GE Series 90-30 IC694 Modules: IC694MDR3901

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE Series 90-30 IC694 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The GE Series 90-30 (IC694 platform) is one of the most widely deployed programmable logic controller families in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power auxiliary systems, pulp and paper mills, water treatment facilities, and continuous-process chemical plants, the IC694 rack-based architecture established a benchmark for modular mid-range PLC design throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Its 5-slot, 10-slot, and expanded rack configurations support mixed I/O densities, enabling engineers to tailor control system footprints to process requirements without over-provisioning hardware. The backplane bus architecture supports hot-standby CPU redundancy configurations, making the platform suitable for Safety Instrumented System (SIS) adjacent applications where unplanned downtime carries significant operational cost.

The Evolution of IC694 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 original IC693 designation covered the first-generation hardware; the IC694 designation marks the second-generation backplane and module set, introducing enhanced CPU processing speeds, expanded memory addressing, and improved noise immunity for industrial environments. Key architectural milestones include the transition from the CPU331/340 generation to the CPU364/374 generation, which added Ethernet TCP/IP native connectivity and eliminated the need for separate Ethernet Interface Modules (EIM) in many topologies. The IC694 series also introduced the CMM321 and CMM002 communication co-processors, enabling simultaneous multi-protocol operation (Modbus RTU, SNP, SRTP) on a single rack. As of 2020, GE Vernova (formerly GE Digital / Emerson Automation Solutions post-acquisition) has classified the majority of IC694 CPU and I/O modules as End-of-Life (EOL) or Last-Time-Buy (LTB). Field replacement units (FRU) and new-old-stock (NOS) sourcing from authorized distributors and specialist suppliers represents the primary procurement channel for ongoing maintenance.

IC694 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

Discrete Output / Combination Modules

• IC694MDR3901: 8-pt 120VAC/VDC input + 6-pt relay output discrete combination module, 2A per point
• IC694MDL340: 8-pt 120VAC discrete input module, isolated, standard density
• IC694MDL341: 16-pt 120VAC discrete input module, non-isolated group
• IC694MDL390: 8-pt 120VAC/VDC relay output module, 2A per point, Form C contacts
• IC694MDL391: 16-pt 24VDC discrete output module, 0.5A per point, sourcing
• IC694MDL660: 32-pt 24VDC discrete input module, high-density, sinking
• IC694MDL752: 32-pt 24VDC discrete output module, high-density, sourcing, 0.25A per point
• IC694MDL916: 16-pt 24VDC discrete input/output combination module, configurable per point

Analog I/O Modules

• IC694ALG220: 4-ch analog input module, 4–20mA / 0–20mA, 12-bit resolution
• IC694ALG221: 8-ch analog input module, 4–20mA / 0–20mA, 12-bit resolution
• IC694ALG222: 4-ch analog input module, ±10V / 0–10V voltage, 12-bit resolution
• IC694ALG390: 2-ch analog output module, 4–20mA current, 12-bit resolution
• IC694ALG391: 2-ch analog output module, ±10V voltage, 12-bit resolution
• IC694ALG442: 4-ch analog input, thermocouple/RTD universal input, 16-bit resolution

CPU Modules

• IC694CPU364: Series 90-30 CPU, 240KB user memory, built-in Ethernet 10/100 Mbps, SNP/SRTP
• IC694CPU374: Series 90-30 CPU, 512KB user memory, built-in Ethernet, enhanced floating-point
• IC694CPU310: Entry-level CPU, 6KB program memory, no built-in comms, legacy baseline

Communication & Specialty Modules

• IC694CMM321: Serial communications co-processor, 2-port RS-232/RS-485, Modbus RTU master/slave
• IC694CMM002: Ethernet Interface Module (EIM), 10BaseT, legacy Ethernet for pre-364 CPUs
• IC694BEM321: Genius Bus Controller, interfaces IC694 rack to Genius I/O field bus network

Power Supply Modules

• IC694PWR321: 120/240VAC input power supply, 30W output, standard rack supply
• IC694PWR330: 24VDC input power supply, 30W output, for DC-powered panel installations

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete IC694 Parts

The IC694 platform entered GE's End-of-Life notification cycle between 2018 and 2022, with the majority of discrete I/O and CPU modules now classified as discontinued. OEM channel availability is effectively closed for most part numbers. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of IC694 new-old-stock (NOS), refurbished, and tested-used modules sourced through controlled decommissioning projects and authorized surplus channels. For combination modules such as the IC694MDR3901, which integrate both input and relay output functions on a single board, field replacement is complicated by the need to match firmware revision levels to the resident CPU. DriveKNMS cross-references firmware compatibility matrices prior to shipment to eliminate revision mismatch failures. Long-term maintenance contracts covering annual inspection, spare pool management, and emergency exchange programs are available for facilities operating IC694-based systems beyond 2030.

Quality Control for the IC694 Range

IC694 modules present specific test challenges due to their hybrid backplane bus architecture, which combines a parallel data bus with a serial token-passing protocol for I/O scanning. DriveKNMS applies a multi-stage verification protocol to all IC694 units: (1) Visual inspection of backplane connector pins, capacitor condition, and relay contact surfaces for combination modules such as the IC694MDR3901; (2) Powered functional test using a Series 90-30 test rack with a known-good IC694CPU364, verifying all I/O points against datasheet specifications under rated load; (3) Burn-in cycle of minimum 48 hours at ambient temperature to screen latent component failures; (4) Communication bus integrity test confirming correct token-passing behavior and absence of bus contention errors. All units are shipped with a test report and a 12-month warranty against functional defects.

© 2026 DriveKNMS. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Specifications are for reference only and subject to change without notice. Verify all parameters against official documentation before installation.