Description
Key Technical Specifications
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Model Number: IS420ESWBH2A
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Manufacturer: General Electric (GE)
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Copper Ports: 14 × 10/100Base-TX RJ45, auto-MDIX, full/half duplex
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Fiber Ports: 2 × 100Base-FX multi-mode LC, 2 km reach
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Data Rate: 10/100 Mbps auto-negotiate, 256 KB buffer, 4 K MAC table
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Network Protocol: IONet (GE deterministic Ethernet), IEEE 802.3 / 802.3u / 802.3x
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Power Supply: 24 VDC (20-32 V) redundant inputs, diode-OR’d, 1 A max
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Operating Temperature: –40 °C…+70 °C
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Storage Temperature: –40 °C…+85 °C
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Protection Degree: IP20 (housing), IP65 front per some listings
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Dimensions: 188 × 86 × 56 mm (7.40 × 3.40 × 2.20 in)
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Weight: 1.05 kg (2 lb 5 oz)
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Mounting: DIN-rail (clip ordered separately) or panel
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HazLoc Rating: Class 2 Zone 2 / Class 1 Div 2 / ATEX
GE IS420ESWBH2A
Field Application & Problem Solved
Gas-turbine auxiliary skids need a switch that survives 65 °C inside a T-52 cabinet and still keeps IONet traffic moving when a copper cable gets crushed. The IS420ESWBH2A bolts to the DIN rail—14 copper ports feed local I/O packs, the dual 100-FX uplinks ride fiber back to the control house, and redundant 24 V inputs keep the network alive if one battery string sags. I’ve used these on 7FA combined-cycle units: the switch logs < 1 µs jitter on IEEE 1588, so the triple-redundant controllers stay phase-locked during a transfer-trip test. Value: one rail-mounted box replaces two commercial switches plus a media converter, and you still meet SIL 2/3 fault-tolerant requirements without managed-switch fluff.
Gas-turbine auxiliary skids need a switch that survives 65 °C inside a T-52 cabinet and still keeps IONet traffic moving when a copper cable gets crushed. The IS420ESWBH2A bolts to the DIN rail—14 copper ports feed local I/O packs, the dual 100-FX uplinks ride fiber back to the control house, and redundant 24 V inputs keep the network alive if one battery string sags. I’ve used these on 7FA combined-cycle units: the switch logs < 1 µs jitter on IEEE 1588, so the triple-redundant controllers stay phase-locked during a transfer-trip test. Value: one rail-mounted box replaces two commercial switches plus a media converter, and you still meet SIL 2/3 fault-tolerant requirements without managed-switch fluff.
Installation & Maintenance Pitfalls (Expert Tips)
Brown-out lock-up – If 24 V sags to 18-20 V but doesn’t hit zero the switch may stay frozen (solid LEDs). Cycle power or the IONet never comes back
Brown-out lock-up – If 24 V sags to 18-20 V but doesn’t hit zero the switch may stay frozen (solid LEDs). Cycle power or the IONet never comes back
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Fiber-end cleanliness – 100-FX will flap if the LC ferrule has dust. Swab with alcohol and inspect with a 400× scope before you click it in.
Copper port #15-16 mirror default – Factory config mirrors port 1 to the last ports. If you plug a laptop there you’ll flood the network—disable mirror in ToolboxST before go-live.
DIN-rail real-estate – The housing runs warm; leave one empty slot on each side or the internal temp sensor hits 75 °C and throttles switch-fabric speed, giving you 3 % packet loss under burst load.
GE IS420ESWBH2A
Technical Deep Dive & Overview
Inside the IS420ESWBH2A is a store-and-forward switch ASIC bolted to an ARM management CPU. The ASIC handles cut-through for IONet multicast frames while the CPU runs a lightweight web server for port stats. IEEE 1588 timestamping is done in hardware—each egress frame gets a 64-bit nanosecond stamp, letting the Mark VIe controllers synchronize within 100 µs over copper or fiber. Redundant power inputs are diode-OR’d with MOSFET ideal-diodes so switch-over is < 1 ms; if both feeds drop the switch keeps its MAC table for 5 ms on internal hold-up caps, preventing IONet re-convergence. No fans, no battery—just a 1 kg block you can swap hot if you tie-wrap the fiber loop first.
Inside the IS420ESWBH2A is a store-and-forward switch ASIC bolted to an ARM management CPU. The ASIC handles cut-through for IONet multicast frames while the CPU runs a lightweight web server for port stats. IEEE 1588 timestamping is done in hardware—each egress frame gets a 64-bit nanosecond stamp, letting the Mark VIe controllers synchronize within 100 µs over copper or fiber. Redundant power inputs are diode-OR’d with MOSFET ideal-diodes so switch-over is < 1 ms; if both feeds drop the switch keeps its MAC table for 5 ms on internal hold-up caps, preventing IONet re-convergence. No fans, no battery—just a 1 kg block you can swap hot if you tie-wrap the fiber loop first.
