GE VersaMax IC200BEM003 Profibus Master Module

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE VersaMax Series Technical Notes

The GE VersaMax series — identified by the IC200 product prefix — is a modular programmable logic controller (PLC) platform developed by GE Fanuc Automation (now part of Emerson Automation Solutions). Since its commercial introduction in the late 1990s, VersaMax has accumulated a substantial installed base across global heavy industries including petrochemical refining, nuclear auxiliary systems, offshore oil and gas platforms, pulp and paper mills, and continuous-process chemical plants. Its distributed I/O architecture, combined with support for multiple industrial fieldbus protocols, made it a preferred choice for plant-floor automation where deterministic communication and high module density were required. The IC200BEM003 specifically functions as a Profibus-DP Master Module, enabling the VersaMax CPU to act as a Class 1 Profibus master on DP networks operating at up to 12 Mbps.

The Evolution of VersaMax IC200 Architecture

The VersaMax platform was architected around a backplane-based local I/O expansion model combined with remote I/O drop capability via Genius Bus, Profibus-DP, DeviceNet, and Ethernet. Early revisions of the IC200 series (circa 1998–2002) used a proprietary backplane bus operating at 5 VDC with a maximum of 8 modules per local rack. Subsequent hardware revisions introduced enhanced EMI shielding, extended temperature ratings (–20°C to +60°C for select modules), and improved ASIC-based communication controllers that reduced bus arbitration latency.

The IC200BEM003 belongs to the communication adapter sub-family. It interfaces directly with the VersaMax CPU carrier and presents a Profibus-DP master port (9-pin D-sub, RS-485 physical layer). Compatibility is maintained across IC200CPUE05, IC200CPUE05-AA, IC200CPUE05-AB, and IC200CPUE05-AC CPU variants. The module does not support Profibus-PA natively; a segment coupler is required for PA device integration. As the broader VersaMax platform has entered its mature/end-of-active-production lifecycle, the IC200BEM003 is no longer manufactured under standard production orders, making secondary-market sourcing the primary procurement channel for maintenance and expansion projects.

VersaMax IC200 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Communication & Network Adapter Modules

• IC200BEM003: Profibus-DP Master Module, Class 1 master, up to 12 Mbps, 9-pin D-sub port
• IC200BEM104: DeviceNet Master/Slave Network Interface Module, Group 2 server support
• IC200ETM001: Ethernet TCP/IP Network Interface Module, 10/100 Mbps, SRTP & Modbus TCP
• IC200PBI001: Profibus-DP Slave Interface Module, for remote I/O drop configuration

CPU Modules

• IC200CPUE05: VersaMax Micro CPU, 28 I/O, Ethernet port, 64 KB user memory
• IC200CPU001: VersaMax CPU Module, serial port, 32 KB program memory
• IC200CPU002: VersaMax CPU Module, dual serial ports, expanded memory
• IC200CPUE01: VersaMax Micro CPU, 14 I/O, Ethernet, compact form factor

Discrete Input Modules (DI)

• IC200MDL140: 8-point 120 VAC Discrete Input Module, isolated
• IC200MDL240: 16-point 24 VDC Discrete Input Module, positive logic
• IC200MDL241: 16-point 24 VDC Discrete Input Module, negative logic
• IC200MDL640: 32-point 24 VDC Discrete Input Module, high-density

Discrete Output Modules (DO)

• IC200MDL330: 8-point 120/240 VAC Discrete Output Module, relay type
• IC200MDL740: 16-point 24 VDC Discrete Output Module, transistor sourcing
• IC200MDL741: 16-point 24 VDC Discrete Output Module, transistor sinking

Analog I/O Modules (AI/AO)

• IC200ALG230: 4-channel Analog Input Module, 4–20 mA / 0–10 VDC, 12-bit resolution
• IC200ALG320: 2-channel Analog Output Module, 4–20 mA, 12-bit resolution
• IC200ALG430: 4-channel Analog Input Module, thermocouple/RTD, isolated

Power Supply Modules

• IC200PWR002: VersaMax Power Supply, 24 VDC input, 5 VDC / 1.5 A output
• IC200PWR101: VersaMax Power Supply, 120/240 VAC input, 5 VDC / 3 A output

Quality Control for the VersaMax IC200 Range

VersaMax modules present specific test challenges due to their backplane bus architecture and protocol-specific communication ASICs. DriveKNMS applies the following verification procedures to IC200 series modules prior to dispatch: