GE IC694CHS398 5-Slot Serial Expansion Backplane for PACSystems RX3i & Series 90-30 PLCs
GE IC694CHS398 5-Slot Serial Expansion Backplane for PACSystems RX3i & Series 90-30 PLCs
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Brand:GE Fanuc PLC Item No.:GE IC694CHS398 Product Origin:USA Product Dimensions:265.9 × 129.9 × 142 mm Product Weight:1.0 kg Payment:T/T, Western Union, Credit Card Goods_stock:15 Shipping Port:Xiamen, China Lead Time:1-3 Days Condition:Brand New And Original Warranty:1 Year Certificate:COO
The GE IC694CHS398 is a 5-slot serial expansion backplane engineered to expand the I/O capacity of GE Fanuc PACSystems RX3i and Series 90-30 PLC systems. Acting as a remote or auxiliary rack interface, it enables flexible system growth by supporting additional I/O modules connected over a high-speed serial expansion bus. Ideal for distributed control architectures and large automation installations, this backplane provides a scalable foundation for modular system design.
Technical Specifications
Specification
Details
Product Type
5-Slot Serial Expansion Backplane
Compatible PLC
GE Fanuc PACSystems RX3i / Series 90-30
Slot Count
5 expansion slots
Backplane Bus Type
High-speed serial expansion only
Maximum Cable Length
15 m (50 ft) between expansion and universal backplanes
Power Requirement
5 VDC @ 170 mA
Rack Configuration
DIP switch rack number setting required before module installation
Hot-Swap Support
Not supported
Operating Temp.
~0 °C to +60 °C (industrial environments)
Isolation
Standard industrial backplane design
Mounting
Rack / panel mount in control cabinets
Dimensions (L×W×H)
265.9 × 129.9 × 142 mm(approx.)
Weight
~1.0 kg (approx.)
This backplane expands the hardware system by linking multiple backplanes while maintaining robust electrical and mechanical connections typical of PACSystems hardware.
Recommended Related Modules
GE IC694PWR330 – High-capacity power supply module
GE IC694CPU331 – Core RX3i PLC CPU module
GE IC694MDL752 – 16-point digital input module
GE IC694DSM314 – High-density discrete output module
Popular GE PLC Modules
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GE IC694ALG442 – Mixed analog I/O module
GE IC693DNM200 – DeviceNet master communications module
GE IC693CMM311 – Serial communications interface
Applications
The IC694CHS398 backplane is widely used in industrial automation where modular expansion and distributed I/O are required:
Distributed control cabinets across large manufacturing cells
Remote machine I/O clusters for decentralized processing
Modular automation systems with scalable I/O requirements
Large process control installations requiring flexible expansion
PLC retrofit and scaling projects where additional I/O space is needed
By enabling connection of additional remotely placed modules, this backplane supports scalable designs without the need for full replacement of existing universal racks.
Advantages
Scalable I/O expansion — supports added modules without enlarging the primary rack.
High-speed serial bus — provides fast, reliable communication with connected backplanes.
Universal compatibility — works with both RX3i and Series 90-30 modules.
Robust industrial build — designed for vibration resistance and industrial environments.
Flexible deployment — ideal for distributed architectures or remote I/O placement.
DIP rack configuration — allows system integrators to define rack addressing clearly.
These features make the IC694CHS398 a core structural component for larger PLC installations that grow over time or need modular organization.
Technical FAQs
What is the GE IC694CHS398?
It’s a 5-slot serial expansion backplane used to extend I/O and module capacity in PACSystems RX3i and Series 90-30 PLC systems.
How many modules can be installed on this backplane?
Up to 5 expansion modules can be installed.
What kind of backplane bus does it use?
It uses a high-speed serial expansion bus for module communications.
Does it support hot-swap? No — modules should not be inserted or removed while power is applied.
What supply voltage does it require? 5 VDC at around 170 mA from the connected controller or power supply.
Can it be used with Series 90-30 modules?
Yes — it is compatible with Series 90-30 when configured correctly.
What is the maximum cable length between backplanes? 15 m (50 ft) maximum between expansion backplanes and control racks.
How is rack addressing configured?
Via builtin DIP switches prior to module installation.
Where is it typically mounted?
In a PLC rack or control cabinet with standard mounting hardware.
Is this model still manufactured?
It is generally discontinued/legacy and available as surplus or refurbished stock.
