Description
Key Technical Specifications
-
Model Number: IS420ESWBH3A
-
Manufacturer: General Electric (GE)
-
Copper Ports: 16 × 10/100Base-TX RJ45, auto-MDIX, full/half duplex
-
Fiber Ports: None (copper-only variant)
-
Data Rate: 10/100 Mbps auto-negotiate, 256 KB buffer, 4 K MAC table
-
Network Protocol: IONet (GE deterministic Ethernet), 802.3 / 802.3u / 802.3x
-
Power Supply: 24 VDC (20-32 V) redundant inputs, diode-OR’d, < 15 W typical
-
Operating Temperature: –40 °C…+70 °C
-
Protection Degree: IP20 (housing), convection cooled
-
Dimensions: 188 × 86 × 56 mm, 1.05 kg
-
Mounting: DIN-rail (clips 259B2451BVP1/BVP4) or panel
-
Indicators: LEDs for power, link, activity, duplex, speed per port
GE IS420ESWBH3A
Field Application & Problem Solved
Gas-turbine auxiliary cabinets often live in 60 °C ambient and have no fiber run inside the T-52 enclosure. The IS420ESWBH3A bolts to the DIN rail—16 copper ports feed local I/O packs while the redundant 24 V inputs ride separate battery strings. Because it’s copper-only you don’t need to stock fiber patch cords or clean kits; if a cable gets crushed you crimp a new RJ45 and you’re back online. I’ve used these on 7FA combined-cycle units: the switch keeps IONet jitter below 1 µs, so the triple-redundant controllers stay phase-locked during a load-rejection test. Value: one rail-mounted box gives you a deterministic LAN without fiber maintenance headaches and still meets SIL 2/3 fault-tolerant requirements.
Gas-turbine auxiliary cabinets often live in 60 °C ambient and have no fiber run inside the T-52 enclosure. The IS420ESWBH3A bolts to the DIN rail—16 copper ports feed local I/O packs while the redundant 24 V inputs ride separate battery strings. Because it’s copper-only you don’t need to stock fiber patch cords or clean kits; if a cable gets crushed you crimp a new RJ45 and you’re back online. I’ve used these on 7FA combined-cycle units: the switch keeps IONet jitter below 1 µs, so the triple-redundant controllers stay phase-locked during a load-rejection test. Value: one rail-mounted box gives you a deterministic LAN without fiber maintenance headaches and still meets SIL 2/3 fault-tolerant requirements.
Installation & Maintenance Pitfalls (Expert Tips)
Brown-out lock-up – If 24 V sags to 18-20 V but never hits zero the switch can freeze with solid LEDs; cycle power or IONet never returns
Brown-out lock-up – If 24 V sags to 18-20 V but never hits zero the switch can freeze with solid LEDs; cycle power or IONet never returns
.
Port #15-16 mirror default – Factory config mirrors port 1 to the last ports. Plug a laptop there and you’ll flood the network—disable mirror in ToolboxST before go-live
.
RJ45 retention – Copper-only means 200-insert cycles. After a dozen maintenance moves the clip weakens and vibration walks the plug out; use booted cables and strap the slack to the rail.
Heat-sink side clearance – Convection cooled housing runs 15 °C above ambient if you block the sides. Leave 50 mm free air or the internal sensor throttles switch-fabric speed and you’ll see 3 % packet loss under burst load .
GE IS420ESWBH3A
Technical Deep Dive & Overview
Internally the IS420ESWBH3A is a store-and-forward ASIC bolted to an ARM management CPU. The ASIC gives each port a 256 KB buffer and handles IONet multicast in cut-through mode, while the CPU runs a lightweight web page for port stats. IEEE 1588 timestamping is done in hardware—every egress frame gets a 64-bit nanosecond stamp so Mark VIe controllers stay within ±100 µs over copper. Redundant 24 V inputs use MOSFET ideal-diodes for < 1 ms switch-over; lose both feeds and the switch keeps MAC table alive for 5 ms on internal hold-up caps, preventing IONet re-convergence. No fans, no fiber—just a 1 kg block you can swap hot if you secure the fiber loop elsewhere.
Internally the IS420ESWBH3A is a store-and-forward ASIC bolted to an ARM management CPU. The ASIC gives each port a 256 KB buffer and handles IONet multicast in cut-through mode, while the CPU runs a lightweight web page for port stats. IEEE 1588 timestamping is done in hardware—every egress frame gets a 64-bit nanosecond stamp so Mark VIe controllers stay within ±100 µs over copper. Redundant 24 V inputs use MOSFET ideal-diodes for < 1 ms switch-over; lose both feeds and the switch keeps MAC table alive for 5 ms on internal hold-up caps, preventing IONet re-convergence. No fans, no fiber—just a 1 kg block you can swap hot if you secure the fiber loop elsewhere.
