GE DS3800HCMA

Technical Specifications

• Product Type: High-Current Multiplexer Analog Board

• Part Number: DS3800HCMA

• Manufacturer: General Electric (GE)

• System Compatibility: GE Speedtronic Mark IV Turbine Control Systems

• Input Channels: 16 differential analog inputs

• Output Channels: 1 multiplexed differential analog output

• Input Type: Voltage (±10V) or current (4-20mA) (jumper-selectable per channel)

• Input Impedance: > 10MΩ (voltage mode); 250Ω (current mode)

• Multiplexing Speed: 100 channels per second (10ms per channel)

• Scan Sequence: Sequential or skip (jumper-selectable)

• Accuracy: ±0.1% of full scale at 25°C; ±0.02% per °C drift

• Protection: Over-voltage and over-current protection per input

• Isolation: 1500Vrms opto-isolation (field-to-logic)

• Temperature Range: 0°C to +60°C

• MTBF: > 150,000 hours (MIL-HDBK-217F)

Key Features & Advantages

• High-Current Multiplexing: The GE DS3800HCMA handles up to 50mA per channel in current mode, suitable for 4-20mA loop-powered transmitters.

• High Channel Density: 16 input channels on a single 6U board, saving rack space.

• Flexible Input Configuration: Jumper-selectable voltage or current per channel.

• Sequential Scanning: Automatically scans all 16 channels in sequence at 10ms per channel.

• Skip Mode: Jumper-selectable skip function for unused channels.

• Diagnostic LEDs: Front-panel LEDs indicate channel activity and fault conditions.

Typical Application Cases

• Temperature Monitoring: Multiplexes thermocouple and RTD signals to a single ADC.

• Pressure Transducer Scanning: Monitors multiple pressure transmitters in sequence.

• Vibration Monitoring: Scans multiple accelerometer signals for turbine health monitoring.

• Process Control: Multiplexes analog inputs for DCS integration.

Competitive Comparison

The GE DS3800HCMA is the only Mark IV board with analog multiplexing capability, reducing the number of ADCs required.

Selection Guidelines & Precautions

1. Input Type Selection: Configure jumpers per channel for voltage or current to match your field sensors.

2. Scan Time: The GE DS3800HCMA scans at 10ms per channel. Ensure this scan time is acceptable for your application.

3. Skip Mode: Unused channels should be set to “skip” to reduce scan time.

4. Wiring: Use shielded twisted-pair cables; ground shield at board end only.

5. ESD Handling: Use ESD-safe practices.

6. Sourcing: Obsolete. Request functional test report including all 16 channels tested.

7. Spare Strategy: Keep one spare GE DS3800HCMA on-site for critical multiplexing applications.