GE IC698CHS117 Ruggedized VME Backplane Rack for Harsh Environments

Product Overview

GE IC698CHS117 Ruggedized VME Backplane Rack for Harsh Environments

The GE IC698CHS117 is a 17-slot VME backplane rack engineered for the PACSystems RX7i control platform — one of GE Automation’s (now Emerson Automation Solutions) most robust and widely deployed industrial control architectures. Designed to anchor mission-critical control systems in the most demanding plant environments, the IC698CHS117 delivers the structural integrity, thermal resilience, and electrical stability that heavy industry demands. Whether deployed in a petrochemical refinery, a steel mill, a water treatment facility, or a high-voltage power generation plant, this chassis forms the backbone of a reliable, long-life control system.

Industrial environments impose relentless stress on control hardware. Ambient temperatures fluctuate from sub-zero cold starts to sustained high-heat operation near furnaces and compressors. Humidity, condensation, and airborne particulates — including metallic dust, carbon black, and chemical vapors — infiltrate enclosures and degrade unprotected electronics. Mechanical vibration from rotating machinery, conveyors, and heavy presses transmits through mounting structures and into rack-mounted modules. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by variable frequency drives, large motor starters, and high-current bus bars can corrupt signal integrity across an entire control cabinet. The IC698CHS117 is built to withstand all of these conditions simultaneously, maintaining stable backplane communication and power distribution across all 17 module slots without interruption.

The 17-slot VME form factor accommodates the full breadth of the PACSystems RX7i module ecosystem. System integrators and plant engineers can populate the chassis with the IC698CPE030 or IC698CPE040 CPU modules for high-speed logic execution, paired with IC698PSA100 or IC698PSA350 power supply modules that deliver regulated, noise-filtered DC power to every slot. Discrete and analog I/O modules — including the IC698MDL740 output module and IC698ALG222 analog input module — mount directly into the backplane, eliminating the need for external wiring between I/O and the CPU. Communications modules such as the IC698ETM001 Ethernet interface and IC698CMX128 communications coprocessor integrate seamlessly into the same chassis, enabling SRTP, Modbus TCP, and EGD protocol support without additional hardware.

In continuous production environments — paper mills, chemical batch reactors, automotive assembly lines — unplanned downtime is measured in tens of thousands of dollars per hour. The IC698CHS117 supports hot-standby redundancy configurations when paired with a redundant CPU module and the appropriate redundancy memory module, allowing the control system to transfer execution to a standby CPU in milliseconds without process interruption. This architecture is particularly valuable in safety-instrumented system (SIS) adjacent applications where the primary PLC must remain operational even during partial hardware failures.

The chassis also plays a critical role in control cabinet thermal management. Its backplane design facilitates front-to-back airflow across all installed modules, working in conjunction with the RX7i’s forced-air cooling system to maintain module junction temperatures within specification even at elevated ambient conditions. In mining and mineral processing applications where ambient temperatures inside switchrooms can exceed 45°C, this thermal architecture is not optional — it is essential for sustained MTBF performance.

For facilities operating under IEC 61511 functional safety frameworks or NFPA 70E electrical safety standards, the IC698CHS117 provides a certified, documented hardware platform that simplifies safety case development. Its compatibility with GE’s Proficy Machine Edition programming environment and PACSystems RX7i system documentation means that replacement units can be validated and commissioned rapidly, reducing the risk window during scheduled maintenance or emergency spare replacement.

TOPNLMS maintains verified stock of the IC698CHS117 and conducts pre-shipment functional inspection on every unit. Each chassis is tested for backplane continuity, slot connector integrity, and mechanical alignment before packaging. Units are shipped in anti-static, shock-absorbing packaging with full documentation. Standard lead time from order confirmation to dispatch is 1–3 business days for in-stock units, with express freight options available for urgent plant requirements.

Rugged Specifications Table

Comprehensive Protection Solutions

The IC698CHS117 chassis is the structural and electrical foundation of a complete PACSystems RX7i control solution. In a fully configured control cabinet, it works in concert with a layered set of protection, control, and communication components. The IC698PSA350 power supply module provides 350W of regulated DC power with built-in surge suppression, protecting all installed modules from upstream power quality events — a critical feature in facilities where utility power is subject to voltage sags, transients, or momentary interruptions from large motor starts.

For process control loops requiring high-resolution analog measurement, the IC698ALG222 16-channel analog input module and IC698ALG728 analog output module mount directly into the backplane, delivering 16-bit resolution with channel-to-channel isolation that prevents ground loops from corrupting measurement accuracy in electrically noisy environments. Discrete safety interlocks are handled by the IC698MDL740 32-point DC output module, which supports fast response times essential for emergency shutdown (ESD) logic execution.

