GE Fanuc IC670 Series Modules: IC670ALG320 Analog Output

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE Fanuc IC670 Series Technical Notes

The GE Fanuc IC670 series — commercially designated as the VersaMax Micro and VersaMax I/O platform — represents one of the most widely deployed distributed I/O and compact PLC architectures in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power auxiliary systems, offshore platforms, pulp and paper mills, and continuous-process chemical plants, the IC670 product line has accumulated a multi-decade installed base that continues to demand active spare parts support well beyond the series' commercial production lifecycle. Its modular backplane architecture, compatibility with the GE Series 90-70 and Series 90-30 control hierarchies, and support for Genius Bus, Profibus-DP, and DeviceNet communication protocols made it a default selection for plant engineers throughout the 1990s and 2000s. As of 2026, the IC670 series is in its end-of-life phase; GE Vernova (formerly GE Digital / Emerson) has transitioned customers toward the RX3i (IC695) platform. However, the volume of IC670 hardware in active service globally means that sourcing certified replacement modules remains a critical operational requirement for maintenance teams.

The Evolution of IC670 Architecture

The IC670 platform was introduced as part of GE Fanuc's VersaMax distributed I/O strategy, designed to extend the reach of Series 90-70 and Series 90-30 CPUs into remote field locations via a carrier-based, hot-swappable module system. Early revisions of the IC670 backplane (IC670CHS001, IC670CHS002) supported up to 8 I/O modules per drop, communicating upstream via the Genius Bus (IC660 protocol layer). Subsequent architecture revisions introduced the IC670GBI001 Genius Bus Interface, enabling direct integration with the IC693 and IC697 CPU families without a dedicated bus controller. The IC670ALG series (analog I/O) was introduced to address the limitations of earlier IC660-era analog modules, offering improved resolution (12-bit and 16-bit variants), configurable input ranges (0–10 V, 4–20 mA, ±10 V), and on-module diagnostics accessible via the Genius Bus data telegram. The IC670MDL series (discrete I/O) provided 24 VDC and 120/240 VAC sink/source configurations. As plant control architectures migrated toward Ethernet-based fieldbus (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP), GE Fanuc introduced the IC670ETM001 Ethernet adapter, allowing IC670 I/O drops to interface with PACSystems RX3i controllers — a transitional compatibility layer that extended the IC670 platform's operational relevance into the 2010s. The IC670 series is now fully discontinued; no new production runs are scheduled. Replacement migration paths lead to the IC695 (RX3i) and IC694 (RX3i compact) families.

IC670 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Analog Output Modules

• IC670ALG320: 4-channel analog voltage/current output, 12-bit resolution, 0–10 V / 4–20 mA configurable per channel
• IC670ALG321: 8-channel analog current output, 12-bit, 4–20 mA, single-ended, Genius Bus interface
• IC670ALG322: 4-channel analog output, 16-bit resolution, ±10 V / 0–20 mA, enhanced linearity spec

Analog Input Modules

• IC670ALG230: 4-channel analog voltage input, 12-bit, 0–10 V / ±10 V / 0–5 V selectable
• IC670ALG231: 8-channel analog current input, 12-bit, 4–20 mA, with open-wire detection
• IC670ALG240: 4-channel thermocouple input module, supports J, K, T, E, R, S, B type, cold-junction compensated
• IC670ALG241: 4-channel RTD input, supports Pt100, Pt1000, Ni120, 3-wire configuration

Discrete Output Modules

• IC670MDL340: 32-point 24 VDC discrete output, current sinking, 0.5 A per point
• IC670MDL341: 16-point relay output, Form A contacts, 2 A per point, 120/240 VAC or 24 VDC
• IC670MDL742: 16-point 120 VAC discrete output, triac, 0.5 A per point, zero-crossing switching

Discrete Input Modules

• IC670MDL640: 32-point 24 VDC discrete input, current sourcing (IEC Type 1/Type 3)
• IC670MDL641: 16-point 120 VAC discrete input, isolated, 10 mA per point
• IC670MDL642: 32-point 24 VDC discrete input, high-density, 2-wire field device compatible

Communication & Bus Interface Modules

• IC670GBI001: Genius Bus Interface, connects IC670 I/O drop to Genius Bus network, supports up to 8 modules per drop
• IC670ETM001: Ethernet adapter module, 10/100 Mbps, enables IC670 I/O integration with PACSystems RX3i via EtherNet/IP
• IC670PBI001: Profibus-DP slave adapter, 12 Mbps, GSD file configurable

Power Supply Modules

• IC670PWR001: 24 VDC input power supply for IC670 carrier, 4 A output, DIN rail mount
• IC670PWR002: 120/240 VAC input power supply, 4 A, with power-good relay output

Carrier / Backplane

• IC670CHS001: 4-slot I/O carrier, standard depth, DIN rail or panel mount
• IC670CHS002: 8-slot I/O carrier, extended, supports mixed analog/discrete module population