GE Series 90-30 IC693 Modules — IC693CHS391

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

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

The GE Series 90-30 (IC693) is one of the most widely deployed programmable logic controller platforms in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power auxiliary systems, pulp and paper mills, water treatment facilities, and continuous process manufacturing plants, the IC693 architecture established a benchmark for modular, rack-based PLC design throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Its distributed I/O capability, deterministic scan cycle, and broad third-party integration support made it the default control platform for mid-scale automation projects requiring high channel density and long service life.

The IC693CHS391 is a 9-slot expansion chassis within this family, designed to extend the I/O capacity of a Series 90-30 CPU rack via a dedicated expansion cable. It accepts all standard IC693 I/O and specialty modules and is powered by a separate power supply module (e.g., IC693PWR321 or IC693PWR330).

The Evolution of IC693 Architecture

The Series 90-30 platform was introduced by GE Fanuc Automation in the early 1990s as a successor to the Series Six and Series Five PLC families. The IC693 designation covers the full range of CPUs, chassis, I/O modules, communications adapters, and power supplies within this platform.

Early IC693 CPUs (IC693CPU311, IC693CPU313) offered limited memory and no Ethernet capability. Mid-generation releases introduced the IC693CPU364 and IC693CPU374 with embedded Ethernet ports and expanded program memory. The final generation — IC693CPU374 and IC693CPU375 — added support for Motion Mate DSM314 integration and high-speed counter modules.

Compatibility across generations is generally maintained at the chassis and I/O level: any IC693 I/O module can be installed in any IC693 chassis regardless of CPU generation. However, certain specialty modules (e.g., IC693APU305 Alphanumeric Display, IC693DSM302 Motion Controller) require specific CPU firmware versions. The platform entered end-of-active-production status circa 2015–2018, with GE (later Emerson Automation Solutions under the Movicon/PACSystems brand) directing new projects to the RX3i (IC695) platform. The IC693 series is now in the mature/end-of-life phase; long-term maintenance support is the primary use case for sourcing these components.

IC693 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Chassis & Backplane

• IC693CHS391: 9-slot expansion chassis, accepts all IC693 I/O modules, requires separate PSU
• IC693CHS392: 5-slot expansion chassis, compact form factor for limited-space installations
• IC693CHS393: 10-slot base/expansion chassis, maximum density configuration
• IC693CHS398: 5-slot base chassis with integrated power supply slot

Power Supply Modules

• IC693PWR321: 120/240 VAC input power supply, 30W output for IC693 chassis
• IC693PWR322: 24 VDC input power supply, 30W, for DC-powered panel environments
• IC693PWR330: High-capacity 120/240 VAC power supply, 40W, for fully loaded chassis

CPU Modules

• IC693CPU311: Entry-level CPU, 6K word program memory, no Ethernet, serial port only
• IC693CPU313: Mid-range CPU, 12K word memory, supports expanded I/O via expansion chassis
• IC693CPU331: Enhanced CPU, 32K word memory, floating point math support
• IC693CPU340: Advanced CPU, 240K word memory, Ethernet option via IC693CMM321
• IC693CPU350: High-performance CPU, 240K word memory, built-in serial ports
• IC693CPU360: CPU with embedded Ethernet port, 240K word memory
• IC693CPU364: Dual Ethernet CPU, 240K word memory, supports SRTP and Modbus TCP
• IC693CPU374: Top-tier CPU, 512K word memory, dual Ethernet, Motion Mate DSM support

Discrete Input Modules

• IC693MDL230: 8-point 120 VAC discrete input module, isolated inputs
• IC693MDL240: 16-point 120 VAC discrete input module, standard density
• IC693MDL241: 16-point 24 VDC positive logic discrete input module
• IC693MDL260: 32-point 24 VDC discrete input module, high-density

Discrete Output Modules

• IC693MDL310: 8-point relay output module, 2A per point, Form C contacts
• IC693MDL330: 8-point 120 VAC triac output module
• IC693MDL340: 16-point 120 VAC output module
• IC693MDL752: 32-point 24 VDC positive logic output module, high-density

Analog Modules

• IC693ALG220: 4-channel analog input, 4–20 mA / 0–10V, 12-bit resolution
• IC693ALG221: 8-channel analog input, voltage/current selectable per channel
• IC693ALG390: 2-channel analog output, 4–20 mA / 0–10V, 12-bit resolution
• IC693ALG391: 4-channel analog output, current/voltage, 12-bit resolution

Communications & Specialty Modules

• IC693CMM321: Ethernet interface module, 10BaseT, SRTP server/client
• IC693CMM311: Serial communications module, RS-232/RS-485, Modbus RTU support
• IC693BEM331: Genius Bus Controller, interfaces IC693 rack to Genius I/O field bus
• IC693DSM302: 2-axis motion control module, stepper/servo interface
• IC693DSM314: 4-axis motion control module, requires IC693CPU374 or later

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete IC693 Parts

The IC693 platform is no longer in active production. OEM lead times for new units are either extended or unavailable. The installed base, however, remains substantial: facilities with 10–30 year operational horizons continue to require exact-match replacements to avoid full system re-engineering costs.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of IC693 modules sourced from decommissioned systems, authorized surplus channels, and tested pull stock. All units are inspected prior to listing. For chassis modules such as the IC693CHS391, backplane bus integrity and slot connector condition are verified before dispatch.

For end-of-life models where new stock is exhausted, DriveKNMS provides repair and refurbishment services with documented test results. Customers operating under long-term maintenance contracts or plant turnaround schedules are encouraged to submit multi-line BOM requests for consolidated sourcing.

Quality Control for the IC693 Range

IC693 chassis and backplane modules present specific failure modes that require targeted inspection protocols. The IC693CHS391 and related chassis are tested for the following:

• Backplane bus continuity across all 9 slot positions using dedicated IC693-compatible bus testers
• Slot connector pin integrity — bent or oxidized pins are the primary cause of intermittent module faults
• Expansion port signal integrity for chassis used in multi-rack configurations
• Power rail voltage verification under simulated load conditions

For CPU and communications modules, firmware version is recorded and provided with shipment documentation. For I/O modules, each channel is functionally tested against published GE specifications. All tested units are labeled with inspection date and technician ID.