Description
Hard-Numbers: Technical Specifications
- Input Voltage: 24 VDC (charged from the RX3i backplane) .
- Output Power: 72 Watts SELV .
- Capacitor Life Expectancy: Approximately 5 years (service life) .
- Operating Temperature: 0°C to +60°C .
- Dimensions: 140 mm H × 124 mm D × 25.4 mm W (including brackets) .
- Weight: 0.7 kg (1.54 lbs) .
- Connection Cable: IC695CBL003 (6-meter dedicated cable) .
- Mounting: Standard DIN rail (EN50022) .
- Wire Gauge Requirement: 18 AWG copper for frame grounding .
- Environmental Rating: Class I Division 2 compliant for hazardous locations .
- Certifications: cULus, CE, RoHS compliant .
- Compatible CPUs: IC695CPE400 and IC695CPL410 only .
GE IC695ACC400
The Real-World Problem It Solves
A sudden loss of 24VDC control power wipes the CPU’s volatile memory—active recipes, machine states, production counters—forcing a complete program reload and hours of system re-initialization. This capacitor pack provides the critical seconds needed for an orderly data save.
Where you’ll typically find it:
- Continuous Process Lines: In chemical or pharmaceutical batch control, where losing the active recipe parameters means scrapping an entire production run.
- Remote Critical Infrastructure: On compressor stations or pipeline SCADA systems where a memory loss could cause an unsafe restart condition after a grid fluctuation.
- High-Availability Manufacturing: On automotive or packaging lines where production counters and machine sequence data must be preserved across brief power glitches to maintain Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) tracking.
It trades the periodic cost and labor of battery replacement for a set-it-and-forget-it capacitor with a defined service life.
Hardware Architecture & Under-the-Hood Logic
This is a managed two-part system: a base unit that mounts to the DIN rail and a removable “Cap Pack” module containing the capacitor bank and control circuitry. It’s an active holdup device, not passive storage.
- Continuous Charging: While system power is present, the module draws current from the 24VDC backplane via the dedicated cable to keep its internal capacitor bank fully charged .
- Status Communication & Monitoring: The cable carries bidirectional communication. The onboard circuit monitors charge state, capacitance, and health, reporting status (Charging, Ready, Low Capacitance, Fault) to the CPU for LED indication and diagnostic messaging .
- Instantaneous Failover: The circuitry continuously samples the input voltage. Upon detecting a drop below the backup trip threshold, it instantly switches the CPU’s memory backup rail to draw from the charged capacitors .
- Controlled Discharge: The capacitor bank is sized to deliver enough energy—typically for just tens of seconds—to power the CPU solely for the critical task of writing its volatile RAM contents to internal flash memory before a complete shutdown .
GE IC695ACC400
Field Service Pitfalls: What Rookies Get Wrong
Assuming Broad RX3i Compatibility
The most costly assumption is that this “energy pack” works with any RX3i CPU. It is hardwired for the CPE400 and CPL410 only. The connector and communication protocol are unique to these models .
- Field Rule: Check the CPU’s front label. If it’s not a CPE400 or CPL410, this is the wrong part. Other CPUs like the CPE330 require the IC695ACC402.
Cramming it into a Tight Corner for “Neatness”
Techs often mount it directly next to the power supply or CPU to save space. The plastic housing traps heat, which accelerates capacitor aging and can slash the 5-year lifespan in half.
- Quick Fix: Maintain at least 25 mm (1 inch) of clearance on all sides of the module, especially above and below, for passive convection cooling. Mount it on a separate DIN rail segment if necessary.
Misinterpreting the LED Sequence During Commissioning
After installing a new unit or following a prolonged outage, the STATUS LED may remain solid amber for several minutes during the initial charge cycle. Rookies see this and immediately fault the module or CPU .
- Field Rule: On first power-up, a solid amber LED for 2-5 minutes is normal while the capacitors charge. Only declare a fault if the LED remains amber after 10 minutes of stable input power or flashes a specific error pattern.
Forgetting the 5-Year Calendar Replacement
Unlike a battery whose voltage gradually declines, a capacitor pack often functions perfectly until its capacitance drops below a critical threshold, at which point retention time plummets to zero almost instantly.
- Field Rule: Write the installation date on the module with a permanent marker. Schedule a proactive replacement of the capacitor pack at the 4-year mark, regardless of LED status, to avoid a surprise failure during the next outage.
Please note: The listed price is for reference only and is not binding. Final pricing and terms are subject to negotiation based on current market conditions and availability.
