GE Series 90-70 IC697 Modules - IC697BEM713G

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE Fanuc Series 90-70 Series Technical Notes

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of Series 90-70 modules, including models that GE Fanuc (now part of Emerson) has formally discontinued. This page serves as a reference index for procurement engineers, maintenance managers, and reliability teams who need to identify, verify, and source specific IC697 part numbers.

The Evolution of Series 90-70 Architecture

GE Fanuc introduced the Series 90-70 platform in the late 1980s as a high-end, rack-based PLC system designed to compete with Siemens S5 and Allen-Bradley PLC-5 in large-process and hybrid applications. The architecture is built around a VME-derived backplane bus, with modules communicating over a proprietary high-speed serial bus (Genius Bus) and a parallel backplane.

Early generations (circa 1989–1995) used the IC697CPM915 and IC697CPU731 processors, which relied on battery-backed CMOS RAM for program storage. Mid-generation CPUs (IC697CPU771, IC697CPU781) introduced expanded memory and faster scan times. Later revisions added Ethernet connectivity via the IC697CMM742 module. The platform reached end-of-active-development around 2010, with GE transitioning customers toward the PACSystems RX7i — a physically compatible but architecturally distinct successor that shares the same rack form factor but uses a different backplane protocol.

This transition created a compatibility boundary: RX7i CPUs cannot directly execute Series 90-70 ladder logic without conversion, and many Series 90-70 I/O modules are not recognized by RX7i CPUs without specific configuration. Plants that have not migrated remain entirely dependent on original IC697 hardware. The supply chain for these components is finite and shrinking.

Series 90-70 Full Catalog & Functionalities (IC697 SKU List)

CPU & Controller Modules

• IC697CPU731: Series 90-70 CPU, 512KB user memory, standard scan performance
• IC697CPU771: Enhanced CPU, 1MB user memory, floating-point math support
• IC697CPU781: High-performance CPU, 2MB user memory, faster I/O scan
• IC697CPM915: Co-processor module, offloads math-intensive ladder tasks from main CPU
• IC697CPU789: CPU with embedded Ethernet port, 2MB memory

Discrete Input Modules (DI)

• IC697MDL340: 32-point 24VDC discrete input module
• IC697MDL341: 32-point 120VAC discrete input module
• IC697MDL653: 16-point 120VAC isolated discrete input module
• IC697MDL240: 16-point 24VDC discrete input, high-density

Discrete Output Modules (DO)

• IC697MDL940: 32-point 24VDC discrete output, 0.5A per point
• IC697MDL753: 16-point relay output module, Form C contacts
• IC697MDL741: 16-point 120VAC triac output module

Analog Input / Output Modules (AI/AO)

• IC697ALG320: 16-channel analog input, 4–20mA / 0–10V configurable
• IC697ALG440: 8-channel analog output, 4–20mA
• IC697ALG230: 8-channel analog input, thermocouple/RTD

Communications & Bus Modules

• IC697BEM713G: Bus Transmitter Expansion Board — extends the Series 90-70 backplane bus to remote expansion racks; critical for multi-rack configurations
• IC697CMM742: Ethernet TCP/IP communications module, 10BaseT
• IC697CMM711: Genius Bus Controller, manages Genius I/O bus segments
• IC697BEM731: Bus Receiver Module, paired with BEM713 in remote rack configurations

Power Supply Modules

• IC697PWR711: 120/240VAC input power supply, 30W output
• IC697PWR724: 24VDC input power supply, redundancy-capable

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete Series 90-70 Parts

GE Fanuc formally ended new production of the majority of IC697 modules. Emerson (which acquired GE's automation division) provides limited repair services for select models, but new-manufacture replacement units are no longer available through standard distribution channels for most part numbers.

For plant managers facing a forced migration timeline driven solely by parts unavailability — not by process requirements — sourcing replacement IC697 modules extends the viable service life of the existing control system by 5 to 10 years. The cost differential between a replacement module and a full system migration is typically two to three orders of magnitude. The engineering case for lifecycle extension is straightforward: defer capital expenditure, maintain process continuity, and execute migration on a planned schedule rather than under emergency conditions.

Quality Control for the Series 90-70 Range

Series 90-70 modules present specific failure modes that require targeted inspection protocols. DriveKNMS applies the following verification steps to IC697 units prior to dispatch:

• Electrolytic capacitor assessment: Backplane power conditioning circuits and analog signal conditioning boards use electrolytic capacitors with a finite service life. Units are inspected for bulging, leakage, and ESR deviation. Capacitors showing degradation are replaced with equivalent-specification components before the unit is offered for sale.
• Firmware version verification: CPU and communications modules carry firmware that must be compatible with the target system's software revision. Firmware version is read and documented for each unit. Customers are advised of the version prior to shipment.
• Backplane connector inspection: VME-style edge connectors are inspected under magnification for pin corrosion, mechanical deformation, and contact oxidation. Affected contacts are cleaned using appropriate non-residue solvents.
• Functional power-on test: Each module is powered in a test rack and verified to initialize correctly, with diagnostic LEDs and self-test routines confirming baseline functionality.
• Static discharge protection: All units are stored and shipped in ESD-protective packaging. Handling procedures follow IPC-A-610 guidelines for electrostatic-sensitive devices.