GE Series Six IC600 Modules: IC600CB526 IC600FP501K IC600CB526R

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE Series Six (IC600) Series Technical Notes

The GE Series Six PLC platform — identified by the IC600 prefix — is one of General Electric's most widely deployed programmable logic controller families in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power generation facilities, offshore platforms, pulp and paper mills, and continuous-process chemical plants, the IC600 series established GE Fanuc's position as a tier-one DCS/PLC supplier throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Its modular backplane architecture, deterministic scan cycle, and robust I/O density made it the preferred control platform for processes requiring high availability and long service life. Thousands of IC600-based systems remain in active production service worldwide, creating sustained demand for spare modules, repair services, and lifecycle extension support.

The Evolution of IC600 Architecture

The Series Six platform was introduced in the early 1980s as GE's response to the growing demand for rack-based, modular PLCs capable of handling large I/O counts in continuous-process environments. The original architecture used a parallel backplane bus with a proprietary GE communication protocol, supporting CPU modules, discrete I/O, analog I/O, and specialty function modules within a common chassis.

Early IC600 CPUs — including the IC600CB526 and IC600CB516 — used mask-programmed or EPROM-based logic with fixed memory maps. As the platform matured, GE Fanuc introduced expanded memory variants (the IC600CB526R designation indicates a factory-repaired or remanufactured unit to OEM specification) and enhanced coprocessor modules. The IC600FP501K front panel interface module provides the local operator display and keyswitch interface critical to CPU operation.

Compatibility across IC600 generations is constrained by backplane slot addressing and firmware revision. Mixing early-generation CPUs with later I/O modules requires careful firmware cross-referencing. The platform reached end-of-production status, but GE Fanuc (later GE Intelligent Platforms, now Emerson) continued to offer repair and limited spare parts support. The successor platform is the GE Series 90-30 (IC693) and Series 90-70 (IC697) families, though direct migration requires full I/O rewiring and program conversion.

IC600 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following represents the core IC600 Series Six module catalog, organized by functional category. All models listed are genuine GE Fanuc part numbers documented in GE Series Six hardware manuals.

CPU & Logic Control Modules

• IC600CB526: Expanded memory logic control CPU module, Series Six main processor with extended program storage capacity.
• IC600CB526R: Factory-remanufactured IC600CB526 CPU module, tested to OEM specification, functionally identical to new production unit.
• IC600CB516: Standard memory CPU module, Series Six base processor for moderate program size applications.
• IC600CB524: High-speed CPU module variant with enhanced scan rate performance for time-critical control loops.
• IC600CB502: Entry-level Series Six CPU, suited for small discrete control applications with limited I/O count.

Front Panel & Interface Modules

• IC600FP501K: Front panel interface module with integrated keyswitch, status LEDs, and local operator display port; required for IC600CB526 CPU operation.
• IC600FP501: Standard front panel module, base variant without enhanced keyswitch assembly.
• IC600FP505: Remote front panel interface for distributed cabinet installations.

Discrete Input Modules

• IC600BF901: 115VAC discrete input module, 16-point, isolated, for field device status monitoring.
• IC600BF902: 24VDC discrete input module, 32-point, high-density I/O for compact panel builds.
• IC600BF831: TTL-level discrete input module, 32-point, for low-voltage sensor interfacing.

Discrete Output Modules

• IC600BF921: 115VAC discrete output module, 16-point relay, for solenoid valve and motor starter control.
• IC600BF922: 24VDC discrete output module, 32-point transistor, for high-speed switching applications.

Analog I/O Modules

• IC600BF844: 8-channel analog input module, 4–20mA / 0–10V selectable, 12-bit resolution for process variable monitoring.
• IC600BF845: 4-channel analog output module, 4–20mA, for control valve and variable speed drive setpoint transmission.

Communication & Network Modules

• IC600CM552: Genius Bus Controller module, interfaces IC600 backplane to GE Genius I/O network for distributed I/O expansion.
• IC600CM560: Serial communications module, RS-232/RS-485, for HMI and SCADA host connectivity.

Power Supply Modules

• IC600PS501: Series Six rack power supply, 115/230VAC input, regulated DC output for backplane and module power.
• IC600PS502: High-capacity power supply variant for fully populated racks with high I/O module count.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete IC600 Parts

The IC600 Series Six platform is classified as end-of-life by GE Intelligent Platforms / Emerson. OEM new-production inventory is exhausted for the majority of catalog numbers, including the IC600CB526, IC600FP501K, and IC600CB526R. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of tested surplus, refurbished, and remanufactured IC600 modules sourced from decommissioned plant assets, authorized repair channels, and global industrial surplus networks.

Quality Control for the IC600 Range

IC600 Series Six modules present specific test challenges due to their parallel backplane bus architecture, EPROM-based firmware, and age-related component degradation (electrolytic capacitor ESR drift, battery-backed SRAM data retention, and relay contact wear on output modules). DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all IC600 units prior to dispatch:

• Full rack power-up test using a reference IC600 chassis with known-good backplane and power supply.
• CPU module: program load/verify cycle using GE Series Six programming software; memory map integrity check; keyswitch and front panel LED functional verification via IC600FP501K interface.
• I/O modules: point-by-point signal injection and readback for all discrete and analog channels; isolation resistance measurement between field-side and logic-side circuits.
• Communication modules: Genius Bus Controller loopback test; serial port baud rate and framing verification.
• Visual inspection: PCB for corrosion, cold solder joints, damaged connectors, and capacitor bulge.
• Final burn-in: 24-hour powered soak at ambient temperature prior to packaging.