GE Fanuc IC697BEM733 Series 90-70 Genius Remote I/O Scanner Module

GE Fanuc IC697BEM733 Series 90-70 Genius Remote I/O Scanner Module

The IC697BEM733 is an advanced Genius Remote I/O Scanner module engineered for the Series 90-70 Programmable Logic Controller system, originally developed by GE Fanuc and currently supported under Emerson Automation. This robust communication interface module establishes reliable distributed I/O architectures across industrial plant floors. It links host controllers with remote drop systems over extended distances up to 7,500 feet (2,275 meters).

Engineered for demanding industrial environments, the IC697BEM733 supports complex configurations of discrete and analog signals. It features dedicated ports for programming, monitoring, and network expansion, ensuring seamless integration into legacy automation setups while maintaining high diagnostic visibility through onboard status indicators.

MECE Technical Specifications

• Brand: GE Fanuc / Emerson Automation
• Series: Series 90-70
• Model / Part Number: IC697BEM733
• Product Description: Genius Remote I/O Scanner Module
• Module Type: Communication and distributed I/O interface
• Physical Slot Width: Single slot in an IC697 PLC rack
• Backplane Power Consumption: 800 mA at 5VDC (1.3 Amps backplane current rating)
• Operating Voltage: 5.0 Volts DC
• Communication Ports: One 15-pin RS-422/485 serial port, one 9-pin IC66* handheld monitor port, and dedicated IC66* bus terminals supporting redundancy
• Supported Data Rates & Drop Capacities:
  • 153.6K baud extended: Up to 20 fully-loaded drops, or up to 30 drops if not fully-loaded
  • 76.8K baud: Up to 10 fully-loaded drops, or up to 30 drops if not fully-loaded
  • 38.4K baud: Supports up to 16 devices per bus
• I/O Capacity: Up to 1024 discrete inputs, 1024 discrete outputs, 64 analog input words, and 64 analog output words
• Maximum Bus Length: 7,500 feet (2,275 meters) at 38.4K baud; 3,500 feet (1,060 meters) at 153.6K extended
• Bus Termination Values: 75, 100, 120, or 150 Ohms at both electrical cable ends
• Diagnostic Indicators: Module OK, I/O Enabled, and Bus Active LED indicators
• Average Weight: 2.0 Pounds
• Product Lifecycle Status: Mature industrial automation hardware

Installation & Commissioning Guide

• Power down the Series 90-70 rack before inserting or removing the IC697BEM733 module.
• Slide the module firmly into any available single slot within the main or remote IC697 PLC rack.
• Connect the shielded twisted pair or Twinax bus cable to the appropriate terminal blocks, ensuring proper polarity.
• Install matching 75, 100, 120, or 150-Ohm terminating resistors at both physical ends of the communication bus.
• Verify network baud rate jumpers and software configuration settings match connected drop devices.
• Power up the system and verify that the Module OK and Bus Active LEDs illuminate steadily.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting Efficiency

• Monitor the onboard LED status lights for immediate fault identification during runtime operations.
• Utilize an IC66* handheld monitor connected directly to the 9-pin front port to isolate communication drop errors.
• Inspect serial connections and shield grounding periodically to prevent electromagnetic interference in noisy environments.
• Review PLC diagnostic registers via programming software to track transient bus dropouts or configuration mismatches.

Compatibility & System Integration

• PLC Platforms: Fully compatible with Series 90-70 systems, IC660 programmable logic controllers, and IC655 controllers.
• Software Requirements: Requires MS-DOS programming software release 3.0 or later and CPU firmware release 2.0 or later for IC697 setups.
• Third-Party Integration: Supports host computers equipped with Personal Computer Interface Module (PCIM) or Q-bus Interface Module (QBIM) cards.
• Handheld Devices: Compatible with version 4.0 or later Hand Held Monitors (catalog number IC660HHM501G).

Certification, Logistics & Warranty

• Quality Assurance: Rigorously tested hardware backed by a comprehensive 12-month replacement warranty.
• Shipping Carriers: Expedited global dispatch via FedEx, UPS, and DHL.
• Dispatch Window: Guaranteed processing and dispatch within 24 to 48 hours from order confirmation.
• Standard Packaging: Anti-static bubble wrapping enclosed in heavy-duty industrial cardboard boxes for safe transit.

Typical Industrial Application Scenarios

• Large-scale discrete manufacturing plants requiring distributed control over wide physical areas.
• Water and wastewater treatment facilities utilizing remote pump station telemetry networks.
• Power generation plants integrating legacy industrial automation nodes with centralized control rooms.
• Material handling systems needing high-speed communication across multiple production line drops.

Global PLC Spare HUB's Insight & Field Experience

Industrial automation engineers managing legacy Series 90-70 architectures frequently encounter communication dropouts caused by improper bus termination or degraded cable shielding. In high-noise environments near heavy variable frequency drives, field technicians should ensure that the bus cable shield is grounded at a single point only.

For example, a mid-sized automotive stamping facility experienced intermittent bus faults on an IC697BEM733 network spanning 4,000 feet. Field analysis revealed that technicians had installed mismatched 120-Ohm resistors on a line configured for extended 153.6K baud operations using standard twinax cabling. Replacing the termination blocks with correct 100-Ohm resistors and verifying backplane power distribution immediately stabilized packet transmission and eliminated drop timeout errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I check first if the Bus Active LED remains unlit on the IC697BEM733?

Verify that both ends of the communication bus feature correct matching terminating resistors and check physical cable continuity.

Can the IC697BEM733 module be hot-swapped in an active PLC rack?

No, you must remove power from the IC697 rack before inserting or extracting communication modules to prevent backplane damage.

What causes communication lag in extended remote drop configurations?

Exceeding maximum specified cable lengths for specific baud rates or encountering excessive electromagnetic interference along unshielded cable runs.

How do I select the correct baud rate for my application setup?

Balance your physical distance requirements against data throughput needs; use lower baud rates like 38.4K for maximum distances up to 7,500 feet.

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