RX7i Selection Guide
RX7i is the earliest member of the groundbreaking GE PACSystems—a family of Programmable Automation Controllers (PACs) produced by GE Intelligent Platforms. It is built on a conventional embedded open architecture that features a universal programming environment and a single control engine.
In addition, the RX7i GE PACSystem integrates advanced control technology that is compatible with existing GE Fanuc control systems. This in combination with the universal programming environment provides application portability across various hardware platforms, creating a seamless migration path that saves your investment in application development and I/O configuration. Also, the single control engine feature delivers a true convergence of control solutions.
GE PACSystems modules are designed to address medium to high-end control applications for system integrators, end-users, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). The RX7i PACSystem is well-suited for integrated industrial control solutions that require an open control architecture, high-performance controllers, large memory capacity, and distributed I/O. Thus, with an RX7i control system, you can address major business issues like productivity, performance, migration, flexibility, and openness, leading to improved overall profitability.
Selecting an RX7i PACSystem
The key to selecting the best RX7i PACSystem for a given application is to ensure that the components making up the RX7i control system are compatible and that they meet the requirements of your application. Thus, check the compatibility and specifications of the following:
A) RX7i CPUs
RX7i control systems are compatible with Pentium CPUs ranging from Celeron 300MHz to M- Class 1.8GHz. They can be programmed using any of the following IEC61131-3 PAC programming languages: Ladder Diagram (LD), Structured Text (ST or STX), and Function Block Diagram (FBD). RX7i CPUs can also be programmed using high-level languages like C.
Other Notable Features of RX7i CPUs Include:
- Up to 64 MBs (Megabytes) of each battery-backed user memory and non-volatile flash memory for storage of user data including register data, configuration parameters, programs, and symbolic variables.
- Fully configurable data, program, and user memory.
- Three (3) isolated serial ports, namely: (1) RS-232 port, (1) RS-485 port, and (1) RS-232 Ethernet Station Manager serial port.
- Two 10/100 Mbps Ethernet Ports with one IP address (built-in switch).
- Reference table %W for bulk memory access.
- Symbolic Variables that are auto-located and which can use any amount of flash user memory.
- Support for most existing Series 90-70 analog and discrete I/O, communication features, and other modules.
- Compatibility with all non-GE Fanuc (third-party) VME modules supported by existing Series 90-70 I/O.
- A maximum of 512 program blocks with each block having up to 128KB.
- Controller referencing using Bit-in-Word.
- Test Edit mode for performing test modifications to a running program.
- Web-based PLC data monitoring allows a combined total of up to 16 FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and web server connections.
- A calendar clock that’s battery-backed.
Compatible RX7i CPUs You can select any of the following RX7i CPUs depending on the controller requirements of your application:
- IC698CPE010: Pentium III 300MHz RX7i VME CPU
- IC698CPE020: Pentium III 700MHz RX7i VME CPU
- IC698CRE020: Pentium III 700MHz RX7i VME CPU with redundancy
- IC698CPE030: Pentium-M 600MHz RX7i VME CPU
- IC698CRE030: Pentium-M 600MHz RX7i VME CPU with redundancy
- IC698CPE040: Pentium-M 1.8GHz RX7i VME CPU
- IC698CRE040: Pentium-M Class 1.8GHz RX7i VME CPU with redundancy
B) RX7i Controller Racks
RX7i CPUs communicate with compatible I/O and smart option modules over a rack-mounted controller backplane that uses VME64 (ANSI/VITA 1) standard. The RX7i PACSystem is thus designed to support VME64 rack backplanes with ANSI/VITA 1 standard. These VME64 backplanes can be used for all the RX7i CPUs outlined above and supported I/O configurations.
The modules accommodated by RX7i controller racks include:
- Series 90-70 and RX7i Modules: These modules connect to field devices via a detachable field-wiring terminal board; with each I/O module accepting up to forty AWG (American Wire Gauge) 14-gauge wires with a cross-section of 2.10mm^2. The 14-gauge AWG wire bundle should be routed out at the bottom of the detachable terminal board cavity that includes a cleat for a tie-wrap to secure the wire bundle to the housing of the terminal board.
- VME Modules: They connect to field devices via a variety of methods.
When selecting a VME64 RX7i controller rack, check out for the following features and functionalities:
- 17 VME Front and Rear (Back) Mount Slots to support up to 17 single-width modules that require 20.3mm (0.8 inches) spacing.
- Accepts RX7i modules, compatible Series 90-70 modules, and third-party VME modules.
- Provision of slot sensing for the supported rack-based Series 90-70 I/O modules. Thus, no DIP (Dual In-Line Package) switches or jumpers are required on the I/O modules for addressing the rack-type Series 90-70 modules.