Network integration is achieved through the IC698ETM001 Ethernet TCP/IP communications module, enabling the RX7i system to participate in plant-wide SCADA networks, historian data collection, and remote HMI connectivity over standard industrial Ethernet infrastructure. For legacy serial device integration — including Modbus RTU instruments, weigh scales, and barcode readers — the IC698CMX128 communications coprocessor provides multi-port serial connectivity without consuming CPU processing bandwidth.

Redundancy-critical installations benefit from the IC698RMX016 redundancy memory exchange module, which synchronizes CPU state between primary and standby processors across the backplane at scan-cycle speed. Combined with a secondary IC698CHS117 chassis and mirrored I/O, this configuration delivers the fault-tolerant architecture required for continuous process industries where a single point of failure cannot be tolerated. Terminal modules and marshalling panels from the IC693 and IC694 series provide the field wiring interface, completing the signal chain from field instrument to control logic.

Application in Critical Infrastructure

The GE IC698CHS117 has established a proven track record across the most demanding sectors of critical infrastructure. In oil and gas upstream and midstream operations, RX7i systems built around the IC698CHS117 chassis manage wellhead control panels, compressor station automation, and pipeline SCADA integration. The chassis’s tolerance for wide temperature swings and its EMI-hardened backplane make it well-suited for remote unmanned stations where environmental conditioning is limited and maintenance access is infrequent.

In power generation — including coal, gas turbine, hydroelectric, and nuclear auxiliary systems — the IC698CHS117 supports turbine control, excitation system monitoring, and balance-of-plant automation. Its redundancy capability is particularly valued in generating units where a control system failure would trigger an unplanned outage with significant financial and grid-stability consequences. Utility operators rely on the RX7i platform’s long production lifecycle and GE’s (Emerson’s) commitment to spare parts availability to protect their capital investment in installed control systems.

Mining and mineral processing operations deploy the IC698CHS117 in crusher control systems, conveyor drive coordination, flotation cell management, and tailings pump stations. The mechanical vibration generated by jaw crushers, ball mills, and vibrating screens is among the most severe in any industrial application, and the VME backplane’s robust connector system maintains reliable module seating under sustained vibration loads. Dust ingress — from coal dust, silica, or mineral fines — is managed through proper enclosure selection, with the chassis designed to operate reliably within IP54 or higher-rated control cabinets.

In water and wastewater treatment, the IC698CHS117 controls pump stations, chemical dosing systems, filtration processes, and SCADA telemetry. These facilities often operate 24/7/365 with minimal on-site staffing, placing a premium on hardware reliability and remote diagnostics capability. The RX7i’s Ethernet communications and Proficy historian integration allow plant operators to monitor system health and process variables from centralized control rooms, reducing the need for physical site visits and enabling predictive maintenance scheduling.

Metallurgical and steel production environments present some of the most extreme conditions encountered by industrial control hardware — radiant heat from furnaces, electromagnetic fields from arc furnaces and induction heaters, and mechanical shock from rolling mill operations. The IC698CHS117’s thermal design and EMI-hardened backplane architecture have made it a preferred platform for electric arc furnace (EAF) auxiliary control, ladle metallurgy station automation, and continuous casting machine sequencing.

Security & Quality FAQ

Q1: What warranty coverage does TOPNLMS provide for the IC698CHS117?
Every IC698CHS117 unit supplied by TOPNLMS is covered by a 12-month warranty from the date of shipment. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal operating conditions. In the event of a warranty claim, TOPNLMS will provide a replacement unit or full refund, subject to inspection. Our warranty process is designed to minimize plant downtime — replacement units are dispatched within 24 hours of claim approval for in-stock items.

Q2: How is each unit tested before shipment?
All IC698CHS117 chassis units undergo a structured pre-shipment inspection protocol that includes backplane bus continuity verification, slot connector pin integrity check, mechanical alignment inspection, and visual examination for physical damage or corrosion. Units sourced from verified supply channels are cross-referenced against GE/Emerson part number databases to confirm authenticity. Inspection records are retained and available upon request for customers with traceability requirements.

Q3: Is the IC698CHS117 compatible with all PACSystems RX7i modules?
Yes. The IC698CHS117 is the standard 17-slot chassis for the PACSystems RX7i platform and is compatible with the complete IC698 series module family, including CPU modules (IC698CPE020/030/040), power supply modules (IC698PSA100/350), all discrete and analog I/O modules, communications modules, and redundancy modules. It is not cross-compatible with the PACSystems RX3i (IC695 series) or Series 90-70 legacy platforms without appropriate adapter hardware.

Q4: Can TOPNLMS support long-term or recurring supply requirements for the IC698CHS117?
Yes. TOPNLMS specializes in long-term spare parts supply for industrial automation platforms, including legacy and end-of-life GE/Emerson product lines. We maintain buffer stock of high-demand RX7i components and can establish blanket purchase agreements for customers with ongoing maintenance or capital project requirements. Contact our technical sales team to discuss volume pricing, lead time commitments, and consignment stock arrangements tailored to your plant’s maintenance strategy.