Description
GE Fanuc IC694CHS392 | RX3i 10-Slot Expansion Baseplate | Serial Backplane
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | GE Fanuc |
| Catalog Number | IC694CHS392 |
| Platform | PACSystems RX3i |
| Product Type | Serial Expansion Baseplate |
| Backplane Support | High-Speed Serial Only |
| Number of Slots | 10 |
| Module Compatibility | RX3i Standard I/O / compatible option modules |
| Expansion Connection | Serial expansion bus |
| Expansion Connector | 25-pin D-shell female |
| Maximum Expansion Cable Length | 15 m / 50 ft |
| Internal Power Consumption | 150 mA @ 5 VDC |
| Dimensions | Approx. 5.12 × 17.44 × 5.59 in. (H × W × D) |
| Mounting | Panel mounting |
| Hot Insertion/Removal | Not supported |
| Power Supply Position | Leftmost position |
| Expansion Capability | Supports additional serial expansion bases |
The IC694CHS392 is identified in GE Fanuc RX3i documentation as a 10-slot expansion base, distinct from the IC695CHS012 and IC695CHS016 universal controller bases. The RX3i catalog specifically classifies IC694CHS392 as a serial 10-slot expansion base with serial-bus-only support.
Product Introduction
The GE Fanuc IC694CHS392 is a 10-slot expansion baseplate used with the PACSystems RX3i control platform. Its primary job is to provide the electrical backplane and mechanical mounting positions required for additional RX3i I/O modules. Unlike an RX3i universal baseplate, it is designed for the high-speed serial backplane architecture rather than the PCI/serial architecture used by the main universal bases.
For an existing RX3i installation, the IC694CHS392 is useful when the controller rack does not provide enough local I/O positions. The expansion base connects through the serial expansion bus, with the documented maximum expansion cable length of 15 m (50 ft). The baseplate itself consumes approximately 150 mA from the 5 VDC backplane supply.
IC694CHS392
Application Scenarios & Field Pitfalls — Engineer’s Perspective
Engineering Pain Point
A failed can initially look like an I/O module or communication problem because every module installed on the expansion rack depends on the backplane for power distribution and serial-bus communication. If multiple modules disappear simultaneously, the baseplate, power supply, expansion cable, or bus configuration should be investigated before replacing individual I/O cards.
Typical Applications
- PACSystems RX3i I/O expansion racks
- Large discrete and analog I/O installations
- RX3i systems requiring additional standard I/O positions
- Machine and process-control panels using serial expansion architecture
Technical Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not mistake for a CPU or communication module.
It is a passive/structural expansion backplane that provides module slots and the serial expansion path. The controller and I/O intelligence reside in the modules installed on the rack. - Check the power-supply position and model.
The leftmost position is reserved for an appropriate expansion power supply. Commonly documented compatible choices include IC694PWR321, IC694PWR330, and IC694PWR331. - Do not exceed the expansion cable distance.
The documented maximum is 15 m / 50 ft. Cable routing, connector condition, and shielding should be checked when an entire expansion rack intermittently disappears from the controller. - Hot swapping should not be assumed.
Available documentation specifically states that hot installation and removal are not supported on the . Maintenance should therefore follow the plant’s shutdown and isolation procedure. - Verify the architecture before substituting a universal baseplate.
The is a serial-bus-only expansion base. It should not be treated as a drop-in substitute for an RX3i universal base such as the IC695CHS012 or IC695CHS016.
Related Products
- GE Fanuc IC695CHS012 — RX3i 12-slot universal controller/I/O base supporting both PCI and serial bus architectures.
- GE Fanuc IC695CHS016 — RX3i 16-slot universal controller/I/O base with PCI and serial-bus support.
- GE Fanuc IC694CHS398 — 5-slot serial expansion base for RX3i systems.
- GE Fanuc IC693CHS393 — 10-slot remote expansion base used where a longer-distance remote arrangement is required.
- GE Fanuc IC693CHS399 — 5-slot remote expansion base.
- GE Fanuc IC694PWR321 — Standard expansion power supply option for the .
- GE Fanuc IC694PWR330 — High-capacity AC/DC-class expansion power supply option.
- GE Fanuc IC694PWR331 — 24 VDC high-capacity expansion power supply for RX3i expansion bases.
- GE Fanuc IC693CBL302 — Serial expansion cable associated with RX3i expansion-base connections; maximum documented expansion distance is 15 m / 50 ft.
Procurement Check
Before replacing a , verify:
- Exact catalog number:
- RX3i system architecture
- 10-slot requirement
- Serial-bus-only configuration
- Installed expansion power supply
- Expansion cable type and length
- 25-pin expansion connector condition
- I/O module compatibility
- Baseplate DIP-switch configuration
- Cabinet mounting arrangement
- Whether the existing system uses multiple serial expansion bases
- Physical revision and nameplate marking
Recommended procurement description:
GE Fanuc PACSystems RX3i 10-Slot Serial Expansion Baseplate, High-Speed Serial Backplane, Standard I/O Expansion Base, 25-Pin Expansion Connector, 15 m / 50 ft Maximum Expansion Distance.
The important distinction is that is the RX3i expansion backplane, not the controller itself. For a field replacement, matching the serial expansion architecture, power-supply arrangement, cable length, slot count, and physical revision is more important than simply matching the number of available slots.
