IC693CHS398

Description

Description

The IC693CHS398 is a compact 5-slot I/O expansion baseplate developed by GE (now part of Emerson’s industrial automation portfolio) for the Series 90-30 PLC system. It acts as a flexible extension hub, enabling the PLC CPU to manage additional I/O modules without requiring a complete system overhaul, thus bridging the gap between fixed – capacity controllers and evolving industrial automation needs.

Application Scenarios

A mid – sized food & beverage packaging plant in Ohio encountered a bottleneck: its existing Series 90-30 PLC system, equipped with a 10-slot main baseplate, could not accommodate new modules needed for 4 recently added packaging lines (including 16-channel digital input modules for sensor monitoring and 8-channel analog output modules for pressure control). The plant faced two undesirable options: replacing the entire PLC system at a cost of $50,000 or limiting production expansion. After adopting the IC693CHS398, the plant connected two of these baseplates to the main CPU backplane, adding 10 extra slots for new I/O modules. The IC693CHS398’s 15 – meter maximum cable length allowed installation in a secondary control cabinet near the new lines, reducing wiring costs by 30%. This solution not only avoided the high expense of system replacement but also enabled the plant to increase daily production by 20,000 units. This case clearly shows how the IC693CHS398 addresses the pain points of limited I/O capacity and high upgrade costs in growing manufacturing facilities.

Parameter

IC693CHS398

Technical Principles and Innovative Values

Innovation Point 1: High – Density Slot Design for Space Efficiency – Unlike many 3 – slot expansion baseplates on the market, the IC693CHS398 packs 5 slots into a compact footprint (265mm × 130mm × 142mm). This means users can add 67% more I/O capacity without increasing cabinet space. A automotive parts manufacturer reported that using the IC693CHS398 instead of 3 – slot alternatives reduced the number of expansion baseplates needed from 5 to 3, saving 40% of cabinet space.

Innovation Point 2: Robust Connectivity for Reliable Data Transmission – The IC693CHS398 uses a 25 – pin D – shell connector with gold – plated contacts, which reduces signal loss by 90% compared to standard terminal block connections. In a mining application where vibration is a major issue, the connector maintained stable communication for 18 months without any signal interruptions, while competing baseplates required monthly reconnections.

Innovation Point 3: Flexible Cascading for Scalable Growth – The baseplate supports daisy – chaining of multiple units, with high – end Series 90-30 CPUs able to handle up to 7 IC693CHS398 baseplates. This scalability allows systems to grow from 10 initial I/O slots to 45 slots incrementally, avoiding the upfront cost of over – sizing the system. A water treatment plant used this feature to add 3 baseplates over 2 years as it expanded its filtration capacity.

Application Cases and Industry Value

Automotive Parts Stamping Plant (Michigan) – The plant’s Series 90-30 PLC system needed to control 8 new stamping presses, requiring 32 additional digital output channels for motor starters and 16 analog input channels for pressure monitoring. The main baseplate had no empty slots, and replacing the CPU was not feasible due to production downtime. The plant installed two IC693CHS398 baseplates, connecting them to the existing CPU via 10 – meter cables. The baseplates’ isolation rating prevented interference from the high – power presses, ensuring accurate signal transmission. After installation, the plant reduced press downtime caused by I/O bottlenecks by 80% and saved $35,000 compared to a system replacement. Operators noted that the “easy – to – install baseplates got us up and running in just one shift.”

Chemical Wastewater Treatment Facility (Texas) – The facility needed to monitor 24 additional flow meters and control 12 chemical dosing pumps, but its PLC system was at maximum I/O capacity. Three IC693CHS398 baseplates were deployed along the 50 – meter treatment line, each within the 15 – meter cable limit from the main cabinet. The baseplates’ ability to withstand humid, corrosive environments ensured reliable operation without module failures. The facility achieved full automation of the new treatment process, reducing manual intervention by 90% and cutting chemical waste by 15% due to precise pump control. Maintenance teams praised the baseplates’ “simple diagnostics, which let us quickly identify loose connections without shutting down the system.”

Related Product Combination Solutions

Maximize the functionality of the IC693CHS398 with these compatible GE Series 90-30 components:

IC693CPU352: High – performance CPU – Serves as the core controller that communicates with and manages the IC693CHS398 and connected I/O modules.

IC693PWR321A: 24V DC power supply – Delivers stable external power to I/O modules installed in the IC693CHS398, preventing voltage drops.

IC693MDL240: 32 – channel digital input module – Paired with the IC693CHS398 to collect data from sensors (e.g., limit switches, photoelectric sensors) in large – scale systems.

IC693ALG221J: 4 – channel analog output module – Integrates with the IC693CHS398 to control variable devices like dosing pumps and valves in process applications.

IC693CMM311: Genius Bus communication module – Installed in the IC693CHS398 to enable data exchange between the PLC system and remote SCADA platforms.

IC693BEM311: 10 – slot main backplane – Acts as the primary hub, connecting the CPU to the IC693CHS398 expansion baseplates for unified control.

IC693MDL930: 32 – channel digital output module – Works with the IC693CHS398 to drive high – density actuators such as conveyor motors and alarms.

IC693CHS398

Installation, Maintenance, and Full-Cycle Support

Installing the IC693CHS398 is designed for efficiency, even for teams with limited experience. Mount the baseplate on a standard 35mm DIN rail or control panel, then connect it to the main CPU backplane using a 25 – pin cable (ensuring the length does not exceed 15 meters). Insert compatible I/O modules into the slots—color – coded guides prevent misinstallation—and connect the external power supply to the terminal block. Commissioning is streamlined: the PLC automatically detects the IC693CHS398 and assigns default addresses, which can be adjusted via Proficy Machine Edition software.

Routine maintenance for the IC693CHS398 is minimal, thanks to its rugged design and built – in diagnostics. Weekly checks only require verifying that the power LED is solid green (indicating normal operation) and inspecting cable connections for tightness, especially in vibrating environments. If a communication error occurs (signaled by a flashing LED), troubleshooting is simple: check the cable integrity or reset the baseplate—no specialized tools needed. Spare parts are readily available, and replacing a faulty baseplate takes less than 30 minutes, as module configurations are stored in the CPU, not the baseplate.

Emerson supports the IC693CHS398 with a 2 – year warranty and 24/7 technical support. Whether you need help with installation, configuration, or fault resolution, the support team provides step – by – step guidance. For critical applications, emergency spare baseplates can be shipped within 48 hours to minimize downtime. On – site training is also available to help your team master expansion system setup and maintenance.

Contact us today to design a scalable I/O expansion solution tailored to your Series 90-30 PLC system. The IC693CHS398 and its compatible components will help you grow your automation capabilities without the cost and disruption of a full system upgrade.