GE IC697BEM713 Bus Expansion Module | Series 90-70 PLC

GE IC697BEM713 – Bus Expansion Module | Series 90-70 PLC Platform

Engineering Background: The GE Series 90-70 (S90-70) is a high-performance modular PLC platform widely deployed across critical infrastructure sectors including petrochemical refining, power generation, and municipal water treatment. Within the S90-70 architecture, the IC697BEM713 serves as the rack-to-rack bus expansion interface — the module that physically and electrically extends the VME-based backplane beyond a single rack, enabling distributed I/O configurations without sacrificing scan-cycle determinism or system-level diagnostics.

Product Positioning: The IC697BEM713 is the transmitter-side Bus Expansion Module (BEM), paired with the IC697BEM711 (receiver side) to form a complete expansion link. It is distinct from the IC697BEM731 (fiber-optic expansion) and the IC697BEM733 (extended-distance fiber variant). The IC697BEM713 is the correct choice when expansion racks are located within the same cabinet or within short copper-cable distance (<15 m), and when the application does not require electrical isolation between racks. It is not suitable for installations requiring intrinsic safety barriers or distances exceeding the copper-link specification.

Complete Technical Specifications

Electrical

• Supply Voltage: +5 VDC (from rack backplane)
• Power Consumption: 1.0 A @ +5 VDC (5 W typical)
• Bus Interface: VMEbus-compatible, Series 90-70 proprietary expansion protocol
• Expansion Cable: Shielded copper, maximum 15 m (IC697CBL700 series)
• Data Transfer: Synchronous, deterministic, rack-scan-cycle aligned

Mechanical

• Form Factor: Single-slot VME module, Series 90-70 rack compatible
• Dimensions: Standard IC697 module footprint
• Weight: ~400 g
• Connector: 96-pin DIN 41612 backplane connector + front-panel expansion port
• Compatible Racks: IC697CHS750, IC697CHS782, IC697CHS790 (5, 9, 16-slot)

Environmental

• Operating Temperature: 0 °C to +60 °C
• Storage Temperature: −40 °C to +85 °C
• Relative Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
• Vibration: IEC 68-2-6 compliant
• Shock: IEC 68-2-27 compliant
• Altitude: Up to 2000 m without derating

Certifications

• UL Listed (Industrial Control Equipment)
• CE Marked (EMC Directive 2014/30/EU)
• RoHS compliant
• CSA certified

Specification data sourced from GE Automation & Controls IC697BEM713 Product Data Sheet (GFK-0356) and Series 90-70 PLC Installation Manual (GFK-0262). Verify against current GE documentation for safety-critical applications.

Proven Application Environments

• Petrochemical Refining — Distillation column control systems; continuous process with distributed I/O across multiple field junction boxes; 24/7 unattended operation requiring deterministic scan cycles.
• Thermal Power Generation — Boiler combustion management and turbine auxiliary control; high-vibration environment with strict EMC requirements; integration with DCS via Genius Bus or Modbus RTU.
• Municipal Water Treatment — SCADA-linked pump station automation; geographically distributed rack configurations within a single control room; moderate temperature, high-humidity enclosures.
• Pulp & Paper Manufacturing — Continuous digester and bleaching line control; multi-rack S90-70 systems requiring synchronized I/O expansion; integration with GE Cimplicity HMI.
• Automotive Assembly — Body-in-white welding line sequencing; high-cycle-rate discrete I/O with tight timing requirements; expansion racks mounted in adjacent control panels within 10 m.
• Chemical Batch Processing — Reactor charge/discharge sequencing with recipe management; mixed analog/discrete I/O across expanded racks; SIL-2 safety layer implemented via separate safety PLC with IC697BEM713 handling non-safety I/O.

Engineering Advantages

• For installations requiring I/O count beyond a single 16-slot rack, this Bus Expansion Module extends system capacity to up to 7 additional expansion racks, because the S90-70 architecture supports up to 8 racks total per CPU via the BEM expansion chain.
• For applications with strict scan-cycle determinism requirements, this module maintains synchronous data transfer aligned to the CPU scan cycle, because the expansion protocol is tightly coupled to the VMEbus arbitration logic — not asynchronous.
• For retrofit and brownfield projects, this module is backward-compatible with all IC697 CPU variants from the 731 through the 782 series, because GE maintained backplane protocol consistency across the S90-70 product lifecycle.
• For environments with high electrical noise (VFDs, large motor starters), this module benefits from the shielded copper expansion cable’s differential signaling, because the IC697CBL700 cable design rejects common-mode interference up to the specified EMC limits.
• For maintenance teams managing spare-parts inventory, this module’s single-slot form factor and standard DIN connector allow hot-identification (power-off swap) without rack disassembly, because no rack modification is required for module replacement.
• For procurement engineers requiring supply chain continuity, the IC697BEM713 remains available as a verified surplus and refurbished unit with full functional testing, because the S90-70 platform’s long installed base sustains a robust secondary market.

