GE DS3800NDID1P1H | Mark IV Series PC Card Interface Motherboard for Gas/Steam Turbine Control

  • Brand: GE (General Electric)
  • Model: DS3800NDID1P1H (Variant of Mark IV Series)
  • Product Type: PC Card Interface Motherboard (Drive Interface Board)
  • Series: Mark IV (Legacy GE Turbine Control Systems)
  • Core Function: Serves as a critical drive interface​ in GE Mark IV turbine control systems, designed to facilitate communication between the Mark IV controller and various drives (e.g., fuel valves, steam inlet valves) that control turbine operation. It acts as a “bridge” for signal transmission and power distribution, ensuring reliable interaction between the control unit and field devices.
  • Key Specs:
    • Bus Compatibility: VMEbus Rev. C.1 (fits into Mark IV I/O racks)
    • Form Factor: 6U Eurocard (160 mm × 233 mm, standard for Mark IV devices)
    • Status: Discontinued by GE (aftermarket suppliers offer repair/replacement)
    • Weight: ~0.45 kg (1 lb)
Manufacturer:
Part number: DS3800NDID1P1H
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Description

DS3800NDID1P1H: Product Overview
The GE DS3800NDID1P1H​ is a PC card interface motherboard​ belonging to the Mark IV series​ (a legacy platform for GE turbine control systems). It is engineered for drive interface applications​ in industrial automation systems, particularly in gas and steam turbine control. As part of the Mark IV ecosystem, it acts as a “communication hub” between the Mark IV controller and the drives that regulate turbine speed, load, and fuel flow. Its primary role is to ensure accurate signal transmission​ and stable power distribution​ between the control unit and field devices, which is critical for maintaining turbine efficiency and preventing unplanned downtime.
Role in Automation Systems:
Positioned as a “drive interface” in Mark IV architectures, the DS3800NDID1P1H performs two primary functions:
  1. Signal Transmission: Receives control signals from the Mark IV controller (e.g., speed setpoints, fuel flow commands) and transmits them to the drives that adjust turbine components (e.g., fuel valves, steam inlet valves).
  2. Feedback Collection: Collects feedback signals from the drives (e.g., valve positions, motor currents) and sends them back to the Mark IV controller for real-time monitoring and adjustment.
Core Functionality:
  • VMEbus Compatibility: Conforms to VMEbus Rev. C.1 standards, ensuring seamless integration with existing Mark IV I/O racks and controllers. This eliminates the need for additional adapters or modifications, minimizing installation time and cost.
  • Legacy Support: Designed to work with existing Mark IV components (e.g., I/O modules, terminal boards), reducing the cost of system upgrades. This makes it an ideal choice for power plants with aging Mark IV systems, where replacing the entire control architecture is not feasible.
  • Rugged Design: Industrial-grade components and a compact form factor (6U Eurocard) enable 24/7 operation in high-temperature, high-vibration environments (e.g., turbine halls).
Platform Benefits (Mark IV Series):
The DS3800NDID1P1H inherits the Mark IV platform’s strengths, including:
  • Reliability: The Mark IV system is a proven platform for turbine control, with a track record of 24/7 operation in power plants worldwide.
  • Scalability: Supports expansion with additional I/O modules to accommodate growing system demands (e.g., adding more sensors to a turbine control system).
  • Easy Integration: Compatible with GE Fanuc/Emerson PLC/PAC systems, ensuring seamless integration with existing automation architectures.
Technical Specifications
Parameter
Specification
Model Number
DS3800NDID1P1H (Variant of Mark IV Series)
Manufacturer
GE (General Electric)
Product Type
PC Card Interface Motherboard
Series
Mark IV (Turbine Control Systems)
Bus Compatibility
VMEbus Rev. C.1 (fits into Mark IV I/O racks)
Form Factor
6U Eurocard (160 mm × 233 mm)
Status
Discontinued by manufacturer
Weight
~0.45 kg (1 lb)
Certifications
CE, UL (inferred from GE industrial product standards)
Core Features & Customer Value
1. Seamless Legacy Integration:
The DS3800NDID1P1H’s VMEbus compatibility ensures seamless integration with existing Mark IV systems, minimizing downtime and effort during upgrades. This is invaluable for facilities with legacy Mark IV installations, allowing them to enhance system capabilities without replacing entire architectures.
2. Reliable Signal Transmission:
The module’s rugged design and legacy support ensure reliable signal transmission between the Mark IV controller and drives. This is critical for turbine control, where even minor signal inaccuracies can lead to process instability (e.g., turbine speed variations) or equipment damage (e.g., fuel valve failure).
3. Cost-Effective Retrofit:
By enabling integration with existing Mark IV components, the DS3800NDID1P1H eliminates the need for costly system upgrades. This makes it an ideal choice for power plants with aging Mark IV systems, where replacing the entire control architecture is not feasible.
4. Easy Maintenance:
The module’s modular design allows for quick replacement during maintenance, reducing downtime. Aftermarket suppliers like Radwell provide repair services for the DS3800NDID1P1H, ensuring that facilities can extend the lifespan of their existing systems.

Typical Applications
The GE DS3800NDID1P1H​ is widely used in industrial automation systems for:
  1. Power Generation:
    • Controls gas/steam turbines in power plants, ensuring stable power output and efficient fuel use.
  2. Manufacturing:
    • Used in assembly lines to process digital/analog signals from sensors (e.g., pressure, flow) and control actuators (e.g., valves, motors).
  3. Petrochemical Industry:
    • Controls digital/analog signals from refinery equipment (e.g., distillation columns, pumps), ensuring safe and efficient operation in hazardous environments.