GE PACSystems RX3i Modules IC695NIU001 Ethernet Network Interface Unit

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE PACSystems RX3i Series Technical Notes

The GE PACSystems RX3i platform is one of the most widely deployed distributed control architectures in global heavy industry. Installed across petrochemical refineries, nuclear power generation facilities, offshore platforms, and large-scale chemical processing plants, the RX3i backplane-based architecture provides deterministic control with high-availability redundancy options. Its universal backplane accepts both legacy Series 90-30 I/O modules and native RX3i modules, making it a long-lifecycle investment for plant operators who require backward compatibility across multi-decade operational windows. The IC695NIU001 is a core communications module within this ecosystem, providing 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connectivity for distributed I/O expansion over standard TCP/IP infrastructure.

The Evolution of PACSystems RX3i Architecture

GE introduced the PACSystems RX3i platform in the early 2000s as a successor to the Series 90-70 and Series 90-30 controllers, consolidating their industrial PLC portfolio under a unified runtime environment. The RX3i CPU architecture is based on Intel x86 processing with a high-speed backplane bus operating at 300 MB/s, a significant advancement over the earlier VME-based Series 90-70 backplane. Early RX3i deployments used the IC695CPU310 and IC695CPU315 processors, which were subsequently superseded by the IC695CPU320 and the high-performance IC695CPE302 and IC695CPE330 variants featuring embedded Ethernet ports and expanded memory. The communications architecture evolved in parallel: early systems relied on the IC695ETM001 for Ethernet connectivity at the rack level, while the IC695NIU001 was introduced to serve as a network interface unit for remote I/O drops, enabling geographically distributed I/O expansion without dedicated controller hardware. Compatibility between RX3i generations is maintained through the common PACSystems runtime, though firmware version alignment between CPU and remote I/O modules is a critical integration requirement. Plants migrating from Series 90-30 can reuse IC693 I/O modules in RX3i racks via the IC695LRE001 expansion adapter, preserving existing field wiring investments.

PACSystems RX3i Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

CPU & Controller Modules

• IC695CPU310: Entry-level RX3i CPU, 10 MB user memory, no embedded Ethernet
• IC695CPU315: Mid-range CPU, 64 MB user memory, single embedded serial port
• IC695CPU320: Standard RX3i CPU, 64 MB user memory, dual embedded Ethernet ports
• IC695CPE302: Enhanced CPU with embedded dual Ethernet, USB programming port
• IC695CPE330: High-performance CPU, 32 MB program memory, dual Gigabit Ethernet
• IC695CPE400: Advanced CPU with embedded OPC-UA server and IEC 61131-3 runtime

Network Interface & Communications Modules

• IC695NIU001: Ethernet Network Interface Unit for RX3i remote I/O drops, 10/100 Mbps
• IC695ETM001: Rack-level Ethernet communications module, SRTP/Modbus TCP support
• IC695PBM300: PROFIBUS DP master module, up to 125 slave devices
• IC695PBS301: PROFIBUS DP slave module for RX3i rack integration
• IC695CMM002: Serial communications module, dual RS-232/RS-485 ports
• IC695CMX128: Expanded serial communications, 128 KB message buffer

Discrete I/O Modules

• IC695MDL654: 16-point 24 VDC discrete input module, isolated
• IC695MDL664: 16-point 24 VDC discrete output module, 0.5 A per point
• IC695MDL740: 32-point 24 VDC discrete input, high-density
• IC695MDL750: 32-point 24 VDC discrete output, high-density, 0.5 A per point

Analog I/O Modules

• IC695ALG600: 8-channel analog input, voltage/current configurable, 16-bit resolution
• IC695ALG608: 8-channel analog input with HART pass-through support
• IC695ALG704: 8-channel analog output, 16-bit resolution, 4–20 mA / 0–10 V
• IC695ALG728: 16-channel analog input, high-channel-density rack configuration

Power Supply Modules

• IC695PSA040: 40 W AC/DC power supply, 120/240 VAC input, 5 VDC / 3.3 VDC output
• IC695PSD040: 40 W DC power supply, 24 VDC input
• IC695PSA140: 40 W redundant-capable AC power supply