GE IC660ELB912

Description

Product Overview: The GE IC660ELB912 Genius Bus Controller Module

The GE IC660ELB912 is a Genius Bus Controller module for the GE Fanuc Series 90-30 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). This specialized communication module serves as the critical gateway between the Series 90-30 PLC rack and the Genius I/O system, a high-speed, peer-to-peer distributed I/O network. The primary function of the IC660ELB912 is to manage all data exchange—both input and output—across a Genius LAN (Local Area Network), allowing the central PLC to monitor and control remote I/O blocks that can be located up to 7,500 feet away. It translates the parallel bus communications of the PLC rack to the serial protocol of the Genius network. Implementing a system with the GE IC660ELB912 requires careful planning, for which the official product manual and datasheet is an essential resource.

Product Parameters and Technical Specifications

• Function: Genius Bus Controller for Series 90-30 PLC.

• Compatible PLC Rack: Designed for use in the Series 90-30 PLC, occupying a single-slot in the main or expansion rack.

• Genius LAN Support: Interfaces with a single Genius bus, supporting communication with multiple Genius distributed I/O blocks (BEMs, BETs, etc.).

• Data Transfer: Handles both discrete and register (analog) data from the configured Genius devices.

• Bus Termination: Typically incorporates a switchable bus termination resistor, which must be enabled at the physical end of the Genius bus cable.

• Diagnostic LEDs: Features status indicators for power, communication health, and fault conditions on both the module and the Genius network.

• Configuration: Configured using the PLC programming software (Proficy Machine Edition, VersaPro, or earlier LM90) by defining the Genius device addresses and data types.

Advantages and Key Features

• Enables Distributed I/O Architecture: The IC660ELB912 allows the Series 90-30 PLC to leverage the robust Genius I/O system, significantly extending control reach and reducing long wiring runs from field devices to the central cabinet.

• High-Speed & Deterministic Network: Genius LAN provides fast, predictable scan times for I/O updates, which is crucial for real-time control applications.

• Peer-to-Peer Communication: Facilitates direct data exchange between Genius blocks without CPU intervention, enabling fast interlocking between remote stations.

• Enhanced Diagnostics: Provides detailed network and device-level diagnostics, making troubleshooting of field wiring and devices more efficient.

• Proven Industrial Reliability: Like the rest of the 90-30/Genius ecosystem, the IC660ELB912 is known for its durability and stable performance in harsh industrial environments.

Application Cases in Industry

• Automated Material Handling Systems: Controlling and monitoring remote I/O for conveyor sections, sorters, and palletizers spread across a large warehouse or distribution center.

• Automotive Manufacturing: Managing welding cells, paint booth controls, and clamp/valve manifolds located throughout a production line from a central 90-30 PLC.

• Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants: Distributing control for pump stations, chemical feed skids, and filter beds across a large plant site using a single Genius network managed by the IC660ELB912.

• Food and Beverage Processing: Controlling batch processes, packaging lines, and clean-in-place (CIP) systems where equipment is geographically dispersed.

Comparison with Competing Products
The GE IC660ELB912 competed with other proprietary distributed I/O network interfaces of its era, such as the Allen-Bradley 1747-SN Scanner for Remote I/O (connected to PLC-5 or SLC 500) or the Siemens CP 341 communication processor for Profibus. Compared to the A-B Remote I/O, the Genius system via the IC660ELB912 offered a true peer-to-peer capability and often simpler cabling (single twisted pair). Against modern Ethernet-based I/O (like GE’s own PROFINET or EtherNet/IP modules), the Genius system and the IC660ELB912 represent a legacy, serial-based technology with lower raw data speed but high deterministic performance and proven noise immunity in electrically noisy environments.

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

• Selection Advice: The GE IC660ELB912 is selected specifically for expanding an existing Series 90-30 PLC system with Genius distributed I/O or for replacing a failed unit in a legacy installation. It is not a choice for new system design, where modern Ethernet-based I/O is standard. Ensure your application’s I/O count and response time requirements are within the capacity of a single Genius bus.

• Precautions:

  1. Legacy Technology: Acknowledge this as a mature product. Ensure availability of spares and compatibility with your existing software.

  2. Correct Termination: The bus termination switch on the IC660ELB912 must be set correctly (typically “ON” if it is the last device on the bus) to ensure proper network communication.

  3. Configuration is Mandatory: The module will not function without a proper hardware configuration and Genius bus parameter setup downloaded to the PLC CPU.

  4. Cable and Distance Limits: Adhere strictly to Genius bus cabling specifications (Belden 9423 or equivalent) and maximum distance rules to avoid communication errors.

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