Description
DS3800HRCA1C1B: Product Overview
The DS3800HRCA1C1B is a daughterboard-grade analog input conditioner that plugs onto a motherboard carrier inside the GE Speedtronic Mark IV rack. It sits electrically between field sensors and the central CPU, converting millivolt-level signals from RTDs, pressure transducers, and position sensors into 12-bit digital words that the CPU can use for speed control, temperature limiting, and protective tripping. Because it is hardware-deterministic (no firmware), the card delivers bit-exact timing across all three legs of a TMR string, making it suitable for SIL-2 / API 670 safety loops.
The board belongs to the DS3800 family, a modular daughterboard architecture that allows hot-swap replacement without rewiring the field. Gold-plated edge fingers, conformal coat, and IEEE 344 seismic qualification ensure 25-year service life on the turbine deck.
GE DS3800HRCA1C1B
DS3800HRCA1C1B: Technical Specifications
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Model Number: DS3800HRCA1C1B
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Manufacturer: General Electric (GE)
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Product Type: Analog Input / Signal Conditioning & Isolation Board
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System Compatibility: Speedtronic Mark IV (6BA06 slot)
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Input Range: ±10 V, 0–10 V, 0–5 V, 4–20 mA (jumper-selectable per channel)
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ADC Resolution: 12-bit monotonic, ±½ LSB INL
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Sampling Rate: 100 kHz max (jumper-selectable 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz)
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Isolation: 1500 V AC channel-to-ground, 500 V channel-to-channel
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Filter: 2-pole Butterworth, 10 Hz–10 kHz jumper-selectable
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Trimmers: Offset and gain pots per channel (front-access)
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Connectors: 20-pin ribbon (field side) + VME edge fingers (back-plane side)
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Power Rails: +5 V logic, ±15 V analog, <1 W per channel
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Indicators: Green = channel active, Red = over-range / fault
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Operating Temperature: -20 °C to +70 °C; Storage: -55 °C to +125 °C
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Certifications: CE, RoHS, IEEE 344 seismic, SIL-2 suitable
Core Features & Customer Value
Deterministic, Hardware-Only Design
Because the card contains no flashable firmware, every channel responds with bit-exact timing across all three legs of a TMR string. This eliminates scan-to-scan jitter that could introduce voter disagreement, giving you SIL-2 / API 670 confidence for overspeed, over-temperature, or flame-detection loops.
Because the card contains no flashable firmware, every channel responds with bit-exact timing across all three legs of a TMR string. This eliminates scan-to-scan jitter that could introduce voter disagreement, giving you SIL-2 / API 670 confidence for overspeed, over-temperature, or flame-detection loops.
Hot-Swap Ready
The daughterboard form factor allows you to extract and insert the card while the turbine remains on-line (provided the carrier is in a TMR leg). Mean-time-to-repair is <5 minutes, so you avoid forced outages and start-up delays.
The daughterboard form factor allows you to extract and insert the card while the turbine remains on-line (provided the carrier is in a TMR leg). Mean-time-to-repair is <5 minutes, so you avoid forced outages and start-up delays.
Field-Calibratable Without Software
On-board trim pots let you adjust offset and gain on the turbine deck using only a screwdriver and a DMM. This eliminates the need for a laptop or OEM service call when you swap sensors, change cable runs, or recalibrate after a major overhaul.
On-board trim pots let you adjust offset and gain on the turbine deck using only a screwdriver and a DMM. This eliminates the need for a laptop or OEM service call when you swap sensors, change cable runs, or recalibrate after a major overhaul.
Surge-Hardened for Harsh Environments
TVS diodes on every input clamp >500 V spikes from lightning, VFD switching, or exciter flash-over. The 1500 V galvanic isolation barrier prevents ground-fault currents from propagating into the low-voltage CPU domain, extending card life beyond 25 years in coal-dust, salt-fog, or high-vibration sites.
TVS diodes on every input clamp >500 V spikes from lightning, VFD switching, or exciter flash-over. The 1500 V galvanic isolation barrier prevents ground-fault currents from propagating into the low-voltage CPU domain, extending card life beyond 25 years in coal-dust, salt-fog, or high-vibration sites.
GE DS3800HRCA1C1B
Typical Applications
Gas Turbine Bearing & Combustor Monitoring
In large combined-cycle plants, DS3800HRCA1C1B is widely used to condition bearing-metal RTDs and combustion-can pressure transmitters. The 12-bit resolution and <5 µs settling time allow the CPU to detect sub-degree temperature rises or millisecond pressure transients that precede a flame-out, enabling predictive shutdowns that avoid thermal damage.
In large combined-cycle plants, DS3800HRCA1C1B is widely used to condition bearing-metal RTDs and combustion-can pressure transmitters. The 12-bit resolution and <5 µs settling time allow the CPU to detect sub-degree temperature rises or millisecond pressure transients that precede a flame-out, enabling predictive shutdowns that avoid thermal damage.
Steam Turbine Governor & Extraction Control
The card’s 4–20 mA capability makes it the preferred interface for steam-valve position LVDTs and exhaust-pressure transmitters. During load ramps, the deterministic 100 kHz update rate prevents valve dither, extending servo life beyond 100 000 cycles while maintaining ±0.1 % pressure control accuracy.
The card’s 4–20 mA capability makes it the preferred interface for steam-valve position LVDTs and exhaust-pressure transmitters. During load ramps, the deterministic 100 kHz update rate prevents valve dither, extending servo life beyond 100 000 cycles while maintaining ±0.1 % pressure control accuracy.
Island-Mode & Black-Start Sites
On offshore platforms or remote peaking plants, the card’s –20 °C rating and conformal coat allow it to run without HVAC. Battery-backed operation is supported because the card draws <1 W and continues to deliver accurate readings when external transmitters are powered from station DC.
On offshore platforms or remote peaking plants, the card’s –20 °C rating and conformal coat allow it to run without HVAC. Battery-backed operation is supported because the card draws <1 W and continues to deliver accurate readings when external transmitters are powered from station DC.
