Description

GE IC697CHS7906 – High-Capacity Control Head Station for Series 90-70 PLC

Product Description

Product Parameters

Advantages and Features

1. Expanded 12-Slot Capacity: The GE IC697CHS7906 offers 12 full-size slots, enabling integration of a large number of modules for complex applications—from multi-axis motion control to extensive process monitoring—eliminating the need for additional control racks and simplifying system architecture.
2. High-Speed Backplane Communication: The optimized 16-bit parallel backplane ensures fast, stable data transfer between modules, minimizing latency in real-time control scenarios such as robotic assembly, continuous process regulation, and safety interlock systems.
3. Native Redundant Power Support: Designed to work seamlessly with GE’s Series 90-70 redundant power supplies, the GE IC697CHS7906 provides uninterrupted power to critical modules, reducing downtime risks in mission-critical applications like power plants and chemical processing.
4. Full Series 90-70 Compatibility: Works with all legacy and new-generation Series 90-70 modules, allowing users to reuse existing hardware investments while upgrading key components, lowering total cost of ownership and reducing system deployment time.
5. Heavy-Duty Industrial Durability: Constructed with a reinforced steel chassis and corrosion-resistant materials, the module withstands harsh industrial conditions—including extreme temperatures, vibration, and electromagnetic interference—ensuring long-term reliability in steel mills, oil refineries, and mining operations.
6. User-Friendly Maintenance Design: Features tool-less module insertion, clear slot labeling, and accessible backplane connectors, streamlining installation, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance tasks to minimize operational downtime.

Application Cases in Application Fields

1. Large-Scale Automotive Assembly Plant: A global automotive OEM deployed the GE IC697CHS7906 in its main assembly line control systems. The 12-slot capacity accommodated a CPU module, 6 digital I/O modules, 2 analog modules, 2 communication modules, and 1 safety module, enabling centralized control of 30+ robotic workstations and reducing production line synchronization errors by 30%.
2. Coal-Fired Power Plant Control Room: A utility company integrated the GE IC697CHS7906 into its boiler and turbine control PLCs, housing modules for temperature, pressure, and steam flow monitoring. The native redundant power support prevented downtime during power fluctuations, while the high-speed backplane ensured real-time data transmission to the central SCADA system, improving grid stability by 18%.
3. Petrochemical Refinery Process Control: A petrochemical manufacturer used the GE IC697CHS7906 to upgrade its legacy Series 90-70 system, reusing existing I/O modules while adding new communication modules for cloud-based process monitoring. The 12-slot capacity supported all required control and monitoring functions, and the rugged design withstood the refinery’s high-temperature and corrosive environment.
4. Mining Industry Conveyor Systems: A mining company deployed the GE IC697CHS7906 in its underground and surface conveyor control PLCs, integrating modules for speed control, load monitoring, and safety interlocks. The module’s vibration resistance and wide storage temperature range ensured reliability in harsh mining conditions, while the expanded slot capacity supported control of 20+ conveyor belts from a single head station.

Comparisons with Competing Products

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

1. Selection Suggestions:
   • Choose the GE IC697CHS7906 for large-scale Series 90-70 PLC systems requiring extensive module integration, such as automotive assembly plants, power generation facilities, and petrochemical refineries.
   • Opt for this control head station if you need redundant power support for mission-critical applications, as it natively works with GE’s Series 90-70 redundant power supplies without additional components.
   • Prioritize the GE IC697CHS7906 for legacy system upgrades, as its full compatibility with old and new Series 90-70 modules preserves hardware investments and minimizes downtime.
2. Precautions:
   • Ensure the unit is mounted in a 19-inch standard industrial rack to maintain structural stability and proper airflow, which is critical for preventing overheating in fully populated configurations.
   • Use only genuine GE Series 90-70 modules and compatible power supplies (IC697PWR710/711/720) with the GE IC697CHS7906 to avoid compatibility issues and preserve the product warranty.
   • Regularly inspect the backplane connectors for dust, corrosion, or loose connections, as these can disrupt inter-module communication in industrial environments.
   • Keep the operating temperature within the 0°C to 60°C range; avoid installing the head station in direct sunlight, unventilated enclosures, or areas with excessive moisture.
   • When configuring redundant power, ensure both power supplies are identically rated and from GE’s approved range to guarantee seamless failover and prevent voltage mismatches.

IC697CHS7906