GE Series 90-30 IC693 Modules: IC693BEM321 Link Interface Master Module —

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE Series 90-30 (IC693) Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The GE Series 90-30, identified by the IC693 part number prefix, is a rack-based programmable logic controller platform developed by GE Automation & Controls (formerly GE Fanuc). It has accumulated a substantial installed base across global heavy industry sectors including petrochemical refining, nuclear power auxiliary systems, pulp and paper manufacturing, water treatment, and offshore oil & gas platforms. Its modular backplane architecture — supporting 5-slot, 10-slot, and expansion rack configurations — allows system integrators to construct control nodes ranging from compact standalone units to distributed multi-rack systems spanning thousands of I/O points. The IC693BEM321 is a Link Interface Master (LIM) module within this platform, enabling high-speed peer-to-peer communication across the GE Genius Bus network at up to 153.6 Kbaud, coordinating data exchange between Series 90-30 CPUs and remote I/O blocks, drives, and other Genius-compatible devices.

The Evolution of IC693 (Series 90-30) Architecture

The Series 90-30 platform was introduced in the early 1990s as a mid-range successor to GE's Series Six and Series Five PLC lines. The initial CPU modules — IC693CPU311 and IC693CPU313 — operated on a proprietary backplane bus with limited memory and no onboard Ethernet capability. Through successive hardware generations, GE Fanuc expanded the CPU lineup to include the IC693CPU364 and IC693CPU374, which introduced embedded Ethernet ports and support for the SRTP (Service Request Transfer Protocol) used in GE's Proficy Machine Edition programming environment.

Communication architecture evolved in parallel: early systems relied exclusively on the Genius Bus (IC693BEM321, IC693BEM331) for distributed I/O. Later revisions added PROFIBUS-DP master capability (IC693BEM331), DeviceNet (IC693DNM200), and Ethernet Global Data (EGD) via the IC693CMM321 and IC693ETM001 modules. The platform reached end-of-active-development status in the 2010s, with GE (later Emerson after the 2018 acquisition of GE's automation division) transitioning customers toward the RX3i (IC695) platform. However, the Series 90-30 remains operational in a large number of installed sites where full migration is not economically viable, creating sustained demand for spare and replacement modules.

IC693 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

CPU Modules

• IC693CPU311: 6K-word user memory CPU, RS-232 serial port, no Ethernet, entry-level controller.
• IC693CPU313: 12K-word CPU with expanded I/O scan capability, dual serial ports.
• IC693CPU321: 32K-word CPU, supports floating-point math, enhanced instruction set.
• IC693CPU340: 240K-word CPU with high-speed counter support and motion coordination.
• IC693CPU350: 240K-word CPU, embedded Ethernet port, SRTP and EGD protocol support.
• IC693CPU364: 512K-word CPU, dual Ethernet ports, advanced PID and motion instructions.
• IC693CPU374: 512K-word CPU, embedded Ethernet, highest-performance Series 90-30 CPU.

Communication & Bus Interface Modules

• IC693BEM321: Genius Bus Link Interface Master (LIM); coordinates up to 32 Genius devices per bus at 153.6 Kbaud. Primary SKU on this listing.
• IC693BEM331: PROFIBUS-DP Master module; supports up to 125 slave devices, 12 Mbaud data rate.
• IC693CMM321: Multi-protocol communications module; supports SNP, SNP-X, RTU Modbus master/slave.
• IC693CMM311: Serial communications module; RS-232/RS-485, ASCII and RTU Modbus protocols.
• IC693ETM001: Ethernet TCP/IP module; 10/100 Mbps, SRTP and EGD protocol support.
• IC693DNM200: DeviceNet Master scanner module; supports up to 64 DeviceNet slave nodes.

Discrete Input Modules

• IC693MDL230: 8-point 120VAC discrete input module, isolated inputs.
• IC693MDL240: 16-point 120VAC discrete input module.
• IC693MDL632: 16-point 24VDC positive logic discrete input module.
• IC693MDL634: 32-point 24VDC discrete input module, high-density format.

Discrete Output Modules

• IC693MDL330: 8-point 120/240VAC relay output module, 2A per point.
• IC693MDL740: 16-point 12/24VDC transistor output module, positive logic.
• IC693MDL742: 32-point 24VDC transistor output module, high-density.

Analog Modules

• IC693ALG220: 4-channel analog voltage/current input module, 12-bit resolution.
• IC693ALG390: 4-channel analog output module, 0–10V / 4–20mA selectable.

Power Supply Modules

• IC693PWR321: 120/240VAC input power supply, 30W output for 5-slot and 10-slot racks.
• IC693PWR330: 24VDC input power supply, 30W, for DC-powered panel installations.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete IC693 Parts

The Series 90-30 platform has been in end-of-active-development status for over a decade. GE (Emerson) no longer manufactures the majority of IC693-prefix modules, and OEM lead times for any remaining new-old-stock units are indeterminate. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of IC693 modules sourced through certified industrial surplus channels, including IC693BEM321 Link Interface Master units, CPU modules across all generations, and high-demand I/O modules.

For facilities operating Series 90-30 systems under long-term maintenance contracts — particularly in nuclear auxiliary, refinery DCS, and water infrastructure applications where platform migration is subject to regulatory approval cycles — DriveKNMS provides lifecycle extension support: module-level replacement, functional equivalency documentation, and cross-reference to RX3i (IC695) migration paths where applicable. All sourced units are accompanied by traceability documentation and are tested prior to shipment.

Quality Control for the IC693 Range

IC693 modules present specific test challenges due to their backplane bus architecture and Genius Bus communication protocol. DriveKNMS applies the following verification procedures to IC693 units prior to dispatch:

• Backplane bus continuity and slot impedance verification using Series 90-30 test rack fixtures.
• CPU modules: full program load/execute cycle test using Proficy Machine Edition, verification of serial and Ethernet port functionality where applicable.
• BEM321 and BEM331 communication modules: Genius Bus enumeration test with live I/O block, verification of LIM arbitration and bus fault recovery behavior.
• Analog modules: calibration verification across full input/output range using traceable reference instruments.
• Power supply modules: load test at rated output wattage, ripple and regulation measurement.
• Visual inspection: capacitor condition, connector pin integrity, conformal coating assessment.

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