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:
- Visual Inspection: PCB, connectors, and front panel examined for physical damage, corrosion, or evidence of field repair.
- 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.
- Firmware Version Check: Firmware revision recorded and disclosed; compatibility with target CPU firmware confirmed where applicable.
- 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
- Submit Inquiry: Contact [email protected] or call +0086 19859288691 with your required quantity, target delivery date, and destination country. Attach your BOM or system configuration if available.
- 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.
- 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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