GE Series 90-70 IC697 Modules IC697VDD100 Voltage Distribution Device

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE Series 90-70 (IC697) Series Technical Notes

The GE Series 90-70 — identified by the IC697 prefix — is a rack-based programmable logic controller platform developed by GE Automation & Controls (formerly GE Fanuc). It has been deployed extensively across heavy industrial sectors including petrochemical refineries, nuclear power generation auxiliaries, offshore oil & gas platforms, pulp and paper mills, and large-scale water treatment facilities. The Series 90-70 architecture supports high-density I/O configurations, multi-rack expansion, and deterministic scan-cycle execution, making it a reference platform for process-critical automation installed throughout the 1990s and 2000s. A significant installed base remains operational globally, sustaining demand for original spare parts, tested replacements, and lifecycle extension services.

The Evolution of IC697 Architecture

The Series 90-70 was introduced in the late 1980s as GE's high-end PLC platform, succeeding the Series Six and Series Five families. Early revisions used the VMEbus backplane standard, enabling third-party module integration. The CPU lineup evolved from the IC697CPU731 (early 32-bit processor) through the IC697CPU772 and IC697CPU781, culminating in the IC697CPX935 — the highest-performance CPU in the family, supporting C-block programming and expanded memory. Communication capabilities expanded progressively: early Genius Bus controllers gave way to Ethernet TCP/IP modules (IC697CMM742), and later to Profibus and DeviceNet adapters. The platform reached end-of-active-development in the mid-2010s, with GE (subsequently Emerson and then Movicon/Proficy ecosystem partners) directing new projects toward the PACSystems RX7i — which maintains physical and partial software compatibility with IC697 racks, easing migration. For sites that cannot migrate, long-term maintenance sourcing remains the primary operational strategy.

IC697 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

CPU Modules

• IC697CPU731: Series 90-70 CPU, 512KB user memory, early 32-bit architecture baseline.
• IC697CPU771: Enhanced CPU, 1MB memory, floating-point math support.
• IC697CPU772: High-capacity CPU, 2MB user memory, expanded I/O table.
• IC697CPU781: Advanced CPU, 4MB memory, redundancy-ready configuration.
• IC697CPX935: Top-tier CPU, C-block support, 10MB memory, Ethernet-ready.

Discrete Input Modules

• IC697MDL240: 120VAC discrete input, 16-channel, isolated group inputs.
• IC697MDL241: 120VAC discrete input, 32-channel, high-density rack configuration.
• IC697MDL250: 24VDC discrete input, 32-channel, sinking/sourcing compatible.
• IC697MDL253: 24VDC discrete input, 16-channel, individually isolated inputs.

Discrete Output Modules

• IC697MDL340: 120VAC discrete output, 16-channel, relay-isolated outputs.
• IC697MDL341: 120VAC discrete output, 32-channel, triac solid-state outputs.
• IC697MDL350: 24VDC discrete output, 32-channel, sourcing transistor outputs.

Analog I/O Modules

• IC697ALG230: Analog input, 16-channel, 4–20mA / 0–10V configurable per channel.
• IC697ALG320: Analog output, 8-channel, 4–20mA / ±10V, 12-bit resolution.
• IC697ALG440: Combination analog I/O, 4 inputs / 2 outputs, thermocouple-compatible.

Communication & Network Modules

• IC697CMM711: Genius Bus Controller, manages up to 32 Genius I/O blocks per bus.
• IC697CMM742: Ethernet TCP/IP module, 10BaseT, SRTP and Modbus TCP support.

Power Supply Modules

• IC697PWR710: 120/240VAC power supply, 30W output, standard 9-slot rack.
• IC697PWR724: 24VDC input power supply, 30W, for DC-powered panel installations.

Voltage Distribution & Backplane Accessories

• IC697VDD100: Voltage distribution device; distributes backplane power across expansion racks, required for multi-rack Series 90-70 configurations.