System Architecture & Signal Flow

The IC697BEM713 occupies a slot in the primary (CPU) rack. It receives the VMEbus backplane data from the CPU and re-transmits it via the front-panel expansion port over a shielded copper cable (IC697CBL700 series) to the IC697BEM711 receiver module installed in the expansion rack. The expansion rack then presents the bus to its local I/O modules as if they were directly connected to the CPU rack. Scan-cycle data is transferred synchronously; the CPU waits for expansion rack I/O data before completing the scan — ensuring no data skew between primary and expansion I/O.

Compatible Modules:

• IC697BEM711 — Expansion Receiver Module (mandatory pair for IC697BEM713)
• IC697CBL700 / CBL702 / CBL706 — Expansion cables (1 m, 2 m, 6 m)
• IC697CHS750 / CHS782 / CHS790 — Compatible expansion racks (5, 9, 16-slot)
• IC697CPU731 / CPU771 / CPU781 / CPU782 — All S90-70 CPU variants

Substitution Conditions: The IC697BEM731 (fiber-optic BEM) may substitute when rack separation exceeds 15 m or when electrical isolation between racks is required. The IC697BEM713 cannot substitute for the IC697BEM711 (receiver) — the transmitter and receiver roles are not interchangeable.

Sourcing & Quality Verification

Units offered through Konmask.com are sourced from decommissioned industrial systems, authorized surplus channels, and verified distributor stock. Each unit undergoes the following 4-step verification process before listing:

1. Visual Inspection: PCB, connectors, and front panel examined for physical damage, corrosion, or evidence of field repair.
2. Functional Power-On Test: Module installed in a live S90-70 test rack; CPU recognition and bus communication confirmed via GE Logicmaster or Proficy Machine Edition diagnostic tools.
3. Firmware Version Check: Firmware revision recorded and disclosed; compatibility with target CPU firmware confirmed where applicable.
4. Burn-In & Final Inspection: 24-hour powered soak at operating temperature; post-soak functional retest before packaging.

Documentation available upon request: Test report, firmware revision record, photos of actual unit, certificate of conformance, and original GE datasheet (GFK-0356).

Procurement Process

1. Submit Inquiry: Contact support@konmask.com or call +0086 19859288691 with your required quantity, target delivery date, and destination country. Attach your BOM or system configuration if available.
2. Receive Quote & Confirmation: A detailed quotation including unit price, lead time, shipping options, and payment terms will be issued within 24 hours of inquiry receipt. Stock availability is confirmed at time of quotation.
3. Order & Dispatch: Upon order confirmation and payment, units are packaged in anti-static ESD bags with foam protection and dispatched with full tracking. Export documentation (commercial invoice, packing list, COO) provided for international shipments.

Technical Support: Pre-sales engineering support is available for system compatibility verification, rack configuration review, and cable selection. Post-sales support covers installation guidance and integration troubleshooting via email or video call.

Technical FAQ

Q: Can the IC697BEM713 be used with a Series 90-30 or PACSystems RX7i CPU?
A: No. The IC697BEM713 is exclusively compatible with the GE Series 90-70 (IC697) platform. The Series 90-30 uses a different bus architecture (IC693 form factor), and the PACSystems RX7i, while physically rack-compatible with S90-70 hardware, uses a different expansion mechanism (PCIM or RMX modules). Confirm CPU model before ordering.

Q: Can the IC697BEM713 replace the IC697BEM711, or vice versa?
A: No. The IC697BEM713 is the transmitter (primary rack side) and the IC697BEM711 is the receiver (expansion rack side). The two modules perform complementary, non-interchangeable functions. A complete expansion link requires one of each, connected by an IC697CBL700-series cable.

Q: Is the IC697BEM713 suitable for SIL-rated safety applications?
A: The IC697BEM713 is not independently SIL-rated. In installations with functional safety requirements, the S90-70 platform is typically used for non-safety I/O, with a separate certified safety PLC (e.g., GE RX3i with Safety CPU) handling SIL-2/SIL-3 loops. Consult the project safety engineer and the applicable IEC 61511 / IEC 62061 documentation before specifying this module in a safety-instrumented function.

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