GE IS220PPROS1B & IS220P Series Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE IS220P Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The GE IS220P series is a family of I/O and protection modules designed for the Mark VIe Turbine Control System, GE's distributed control platform deployed across heavy industrial installations including combined-cycle power plants, nuclear auxiliary systems, petrochemical refineries, and LNG terminals. The Mark VIe architecture, of which the IS220P series forms a core I/O layer, is installed across thousands of turbine control applications globally. These modules interface directly with the VCMI (VME Communication Module Interface) backplane and communicate over the IONet Ethernet-based I/O network, providing deterministic, redundant signal processing for critical turbine protection and control loops.

The IS220P series covers a broad functional range: emergency trip protection, analog process I/O, discrete I/O, servo control, and speed/proximity sensing. Each module is engineered to operate in Class G3 corrosive environments per ISA-71.04, with conformal coating on PCBs and extended temperature tolerance suitable for turbine enclosure mounting.

The Evolution of IS220P Architecture

The IS220P series was introduced as part of GE's transition from the Mark VI (IS200 series, VMEbus-based) to the Mark VIe platform, which replaced the proprietary VMEbus backplane with an Ethernet IONet architecture. This shift, occurring in the mid-2000s, enabled distributed I/O placement closer to field devices, reducing wiring runs and improving signal integrity in large turbine halls.

Early IS220P modules (circa 2005–2010) used a 32-bit RISC processor core with firmware stored on onboard flash. Subsequent hardware revisions introduced improved EMI filtering, enhanced surge protection on analog inputs, and revised FPGA logic for faster scan rates. By the 2015–2020 period, GE (later Baker Hughes after the 2017 restructuring) began issuing end-of-life notices for select IS220P variants, transitioning customers toward the IS420 and IS410 series under the Mark VIe-S (simplex) and Mark VIe-R (redundant) architectures.

Compatibility note: IS220P modules are not directly interchangeable with IS200 series (Mark VI) modules due to the IONet vs. VMEbus interface difference. Cross-series migration requires a VCMI carrier board change and firmware reconfiguration. Within the IS220P family, most modules share the same backplane connector pinout, but firmware versions must match the VCMI revision to avoid communication faults.

IS220P Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Emergency Trip & Protection Modules

• IS220PPROS1B: Emergency turbine protection I/O module; monitors trip-critical discrete inputs and drives relay outputs for ESD logic.
• IS220PPROS1A: First-revision emergency protection I/O; functionally equivalent to S1B with earlier PCB revision and firmware baseline.
• IS220PPROH1B: High-density protection I/O module; expanded discrete channel count for complex multi-valve trip matrix configurations.

Analog Input Modules

• IS220PAICH1B: 16-channel analog input module; 4–20 mA / 1–5 V configurable per channel; used for process variable monitoring (pressure, temperature, flow).
• IS220PAICH1A: First-revision 16-channel analog input; predecessor to H1B with identical channel count and reduced surge protection rating.
• IS220PTCCH1B: Thermocouple input module; supports J, K, T, E, R, S, B type thermocouples; cold junction compensation onboard.
• IS220PRTDH1B: RTD input module; supports 2-, 3-, and 4-wire PT100/PT1000 configurations; used for bearing and winding temperature measurement.

Analog Output Modules

• IS220PAOAH1B: 8-channel analog output module; 4–20 mA output; used for valve positioner and actuator control signals.

Discrete Input Modules

• IS220PDIAH1B: 24-channel discrete input module; 24 VDC wet contact; used for limit switches, pressure switches, and auxiliary contact monitoring.
• IS220PDIAH1A: First-revision 24-channel discrete input; predecessor to H1B with identical channel count.

Discrete Output Modules

• IS220PDOAH1B: 16-channel discrete output module; solid-state relay outputs; used for solenoid valve and auxiliary relay driving.

Servo & Valve Control Modules

• IS220PSVOH1B: Servo output module; drives electrohydraulic servo valves (EHSV) for turbine inlet valve and extraction valve positioning.
• IS220PSVO H1A: First-revision servo output; predecessor to H1B with earlier FPGA revision.

Speed & Proximity Modules

• IS220PSPAH1B: Speed and proximity input module; processes magnetic pickup and proximity probe signals for turbine speed measurement and overspeed protection.
• IS220PSPAH1A: First-revision speed/proximity input; predecessor to H1B.

Communication & Carrier Modules

• IS220PVIBH1B: Vibration monitoring input module; interfaces with Bently Nevada-compatible proximity probes for shaft vibration and eccentricity measurement.
• IS220PTURH1B: Turbine reference module; provides synchronization reference signals for multi-module Mark VIe racks.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete IS220P Series Parts

GE (Baker Hughes) has issued end-of-life notices for several IS220P variants, with last-time-buy windows now closed for modules including the IS220PPROS1A, IS220PAICH1A, IS220PDIAH1A, and IS220PSPAH1A. OEM new stock is no longer available through standard distribution channels for these part numbers.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of tested surplus and refurbished IS220P modules sourced from decommissioned power plant control system upgrades, OEM overstock liquidations, and controlled disassembly of retired Mark VIe racks. All units are catalogued by hardware revision and firmware version to ensure compatibility matching with the customer's existing VCMI and IONet configuration.

For plants operating Mark VIe systems beyond the OEM support window, DriveKNMS provides lifecycle extension support including: module-level repair, firmware version verification, backplane connector inspection, and functional burn-in testing. This service is designed to extend the operational life of installed Mark VIe systems without requiring a full control system upgrade, which typically involves significant engineering, commissioning, and downtime costs.

Quality Control for the IS220P Range

IS220P modules present specific test challenges due to their IONet Ethernet communication interface and multi-channel mixed-signal I/O architecture. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all IS220P units prior to shipment:

• Visual inspection: PCB conformal coating integrity check; backplane connector pin inspection for corrosion, bent pins, and mechanical damage; capacitor and relay visual assessment.
• Power-on self-test (POST): Module is powered via a compatible VCMI carrier in a test rack; onboard diagnostics are allowed to complete; fault LED status is recorded.
• IONet communication verification: Module is enrolled in a test Mark VIe configuration; IONet packet exchange is confirmed; module health status is verified in the ToolboxST configuration environment.
• Channel-level functional test: Each I/O channel is exercised with calibrated signal sources (for analog modules) or contact simulators (for discrete modules); output accuracy is measured against published GE specifications.
• Thermal soak: Units are operated at elevated temperature (55°C) for a minimum of 4 hours to screen for latent component failures.
• Firmware version documentation: Firmware revision is recorded and provided with the shipment documentation to allow the customer to verify compatibility with their VCMI revision.