Description

Professional Product Description: GE IC693PCM311LT Extended-Temperature Communication Module (90-30 PLC Series)

Detailed Parameter Table

GE DS200DCFBG1B

Product introduction

GE IC693PCM311LT is a rugged, extended-temperature communication module engineered for GE’s 90-30 PLC series, designed to enable reliable serial communication in extreme thermal environments where standard 90-30 communication modules (e.g., IC693TCM302) fail. Unlike conventional modules limited to 0°C–60°C, GE IC693PCM311LT thrives in -40°C to +75°C conditions, making it ideal for outdoor installations, unconditioned cabinets, or harsh industrial settings like mining, oil fields, and Arctic logistics hubs.

In industrial automation, GE IC693PCM311LT acts as the “temperature-resistant communication gateway” for 90-30 PLCs, linking the PLC to remote serial devices (e.g., temperature sensors, SCADA systems) in extreme heat or cold. For example, in an Arctic oil pipeline monitoring system, GE IC693PCM311LT connects a GE IC693CPU363LT PLC to 16 remote pressure sensors (via RS-485, 800m distance) and a local HMI (via RS-232). The module transmits sensor data (e.g., pipeline pressure, ambient temperature) to the PLC in -35°C conditions, ensuring the pipeline’s leak-detection system operates without communication interruptions.

What defines GE IC693PCM311LT is its balance of harsh-environment resilience and communication versatility: it retains core serial protocol support while adding extreme-temperature components (e.g., wide-range capacitors, heat-resistant connectors) and 2000-hour salt-spray coating. This makes it a critical upgrade for legacy 90-30 systems in industries where temperature extremes and environmental corrosion threaten communication reliability.

Core advantages and technical highlights

-40°C to +75°C Operating Range for Extreme Environments: GE IC693PCM311LT uses military-grade components rated to -40°C, eliminating the need for heater kits or climate-controlled cabinets in cold regions. A mining operation in Siberia replaced standard 90-30 communication modules (which failed at -25°C) with GE IC693PCM311LT in its outdoor conveyor control system. The module operated reliably through winter temperatures as low as -38°C, avoiding 20+ hours of annual downtime caused by communication failures—saving $45,000 annually in lost production.

2000-Hour Salt-Spray Coating for Corrosion Resistance: Unlike standard modules (1000-hour salt-spray rating), GE IC693PCM311LT’s heavy-duty conformal coating withstands coastal or chemical-rich environments. A coastal desalination plant installed the module in its outdoor pump control cabinet, where salt-laden sea air had previously corroded standard modules every 18 months. GE IC693PCM311LT operated for 5 years without corrosion, cutting replacement costs by 65% and reducing maintenance visits.

RS-485 Bus Isolation for Network Protection: The module includes RS-485 bus short-circuit isolation, preventing a single faulty node from shutting down the entire network. In a desert solar farm, a rodent-chewed RS-485 cable caused a bus short—GE IC693PCM311LT isolated the faulty sensor, keeping the remaining 24 solar inverter monitors operational. This prevented a 3-hour farm shutdown, avoiding $12,000 in lost energy production.

Seamless Compatibility with 90-30 Ecosystem: GE IC693PCM311LT works with all 90-30 CPUs (e.g., GE IC693CPU363LT) and I/O modules, and uses the same Logicmaster 90-30 software as standard modules. A food processing plant upgrading its freezer control system simply swapped its existing IC693TCM302 with GE IC693PCM311LT—no reconfiguration of the PLC or remote sensors was needed. The upgrade took 45 minutes, avoiding a 2-hour freezer defrost cycle that would have cost $8,000 in wasted inventory.

Typical application scenarios

GE IC693PCM311LT is widely used in oil & gas exploration, such as a remote offshore wellhead monitoring system. The module connects a GE IC693CPU363LT PLC (housed in a weatherproof cabinet) to two networks:

RS-485 port: Links to 12 downhole pressure/temperature sensors (800m from the PLC, -20°C to +70°C operating range).

RS-232 port: Connects to a satellite modem for transmitting data to an onshore SCADA system.

During a summer storm, ambient temperature in the cabinet reached +72°C—within GE IC693PCM311LT’s operating range. The module continued transmitting sensor data, allowing onshore operators to detect a minor pressure leak and dispatch a repair team before it escalated. The module’s salt-spray coating also withstood offshore humidity and salt, operating reliably for 3+ years.

Another key application is cold-chain logistics, such as a frozen food warehouse’s temperature monitoring system. GE IC693PCM311LT connects a 90-30 PLC to 18 RS-485 temperature sensors (placed in freezer zones, -35°C) and a local RS-232 HMI. The module transmits sensor data to the PLC every 500ms, triggering alarms if temperatures exceed -18°C. Its -40°C operating range ensures no communication loss during freezer defrost cycles, protecting $500,000 worth of inventory.

