| Expansion Distance | 50 ft (15 m) | 33 ft (10 m) | 328 ft (100 m) via Profinet |
| Communication | High‑Speed Serial | ControlLogix Backplane | Profinet |
| RX3i Compatibility | Native | Requires gateway | Protocol converter needed |
| Power Consumption | 150 mA @ 5 VDC | 200 mA @ 5 VDC | 180 mA @ 5 VDC |
| Hot‑Swap | No | Yes | Yes |
Selection Recommendations and Precautions
Selection Recommendations
- Choose GE IC694CHS392 for RX3i systems needing I/O expansion beyond the CPU backplane’s slot capacity.
- Pair with IC694PWR331/330/321 serial power supplies to ensure stable backplane power.
- Use shielded serial expansion cables for distances over 30 feet (9 meters) to minimize noise interference.
- Set the DIP switch to a unique rack number (0–7) to avoid address conflicts in multi‑rack systems.
Precautions
- Do not hot‑swap modules on GE IC694CHS392; power off the system before installing/removing modules.
- Ensure the serial power supply is correctly installed in the leftmost slot to prevent backplane power failure.
- Keep expansion distance within 50 feet (15 meters) to maintain communication reliability.
- Follow ESD‑safe handling procedures to protect backplane circuitry during installation.
- Verify rack numbering via DIP switch to avoid address conflicts with other expansion backplanes.

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