GE Series 90-70 Modules – 8724-CA-PS

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE Fanuc Series 90-70 Series Technical Notes

The GE Fanuc Series 90-70 (commonly referenced as the 9070 or IC697 platform) is a rack-based programmable logic controller system that has maintained a dominant installed base across global heavy industry since its commercial introduction in the late 1980s. Deployed extensively in chemical processing plants, petroleum refineries, nuclear power generation facilities, pulp and paper mills, and large-scale water treatment infrastructure, the Series 90-70 architecture is characterized by its high-density I/O capacity, deterministic scan-cycle performance, and modular backplane design that supports mixed analog, digital, and specialty function modules within a single rack. Its longevity in mission-critical environments has made it one of the most widely maintained legacy PLC platforms in the world, with active spare parts demand continuing well into the 2020s.

The Evolution of Series 90-70 Architecture

The Series 90-70 was introduced by GE Fanuc Automation as a successor to the Series Six platform, targeting large-scale process control applications that required deterministic multi-rack expansion and high channel-count I/O. The original IC697 product family established the VMEbus-derived backplane standard that defines the platform. Early CPU modules such as the IC697CPU731 and IC697CPU771 operated at clock speeds and memory capacities that were subsequently expanded through the IC697CPU781 and IC697CPU788 generations, each adding floating-point capability, expanded program memory, and enhanced communications throughput.

The 8724 sub-series — including the 8724-CA-PS power supply covered by this listing — represents a specific hardware revision family within the broader 90-70 ecosystem, sharing backplane pinout compatibility with IC697-series racks. Power supply modules in this family are rated for specific input voltage ranges (AC or DC) and output current capacities, and are not interchangeable across all rack configurations without verification of load requirements.

GE Fanuc was subsequently rebranded as GE Intelligent Platforms, and later the automation portfolio was acquired by Emerson under the Movicon/PACSystems transition roadmap. The Series 90-70 has been formally classified as a mature/end-of-life product line. GE's official position directs users toward the PACSystems RX7i platform as the architectural successor, which offers a physically compatible rack form factor and a migration path for existing 90-70 I/O modules. However, the installed base of operational Series 90-70 systems remains substantial, and direct replacement modules continue to be required for maintenance, emergency repair, and lifecycle extension programs at facilities where full system migration is not operationally or economically feasible.

Series 90-70 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly sourced modules within the GE Fanuc Series 90-70 / IC697 platform. Modules are categorized by functional type.

Power Supply Modules

8724-CA-PS: AC input power supply module for Series 90-70 rack, standard load capacity.
IC697PWR710: 120/240 VAC input, 30W output power supply for IC697 5-slot and 9-slot racks.
IC697PWR711: High-capacity AC power supply, 40W output, supports expanded I/O rack configurations.
IC697PWR724: 24 VDC input power supply module, used in DC-powered panel installations.
IC697PWR748: Redundant power supply module for fault-tolerant rack configurations.

CPU Modules

IC697CPU731: Base-tier CPU, 512KB user memory, standard ladder/function block execution.
IC697CPU771: Mid-range CPU with expanded memory and floating-point math support.
IC697CPU781: High-performance CPU, 2MB user memory, enhanced instruction set.
IC697CPU788: Top-tier CPU with 6MB memory, Ethernet option, and advanced diagnostics.
IC697CPU789: Extended CPU variant with dual-port memory for redundancy configurations.

Digital Input (DI) Modules

IC697MDL340: 32-channel 24 VDC discrete input module, sink/source configurable.
IC697MDL341: 16-channel 120 VAC discrete input module, isolated inputs.
IC697MDL653: 32-channel 24 VDC positive logic discrete input, high-density format.

Digital Output (DO) Modules

IC697MDL940: 32-channel 24 VDC discrete output module, 0.5A per point.
IC697MDL753: 16-channel relay output module, Form C contacts, 2A per point.
IC697MDL241: 16-channel 120 VAC output module, triac-based solid-state switching.

Analog Input (AI) Modules

IC697ALG230: 16-channel analog voltage/current input, 12-bit resolution, ±10V or 4–20mA.
IC697ALG440: 8-channel high-resolution analog input, 16-bit, thermocouple/RTD compatible.

Analog Output (AO) Modules

IC697ALG320: 8-channel analog voltage output, 12-bit, ±10V range.
IC697ALG321: 8-channel analog current output, 4–20mA, loop-powered configuration.

Communications & Network Adapter Modules

IC697CMM711: Serial communications module, RS-232/RS-485, multi-protocol support.
IC697CMM742: Ethernet TCP/IP communications module, 10BaseT, SRTP protocol.
IC697BEM711: Genius Bus Controller module for distributed I/O bus management.
IC697BEM713: Remote I/O scanner module for IC697 rack-to-rack expansion.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete Series 90-70 Parts

Customers requiring specific firmware revisions, hardware revision levels (e.g., Rev A vs Rev C backplane compatibility), or matched sets of modules for redundant system configurations are encouraged to submit detailed requirements directly to the procurement team.

Quality Control for the Series 90-70 Range

Series 90-70 modules present specific quality control challenges due to the complexity of the VMEbus-derived backplane interface, the age of components in circulation, and the sensitivity of analog and communications modules to electrostatic discharge and capacitor degradation.

DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all Series 90-70 units:

Visual and Physical Inspection: Board-level inspection for corrosion, damaged traces, cracked solder joints, and capacitor bulge. Backplane connector pins are inspected under magnification for deformation or oxidation.

Power Supply Bench Test: Power supply modules including the 8724-CA-PS are tested under resistive load at rated output current. Output voltage regulation, ripple, and overcurrent protection trip points are measured and recorded.

Functional Rack Test: CPU and I/O modules are installed in a reference IC697 rack and powered through a complete initialization cycle. Program load, I/O scan execution, and communications port response are verified against factory specification.

Burn-In Procedure: Selected modules undergo a 24–48 hour thermal burn-in at operating temperature to screen for early-life component failures prior to shipment.