- High-speed VME data transfer rates of up to 64 bits per cycle via J2 backplane connectors.
- Up to 4 times the data transmission speed (bandwidth) of the existing Series 90-70 backplane.
- Connection to an I^2C serial cable using a 6-pin RJ-11 connector.
- Allows optional cooling using a fan assembly, which is required for some RX7i CPUs (IC698CRE020/IC698CPE020), IC698PSA350 power supply, or any single-width modules with catalog no. IC697Vxx.
- Supports existing Genius networks and expansion racks
- Supports expansion power supplies for higher current configurations.
- Includes Slot 0 for installing the RX7i controller power supply, while slots 1 and 2 are used for installing an RX7i CPU with Ethernet daughterboard. The remaining slots can then be used for any of these I/O combinations:
- Eight (8) IC697…or IC698… double-width modules,
- Fifteen (15) IC697…or IC698… single-width modules (with no IC697…or IC698… double modules installed),
- A combination of IC697…or IC698… single-width and double-width modules
Compatible Controller Racks The following VME64 controller racks are compatible with RX7i PACSystems:
- IC698CHS009: Rear Mount, 9-Slot RX7i VME controller rack
- IC698CHS117: Front Mount, 18-Slot RX7i VME controller rack
- IC698CHS017: Rear Mount, 18-Slot RX7i VME controller rack
- IC698CHS217: Rear Mount, Rear I/O access 17-Slot RX7i VME controller rack
- IC698CHS109: Panel Mount, 9-Slot RX7i 9 VME controller rack
C) Communications
Select an RX7i PACSystem with the following communication features:
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A built-in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port on the RX7i CPU with two shielded RJ-45 ports that are connected via an auto-sensing switch for online monitoring, upload, and download. The auto-sensing switch eliminates the need for rack-to-rack hubs or switches.
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An embedded CPU Ethernet Interface with:
- Ethernet Global Data (EGD) protocol for data exchange
- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) communication services via SRTP (Secure RTP or Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol)
- Modbus TCP server using Client-Server model
- Full PLC configuration and programming services
- Comprehensive diagnostic and station management tools
- Two full-duplex RJ-45 Connectors (10BaseT/100BaseT/TX ports) that include an internal network switch. This switch includes an Auto-negotiation feature for duplex mode, cabling crossover, and network speed detection.
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Both of the shielded dual RJ-45 ports can be linked to other Ethernet devices. Each of the two Ethernet ports can automatically sense the data transfer rate (100 Mbps or 10 Mbps), type of duplex protocol (full duplex or half duplex), and cabling arrangement (crossover or straight through) of the attached Ethernet network link. You can opt to use shielded Ethernet cables or not. Note: The two RJ-45 ports on the CPU Ethernet Interface should not be connected either indirectly or directly to the same Ethernet device. Also, the switch or hub connections in the Ethernet network should form a tree topology to avoid duplication of packets.
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Three isolated serial ports onboard the RX7i CPU, which are accessed by connectors located on the front of the CPU module. The three serial ports include:
- RS-232 Port 1: This is a Data Communications Equipment (DCE) port, which is optocoupler isolated. It includes a female, 9-pin, D-sub connector that has a standard pinout. It allows the use of a simple straight-through cable for connecting with a standard AT-style RS-232 port. Port 1 LED indicator provides the status of the RS-232 serial port activity.
- RS-485 Port 2: This is also a DCE port that is optocoupler isolated and RS-485 compatible. It includes a female, 15-pin, D-sub connector. Port 2 does not support the use of the IC690ACC901 RS-485 to RS-232 adapter. Also, to use this port, you require a shielded cable. Its LED indicator provides details of serial port activity even when no terminal is connected.
- Ethernet Station Manager (Mgr.) Port: This is an isolated Data Communications Equipment (DCE) port that is RS-232 compatible. It also enables connections to a standard AT-style RS-232 port using a simple straight-through cable. It has a female, 9-pin, D-connector. In addition, it contains abundant standard RS-232 control signals to be used with Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) in the future.
D) Controller Power Supplies
RX7i controller power supplies provide -12 V, 5V, and 12V output voltages, as well as logic level sequencing signals to all compatible modules on the rack-mounted RX7i backplane. The leftmost slot in the RX7i controller rack includes a 47-pin connector into which the controller power supply plugs directly. Also, the output of an RX7i power supply can ride through a loss of up to a single input line cycle with no loss of output power.
