GE Series 90-30 Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE Fanuc Series 90-30: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The GE Fanuc Series 90-30 Programmable Logic Controller platform is one of the most widely deployed modular PLC architectures in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power auxiliary systems, pulp and paper mills, water treatment facilities, and continuous process manufacturing plants, the Series 90-30 established a benchmark for mid-range DCS-adjacent control in the 1990s and 2000s. The PC2IP3 is a dual-port Ethernet TCP/IP communications module designed for the Series 90-30 backplane, enabling peer-to-peer and SRTP-based supervisory communications in distributed control architectures.

The platform's modular rack design — supporting 5-slot, 10-slot, and 12-slot configurations — allowed engineers to mix CPU, I/O, and communications modules within a single chassis, a topology that remains in active service at thousands of installed sites worldwide. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of Series 90-30 modules to support long-term operational continuity for these installations.

The Evolution of Series 90-30 Architecture

The Series 90-30 was introduced by GE Fanuc Automation in the early 1990s as a successor to the Series Six and Series Five PLC families. Its architecture was built around a proprietary backplane bus with deterministic scan-cycle execution, initially supporting RS-232 and RS-485 serial communications. The first-generation CPUs — including the IC693CPU311 and IC693CPU313 — offered limited memory and no native Ethernet capability.

The second architectural generation introduced the IC693CPU364 and IC693CPU374, which integrated embedded Ethernet ports and expanded program memory to 240KB and 512KB respectively. Concurrently, standalone communications modules such as the PC2IP3 (Ethernet TCP/IP), IC693CMM321 (serial), and IC693CMM311 (serial) were introduced to retrofit legacy racks with network connectivity without requiring CPU replacement.

Following GE Fanuc's rebranding to GE Intelligent Platforms and subsequent acquisition by Emerson (rebranded as Emerson Automation Solutions), the Series 90-30 entered a managed end-of-life phase. New installations migrated to the PACSystems RX3i platform (IC695 prefix), which offers backward-compatible I/O modules via the IC695LRE001 expansion adapter. However, the installed base of Series 90-30 hardware remains substantial, and direct module replacements continue to be required for sites that cannot justify a full platform migration.

Series 90-30 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Communication Modules

• PC2IP3: Dual-port Ethernet TCP/IP module, SRTP/Modbus TCP, Series 90-30 backplane
• IC693CMM321: Serial communications module, RS-232/RS-485, ASCII/RTU/SNP protocol support
• IC693CMM311: Single-port serial module, SNP slave protocol, point-to-point configuration
• IC693PBS301: PROFIBUS-DP slave adapter, 12 Mbps, up to 244 bytes I/O
• IC693BEM331: Genius Bus Controller, supports up to 32 Genius devices per bus
• IC693BEM321: Genius Bus Transmitter module for remote I/O expansion

CPU Modules

• IC693CPU311: Entry-level CPU, 6KB program memory, no embedded Ethernet
• IC693CPU313: Mid-range CPU, 12KB program memory, serial port
• IC693CPU323: 16KB program memory, expanded I/O capacity
• IC693CPU331: 32KB program memory, floating-point math support
• IC693CPU341: 64KB program memory, enhanced instruction set
• IC693CPU364: 240KB program memory, embedded 10/100 Ethernet port
• IC693CPU374: 512KB program memory, dual embedded Ethernet, high-speed counter

Discrete I/O Modules

• IC693MDL645: 16-point 24VDC discrete input module, sink/source configurable
• IC693MDL655: 32-point 24VDC discrete input module, high-density
• IC693MDL740: 12-point relay output module, 2A per point, Form C contacts
• IC693MDL752: 16-point 24VDC discrete output module, sourcing

Analog I/O Modules

• IC693ALG221: 4-channel analog input, 4–20mA / 0–10V, 12-bit resolution
• IC693ALG392: 8-channel analog input, 12-bit, current/voltage selectable per channel
• IC693ALG442: 4-channel analog output, 12-bit, 4–20mA / 0–10V

Power Supply Modules

• IC693PWR321: 120/240VAC input power supply, 30W output, standard rack
• IC693PWR330: 24VDC input power supply, 30W, for DC-powered installations
• IC693PWR331: High-capacity 120/240VAC power supply, 40W, redundancy-capable

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete Series 90-30 Parts

The Series 90-30 platform has been formally discontinued by Emerson Automation Solutions, with standard repair and replacement support having ended. For operators of refineries, power generation facilities, and continuous process plants where a full migration to PACSystems RX3i is not operationally feasible within current maintenance windows, DriveKNMS provides lifecycle extension sourcing for the complete Series 90-30 module catalog.

DriveKNMS maintains stock of both new-surplus and professionally refurbished Series 90-30 modules, including low-volume SKUs such as the IC693PBS301 PROFIBUS adapter and the IC693BEM331 Genius Bus Controller, which are no longer available through standard distribution channels. All sourced units are accompanied by full traceability documentation. Inquiries for bulk quantities, emergency replacement orders, and long-term supply agreements are handled directly by our technical sales team.

Quality Control for the Series 90-30 Range

Series 90-30 modules present specific test challenges due to their proprietary backplane bus protocol and the age-related degradation patterns common in hardware manufactured between 1992 and 2010. DriveKNMS applies a structured verification process to all Series 90-30 units prior to shipment.

Each module undergoes powered functional testing in a live Series 90-30 rack using a reference IC693CPU364 or IC693CPU374 CPU. For communications modules including the PC2IP3, testing includes full SRTP session establishment, Modbus TCP register read/write verification, and dual-port failover validation. Analog I/O modules are tested against calibrated reference signals across the full input/output range. Discrete I/O modules are cycled through all points under load. Power supplies are tested under rated load with output ripple measurement.

Capacitor condition assessment is performed on all units manufactured prior to 2005, given the known electrolytic capacitor degradation profile in this hardware generation. Units that fail any test stage are quarantined and not offered for sale.