GE DS200DCFBG1B

Related model recommendations

GE IC693TCM302: Standard-temperature variant of GE IC693PCM311LT (0°C–60°C); ideal for indoor, climate-controlled environments where extreme temperatures are not a concern.

GE IC693CPU363LT: Extended-temperature 90-30 CPU paired with GE IC693PCM311LT; creates a fully temperature-resistant control system for harsh environments.

GE IC693PTM100CA: RTD temperature module integrated with GE IC693PCM311LT; sends extreme-temperature sensor data (e.g., -200°C to +850°C) to the PLC via serial communication.

GE IC693ACC310: RS-485 termination resistor kit for GE IC693PCM311LT; ensures signal integrity for long-distance (up to 1200m) RS-485 networks.

GE Logicmaster 90-30 v5.5: Programming software for GE IC693PCM311LT; configures port settings, monitors serial traffic, and troubleshoots communication errors.

GE IC693PWR321: 90-30 power supply module; provides stable 5V DC to GE IC693PCM311LT in high-temperature cabinets (up to +75°C).

GE RS-485 Repeater (IC693RCM302): Extends GE IC693PCM311LT’s RS-485 range beyond 1200m; ideal for large-scale harsh-environment systems (e.g., oil pipelines).

GE High-Temp Serial Cable (IC693CBL306): Shielded RS-485 cable rated to -40°C to +80°C; paired with GE IC693PCM311LT for extreme-temperature installations.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation Preparation

Before installing GE IC693PCM311LT, confirm compatibility with the 90-30 CPU (e.g., GE IC693CPU363LT) and backplane revision (rev. 2.0+). Ensure the environment meets -40°C to +75°C and 5%–95% RH (non-condensing). Required tools: torque screwdriver (0.4–0.6 N·m), wire strippers (22–18 AWG), ESD-safe gloves, precision multimeter, and Logicmaster 90-30 v5.5+. Safety precautions: Power off the 90-30 system and apply lockout/tagout; label existing wiring to avoid confusion.

Installation Process

Align GE IC693PCM311LT with an empty 90-30 backplane slot, engage the connector, and secure with M3 screws (torque to 0.5 N·m). Connect serial devices: for RS-485, wire to “A”, “B”, and “GND” (install 120Ω resistor at the farthest node); for RS-232, connect to “TX”, “RX”, “RTS”, “CTS”, and “GND”. Use high-temperature shielded cable (e.g., IC693CBL306) for extreme environments to avoid cable degradation.

Commissioning

Power on the system; use Logicmaster 90-30 to detect the module and configure port settings: set Protocol (e.g., Modbus RTU Master), Baud Rate (115200 bps recommended), Parity (Even), and Data/Stop Bits (8/1). Test communication by sending a Modbus read command to a remote sensor—verify data reception in the PLC (latency should be <10ms). For RS-485, test multi-drop functionality by polling all 32 nodes sequentially; confirm no data loss.

Maintenance Suggestions

For daily operation, monitor GE IC693PCM311LT’s status LEDs (green = normal, red = communication fault, amber = low power) via the HMI. Every 12 months, inspect the module for corrosion (clean with a dry brass brush if needed) and retighten terminal block connections (torque to 0.4 N·m). Test ESD protection annually using an ESD gun (±15kV contact discharge)—confirm no communication interruptions. Replace the module’s conformal coating every 3 years (using GE-approved coating) for coastal or chemical environments. If a fault occurs, use Logicmaster 90-30’s serial traffic logger to isolate issues; replace with a GE-approved spare—third-party modules may lack extreme-temperature components.

Service and guarantee commitment

GE IC693PCM311LT is backed by a 48-month manufacturer’s warranty from GE—twice the length of standard 90-30 communication modules—covering defects in materials, workmanship, and extreme-temperature performance (per UL 508C and ATEX standards). For customers in critical harsh environments (e.g., oil & gas, Arctic logistics), GE offers a “harsh-environment support program”: replacement modules are shipped within 24 hours, and technical specialists provide remote troubleshooting for temperature-related communication issues.

GE provides free access to GE IC693PCM311LT’s technical manual (including extreme-temperature installation guidelines and corrosion prevention tips) for 36 months post-purchase. Customers also receive complimentary updates to Logicmaster 90-30’s diagnostic tools for cold/hot environment debugging. For complex installations, GE offers optional on-site commissioning—verifying communication at -40°C and +75°C, and training staff on harsh-environment maintenance—ensuring the module delivers reliable communication for 90-30 PLC systems in extreme conditions.