Select an RX7i controller power supply with the following features:
- Operating voltage ranging between 85 Volts AC (VAC) to 264 VAC, or 100 Volts DC (VDC) to 150 VDC
- Three output voltages that include: -12 VDC, 5 VDC, and 12 VDC
- Overcurrent protection in case of electronic short circuit
- Overvoltage and Overcurrent fault protection
- For AC operations, the Power Factor correction feature should be available
- Slide-in-the-rack mounting construction
Compatible Controller Power Supplies Depending on the power requirements of your RX7i control system, you can select any of the following RX7i controller power supplies:
- IC698PSA100: RX7i PLC power supply with operating voltage ranging between 85VAC…264 VAC at an input frequency of 47Hz…63Hz. At ambient temperatures of 0 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius, this power supply can provide a maximum of 100 Watts of total output power in the absence of forced air cooling.
- IC698PSA350: RX7i PLC power supply operating with a voltage of 85VAC…264VAC at an input frequency of 47Hz…63Hz. This controller power supply can provide a maximum of 350 Watts of total output power, but it requires forced air cooling provided by a rack-mounted fan assembly on the bottom of the RX7i controller rack.
- IC698PSD300: RX7i power supply operating from 18 VDC…30 VDC, with a total power output of up to 300 Watts.
Note: The capacity of the selected RX7i power supply may limit the number of modules supported by the RX7i controller rack.
E) Expansion Racks
Select an RX7i PACSystem that can support up to seven (7) expansion racks for future expansion of existing systems. You can use the following Series 90-70 expansion racks:
- IC697CHS750: 5-Slot, Rear (Panel) Mount
- IC697CHS782: 17-Slot, Rear (Panel) VME Integrator
- IC697CHS783: 17-Slot, Front (Rack) VME Integrator
- IC697CHS790: 9-Slot, Rear (Panel) Mount
- IC697CHS791: 9-Slot, Front (Rack) Mount
The Series 90-70 expansion racks outlined above also support the same Genius devices and Series 90-70 modules are supported by the main RX7i controller racks.
Note: You cannot use RX7i IC698CHS117 and IC698CHS017 main controller racks as expansion racks on an RX7i PACSystem. Also, because of hardware limitations associated with Series 90-70 expansion racks, these racks do not support RX7i Ethernet modules, RX7i controller power supplies, or any of the following single-width IC697Vxx modules:
- IC697VDD100: 64-Point, Digital Input
- IC697VDR151: 64-Point, Relay Output
- IC697VDQ120: 64-Point, Digital Output
- IC697VAL264: 16-bit, 64-Channel Standard Performance Analog Input
- IC697VAL132: 16-bit, 16-Channel Isolated Analog Input
- IC697VRD008: 8-Channel Strain Gauge/RTD
- IC697VAL301: 12-bit, 32-Channel Analog Output
F) Expansion Power Supplies
You’ll need to select an expansion power supply if your RX7i control system includes Series 90-70 expansion racks because these racks do not support RX7i controller power supplies. The available expansion power supplies for use with RX7i PACSystems include:
- IC697PWR710 Power Supply: 120/240 VAC or 125 VDC operating voltage, and 50 Watts output power.
- IC697PWR711 Power Supply: 100 Watts output power and 120/240 VAC, 125 VDC operating voltage.
- IC697PWR724 Power Supply: 90 Watts output power, 24 VDC operating voltage
- IC697PWR748 Power Supply: 90 Watts output power, 48 VDC operating voltage
G) Fan Assemblies
If your RX7i PACSystem includes installations that can easily malfunction or get damaged due to heat buildups such as some RX7i CPUs (IC698CRE020, IC698CPE020), IC698PSA350 power supply, or IC697Vxx single-width modules, then a fan assembly becomes necessary. The RX7i fan assembly provides additional rack cooling for the aforementioned installations through forced air cooling. The assembly consists of three fans with a low noise level. It utilizes ball bearings to extend the service life. It’s an easily installed accessory that can be used with RX7i controller racks as well as 9-Slot Series 90-70 standard racks and 17-Slot VME Integrator racks.
Compatible Fan Assemblies The following rack fan assemblies are compatible with RX7i PACSystems:
- IC697ACC721: 120 VAC operating voltage at 50/60 Hz
- IC697ACC724: 240 VAC operating voltage at 50/60 Hz
- IC697ACC744: 24 VDC operating voltage
H) Battery Pack Compatibility
RX7i PACSystems require an auxiliary battery module for memory retention. Therefore, choose a battery module that is compatible with the already selected RX7i CPU. For example, the RX7i IC693ACC302A battery module should only be used with RX7i IC698CPE040 and IC698CPE030 CPUs. However, the RX7i IC698ACC701 three-cell lithium battery pack cannot be used with RX7i IC698CPE040 and IC698CPE030 CPUs.