Description
GE Fanuc IC698CRE030 | RX7i Redundancy CPU | 600 MHz PACSystems Controller
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | GE Fanuc / GE Intelligent Platforms |
| Catalog Number | IC698CRE030 |
| Product Family | PACSystems RX7i |
| Product Type | Redundancy CPU |
| Processor | 600 MHz Pentium-M |
| User Memory | 64 MB battery-backed RAM |
| User Flash | 64 MB nonvolatile flash |
| CPU Redundancy | Hot Standby |
| Backplane | VME64 |
| Ethernet | Embedded Ethernet interface |
| Serial Interfaces | 3 isolated serial ports |
| Serial Protocols | SNP/SNP-X, Serial I/O, Modbus RTU slave |
| EGD | Supported |
| 5 VDC Current | 3.2 A nominal |
| +12 VDC Current | 0.003 A nominal |
| −12 VDC Current | 0.003 A nominal |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 50°C |
| Programming Languages | Ladder Diagram, Function Block Diagram, Structured Text, C |
GE’s RX7i documentation identifies IC698CRE030 as the 600 MHz Pentium-M member of the RX7i redundancy CPU family, with 64 MB user memory. The CPU communicates with I/O and intelligent option modules through the VME64 rack backplane and provides Ethernet and serial connectivity for programming, HMI, and control-system communications.
Product Introduction
The GE Fanuc IC698CRE030 is a central processing unit for the PACSystems RX7i platform, designed for applications where controller availability and CPU redundancy are important. The CRE030 combines a 600 MHz Pentium-M processor with 64 MB of battery-backed user memory and 64 MB of nonvolatile flash memory.
Unlike the similarly numbered IC698CPE030, the CRE030 belongs to the RX7i redundancy CPU family. Its Hot Standby architecture allows a redundant CPU arrangement to be used for applications where loss of a single controller should not immediately interrupt the control process.
IC698CRE030
Application Scenarios & Field Pitfalls — Engineer’s Perspective
Engineering Pain Point
The main replacement risk is confusing the CRE030 redundancy CPU with the CPE030 standard CPU. They share the same 600 MHz Pentium-M processor and 64 MB memory class, but the CRE030 is specifically intended for redundant RX7i control architectures.
Typical Applications
- PACSystems RX7i redundant PLC systems
- Process-control systems requiring CPU Hot Standby
- Large machine-control installations using VME64-based RX7i racks
- Systems using Ethernet Global Data and embedded Ethernet communications
Technical Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not substitute CPE030 for CRE030 without checking the architecture.
The IC698CPE030 is a standard RX7i CPU, whereas IC698CRE030 is the redundancy CPU. A physically similar CPU does not automatically provide equivalent redundancy functionality. - Check the firmware revision carefully.
The CRE030 existed across multiple hardware/firmware revisions. Published revision tables show different CPU and Ethernet firmware versions across suffix/date-code revisions, so a replacement should be compared against the running controller before commissioning. - Preserve the application and redundancy configuration.
The CPU stores program, configuration, register data, and symbolic-variable information in its memory architecture. When replacing a CPU, verify the application backup, configuration, firmware compatibility, and redundancy parameters rather than treating the replacement as a simple hardware swap. - Check the battery-backed memory condition.
The 64 MB user-memory area is battery-backed. For long-stored or surplus CPUs, inspect the battery condition before placing the unit into a running control system. - Verify the rack and option-module architecture.
RX7i I/O and intelligent option modules communicate through the rack-mounted VME64 backplane. The CPU therefore needs to be evaluated as part of the complete RX7i rack configuration, not as a standalone PLC processor.
Related Products
- IC698CPE030 — Standard RX7i 600 MHz Pentium-M CPU with 64 MB memory; similar processing class but without the redundancy designation.
- IC698CRE020 — Earlier RX7i redundancy CPU using a 700 MHz Pentium processor and 10 MB user memory.
- IC698CRE040 — Higher-performance RX7i redundancy CPU using an 1800 MHz Pentium-M processor and 64 MB memory.
- IC698CPE040 — Standard RX7i 1800 MHz Pentium-M CPU with 64 MB memory.
- IC698CHS017 — RX7i rack/chassis hardware used to house CPU and option modules.
- IC698CHS009 — RX7i rack assembly associated with the RX7i controller platform.
- IC698ETM001 — RX7i Ethernet peripheral module for applications requiring additional Ethernet functionality.
- IC698PSA350 — RX7i power-supply family component; power-supply selection must match the rack and system load.
- IC698ACC701 — RX7i CPU battery/accessory family component relevant to memory retention.
Procurement & Replacement Check
Before approving a GE Fanuc IC698CRE030, verify:
- Exact catalog number:
- RX7i platform
- CRE/redundancy designation
- Processor: 600 MHz Pentium-M
- 64 MB user RAM
- 64 MB user flash
- Current firmware revision
- Ethernet firmware compatibility
- Battery condition
- Existing redundancy architecture
- RX7i rack/backplane
- Installed I/O and VME option modules
- Application program and hardware configuration backup
- EGD configuration, if used
- Serial-port configuration
- CPU revision/date code
Recommended procurement description:
GE Fanuc PACSystems RX7i Redundancy CPU, 600 MHz Pentium-M, 64 MB User Memory, 64 MB Flash, Embedded Ethernet, Three Serial Ports, Hot Standby CPU Redundancy.
The important distinction is versus CPE030. Both are 600 MHz RX7i CPUs with 64 MB memory, but is the redundancy CPU. For an operating plant, the existing redundancy configuration and firmware revision should be treated as part of the replacement specification, not as optional details.
