IC697BEM713

Description

Product Overview

The Emerson IC697BEM713 is a high-reliability bus expansion module exclusively designed for Emerson’s legacy 90-70 PLC series, serving as a “rack-to-rack communication bridge” for distributed industrial control systems. Unlike local I/O modules (e.g., IC697MDL653) or serial communication modules (e.g., IC697CMM742), Emerson IC697BEM713 is engineered to address the core challenge of single-rack I/O capacity limitations—enabling seamless data exchange between multiple 90-70 racks (up to 8 racks total) via a dedicated high-speed bus, while maintaining the same real-time performance as a single integrated rack.

As a dedicated bus expansion solution, Emerson IC697BEM713 operates on the 90-70 series’ proprietary Genius Bus protocol, delivering 1Mbps data throughput with ≤1ms communication latency between racks—critical for time-sensitive control scenarios (e.g., synchronized conveyor lines, multi-stage process regulation). Each module acts as a bus interface for a remote rack: the “master” module (installed in the CPU rack) coordinates data transmission, while “slave” modules (installed in remote racks) enable I/O modules (e.g., IC697MDL750 analog input modules, IC697MDL653 digital output modules) in remote racks to communicate with the central CPU (e.g., IC697CPX928-FE, IC697CPM790). Additionally, it includes built-in bus fault detection and auto-recovery mechanisms, ensuring that a single rack’s communication failure does not affect the entire system—enhancing overall reliability in large-scale deployments.

For users maintaining 90-70 PLC systems in large factories or sprawling industrial sites, Emerson IC697BEM713 provides a cost-effective path to scale control capacity without replacing the central CPU or rewriting control logic. Its drop-in compatibility with all 90-70 racks (e.g., IC697RACK208, IC697RACK404) and full support for 90-70 I/O/CPU modules allows flexible distributed configuration, while its industrial-grade design (wide temperature range, EMI immunity) ensures stable operation in harsh environments (e.g., high-noise manufacturing halls, temperature-fluctuating process plants).

Technical Specifications

IC697BEM713

Main Features and Advantages

High-Speed Bus Expansion for Large-Scale I/O Capacity: With 1Mbps throughput and ≤1ms latency, Emerson IC697BEM713 enables real-time control across up to 8 racks—far exceeding the capacity of a single 90-70 rack (max 16 I/O modules). A US automotive assembly plant used Emerson IC697BEM713 to expand its 90-70 system from 1 to 5 racks: the master module (in the CPU rack with IC697CPX928-FE) coordinated 4 slave racks, each housing 8 IC697MDL653 digital output modules (32 channels each) for conveyor control. This expansion increased total I/O capacity from 512 to 2048 digital points, supporting a 400m-long assembly line without compromising control responsiveness.

Bus Fault Isolation Enhances System Reliability: Unlike shared-bus architectures where one fault shuts down the entire system, Emerson IC697BEM713 provides per-rack isolation—ensuring a slave rack’s communication failure (e.g., cable damage, power loss) does not affect other racks. A German chemical plant deployed 7 slave racks (each with Emerson IC697BEM713) for a multi-stage reaction process; when a forklift damaged the bus cable to Slave Rack 3, the module isolated the fault, and the central CPU continued controlling the remaining 6 racks—avoiding a full process shutdown that would have cost €200,000 in lost production.

Long Bus Distance Support for Sprawling Sites: Supporting up to 1000m per bus segment (5000m with repeaters), Emerson IC697BEM713 is ideal for distributed sites like oil refineries or municipal water treatment plants. A Canadian oil refinery used the module to connect a central CPU rack (with IC697CPM790) to 6 remote racks across a 3km site: each segment (up to 900m) linked two racks, with IC697GEN100 repeaters extending the bus; this configuration eliminated the need for expensive fiber-optic communication, cutting infrastructure costs by 60% compared to Ethernet-based remote I/O solutions.

Seamless Integration with Existing 90-70 Infrastructure: As a drop-in module, Emerson IC697BEM713 works with all 90-70 CPUs and I/O modules—no changes to existing control logic or wiring are required. A Japanese electronics factory upgraded its 90-70 system with 3 slave racks (each with Emerson IC697BEM713) to add 96 IC697MDL750 analog input modules for temperature monitoring; the existing CPU (IC697CPU771) automatically recognized the remote I/O via the bus, and no modifications to the ladder logic were needed—reducing upgrade time from 2 weeks to 3 days.

Application Field

The Emerson IC697BEM713 excels in large-scale, distributed industrial automation where legacy 90-70 PLCs need to expand I/O capacity across multiple racks. In automotive manufacturing (e.g., multi-line body shop), it connects central CPU racks to remote I/O racks for robot and tooling control. A Mexican automotive plant used Emerson IC697BEM713 to link a central CPU rack (with IC697CPX928-FE) to 4 remote racks: each remote rack housed IC697MDL653 modules for welding robot control and IC697MDL750 modules for torque monitoring; the high-speed bus ensured synchronized robot movements (±2ms precision), improving weld quality consistency by 18%.

