Description

Product Description

The IC694CHS398 is a 5-slot serial expansion backplane engineered for PACSystems RX3i, enabling high-speed remote I/O expansion. This module allows the installation of additional RX3i or Series 90‑30 I/O modules in distributed locations while maintaining robust communication with the main CPU baseplate.

Designed for scalable automation systems, the IC694CHS398 supports up to 50 ft (15 m) of expansion cabling and requires a dedicated Serial Expansion Power Supply in the leftmost slot (IC694PWR321, IC694PWR330, or IC694PWR331). Hot-swap of modules is not supported on this backplane, ensuring stable serial communication across chained expansion racks.

Technical Specifications

Backplane Characteristics

• Type: Serial Expansion Backplane

• Slots: 5

• Compatible Modules: RX3i I/O modules (standard and high-speed serial)

• Leftmost Slot Requirement: Serial Expansion Power Supply required

• Hot-Swap: Not supported

• Expansion Connector: 25-pin D-type for daisy-chain connection

Electrical Specifications

• Operating Voltage: 5 VDC

• Internal Current Draw: 170 mA

• Power Consumption: 0.85 W

• Compatible Power Supplies: IC694PWR321, IC694PWR330, IC694PWR331

Expansion & Distance

• Supports up to seven serial expansion backplanes in a chain

• Maximum cable distance between backplanes: 50 ft (15 m)

• Requires DIP-switch configuration for correct rack addressing

Mechanical & Physical

• Dimensions (H × W × D): 5.12 × 10.43 × 5.59 in (130 × 265 × 142 mm)

• Weight: 1.19 lbs

• Mounting: Panel or enclosure

Environmental Ratings

• Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 60 °C

• Storage Temperature: –40 °C to +85 °C

• Protection: IP20

Key Features

• 5-slot serial expansion backplane for RX3i PACSystems

• High-speed serial I/O extension with daisy-chain capability

• Compatible with RX3i and Series 90‑30 modules

• Requires serial expansion power supply in the leftmost slot

• Supports up to 50 ft (15 m) cabling for distributed I/O

• Industrial-grade construction suitable for scalable systems

Applications

Ideal for distributed or remote I/O installations, modular control systems, and large-scale PACSystems RX3i expansions requiring reliable serial communication.

FAQ

Q: Can I hot-swap modules on this backplane?
A: No, hot-swap is not supported; all modules must be installed with power off.

Q: What power supply is required?
A: The leftmost slot must contain IC694PWR321, IC694PWR330, or IC694PWR331.

Q: How far can expansion racks be from the main CPU?
A: Up to 50 ft (15 m) using recommended cabling.

Q: How many expansion backplanes can I chain together?
A: Up to seven serial expansion backplanes.

Specifications

• Brand: General Electric

Advantages

• High reliability in industrial environments
• Supports continuous operation
• Compatible with major PLC/DCS systems