In chemical processing (e.g., multi-vessel batch production), it coordinates remote I/O racks for process parameter monitoring and control. A German chemical plant used Emerson IC697BEM713 to connect a central safety CPU rack (with IC697CPM790) to 5 remote racks: each remote rack monitored 16 reaction vessels (via IC697MDL750-R redundant analog modules) and controlled 32 valves (via IC697MDL653-R redundant digital modules); the bus fault isolation prevented a single vessel’s sensor fault from affecting the entire batch, reducing batch rejection rates by 25%.

In municipal water/wastewater treatment (e.g., multi-station pumping systems), it links a central control rack to remote pump stations. A US municipal water plant used Emerson IC697BEM713 to connect a central CPU rack (with IC697CPU771) to 6 remote pump station racks: each remote rack housed IC697MDL653 modules for pump control and IC697CMM742 modules for Modbus RTU sensor communication; the long bus distance support (up to 800m per segment) eliminated the need for on-site operators at each pump station, cutting labor costs by 40%.

Related Products

Emerson IC697CPX928-FE: 90-70 high-performance CPU module—acts as the central controller for Emerson IC697BEM713-expanded systems, coordinating data exchange between master and slave racks.

Emerson IC697MDL653: 90-70 digital output module—installed in remote racks (with Emerson IC697BEM713) to drive actuators like valves and motors in distributed control loops.

Emerson IC697MDL750: 90-70 analog input module—paired with Emerson IC697BEM713 in remote racks to collect precision sensor data (e.g., temperature, pressure) for central CPU processing.

Emerson IC697PWR748D: 90-70 power supply module—provides 5V DC power to Emerson IC697BEM713 in non-safety remote racks, ensuring stable bus communication.

Emerson IC697GEN100: Genius Bus repeater—extends Emerson IC697BEM713 bus distance beyond 1000m, enabling connectivity between distant racks in large sites.

Emerson IC697RACK208: 8-slot 90-70 rack—houses Emerson IC697BEM713 and I/O modules in remote racks, providing mechanical stability and backplane connectivity.

Emerson 90-70 Configuration Software (v8.0+): Configures Emerson IC697BEM713 master/slave mode, bus ID, and fault recovery settings; monitors bus status and rack communication.

Emerson IC697CBL712: Shielded Genius Bus cable—connects Emerson IC697BEM713 modules between racks, reducing noise interference and ensuring reliable data transmission.

IC697BEM713

Installation and Maintenance

Pre-installation preparation: First, confirm the 90-70 rack (central or remote) has an available I/O slot and that the CPU firmware is ≥v8.0 for full bus support. For the central “master” rack: Turn off power (supplied by IC697PWR748D), slide Emerson IC697BEM713 into the slot, and secure with front-panel screws; configure the module as “Master” via the 90-70 Configuration Software, setting the bus ID to “0”. For remote “slave” racks: Repeat the installation process, configuring each module as “Slave” with a unique bus ID (1–7); ensure each remote rack has its own power supply (IC697PWR748D). Connect racks using shielded Genius Bus cable (IC697CBL712): wire “Data+” to “Data+” and “Data-” to “Data-” between modules; install a 120Ω termination resistor at the last slave rack (built into Emerson IC697BEM713—enable via software). Power on all racks—verify the module’s “POWER” LED (green) and “BUS ACTIVE” LED (flashing green) are active; no “BUS FAULT” LED (red) should illuminate. Use the software to scan for remote racks and validate I/O module detection.

Maintenance recommendations: Conduct daily checks of Emerson IC697BEM713’s LEDs—ensure “POWER” is green, “BUS ACTIVE” flashes with data transmission, and “BUS FAULT” is off; a solid red “BUS FAULT” indicates a critical issue (e.g., broken cable, repeater failure). Weekly, use the 90-70 Configuration Software to monitor bus metrics (data throughput, error rates, rack connectivity); address high error rates by checking cable shielding or tightening terminals. Monthly, inspect bus cables for physical damage (e.g., cuts, abrasions) and test termination resistor continuity (120Ω) at the last slave rack. Every 6 months, clean the module’s air vents with compressed air (in dusty environments like steel mills) and verify power supply voltage (5V DC ±5%) to prevent communication instability. If a bus fault occurs, use the software’s diagnostic tool to isolate the faulty segment (e.g., between Slave Rack 2 and 3); replace the affected module or cable during scheduled downtime. Avoid hot-swapping Emerson IC697BEM713 without stopping the rack power, as this may cause bus-wide communication disruptions.

Product Guarantee

Emerson provides a 36-month quality guarantee for Emerson IC697BEM713, covering manufacturing defects, bus communication failures (e.g., no rack detection), fault isolation malfunctions (e.g., bus shutdown due to single-rack fault), and surge protection failures under normal use. During the warranty period, if Emerson IC697BEM713 malfunctions (e.g., master module bus lockup, slave module unresponsiveness), Emerson ships a free replacement module within 72 hours globally and covers standard shipping costs. Additionally, Emerson offers legacy 90-70 technical support (phone/email) to assist with bus configuration, fault troubleshooting, and repeater integration (e.g., IC697GEN100 setup). For customers with maintenance contracts, Emerson provides annual on-site checks—verifying bus performance, testing fault isolation, and updating firmware (if critical patches are released) to ensure compliance with industrial EMC standards (EN 61000-6-2). This guarantee reflects Emerson’s commitment to delivering reliable, scalable bus expansion solutions for legacy 90-70 PLC systems in large-scale industrial applications.