GE IC698CRE020 RX7i Redundancy CPU Replacement Solution

Product Overview

GE IC698CRE020 RX7i Redundancy CPU Replacement Solution: Smooth Transition from Legacy GE PLC Systems

The GE IC698CRE020 is a high-availability Redundancy CPU Module designed for the GE PACSystems RX7i platform — one of the most widely deployed process-control architectures in power generation, oil & gas, water treatment, and heavy manufacturing. As GE Fanuc transitions its legacy Series 90-70 and early RX7i product lines toward end-of-life, facilities running aging IC698CPE010, IC698CPE020, or IC698CPE030 controllers face increasing pressure to migrate before spare-part availability collapses entirely.

TOPNLMS maintains verified stock of the IC698CRE020 and supports direct drop-in replacement for sites currently operating redundant RX7i controller pairs. Our pre-shipment inspection process covers firmware revision verification, backplane connector integrity, memory module seating, and communication port continuity — ensuring every unit leaves our facility ready for immediate rack installation.

Compatibility Comparison Table

Seamless Upgrade Solutions

A successful migration to the IC698CRE020 rarely involves the CPU alone. In most RX7i redundancy projects, the upgrade scope extends across the entire controller chassis and its associated field interface infrastructure. Sites replacing a failed or end-of-life IC698CPE030 standard CPU with the IC698CRE020 redundancy CPU will typically also need to address the redundancy synchronization link — this requires a matched second IC698CRE020 unit installed in the standby chassis, connected via the dedicated fiber-optic sync cable supported by the RX7i redundancy architecture.

The IC698CHS017 17-slot rack is the preferred chassis for redundancy deployments, providing sufficient slot capacity to house the IC698CRE020 alongside communication modules such as the IC698ETM001 Ethernet interface module and the IC698CMX016 communications coprocessor, which handles high-speed data exchange between the primary and standby controllers without burdening the main CPU scan cycle.

On the power side, the IC698PSA350 350W power supply is strongly recommended for redundancy configurations where the chassis carries a full complement of analog and digital I/O modules. Sites currently running the lighter IC698PSA100 should evaluate total chassis load before migration, particularly if adding the IC698CRE020 alongside existing IC694MDL340 discrete output modules or IC694ALG220 analog input modules that were previously served by a lower-draw standard CPU chassis.

For field wiring, the IC694TBB032 terminal block and associated IC694TBS032 spring-clamp terminal assemblies allow existing field cables to be reconnected to the new I/O modules without re-termination, significantly reducing commissioning time during a live-system cutover. Engineers performing the migration should also verify that any IC693ACC300 hand-held programmer or IC690ACC901 programming cable used for legacy Series 90-70 configuration is replaced with a USB-to-serial adapter compatible with Proficy Machine Edition for RX7i target configuration.

In distributed I/O architectures, the IC695PBM300 PROFIBUS master module or IC695EIS001 EtherNet/IP scanner module may already be present in the existing rack. Both modules are fully retained in the IC698CRE020 migration — no re-configuration of the PROFIBUS DP network or EtherNet/IP device table is required, provided the CPU firmware revision on the IC698CRE020 matches or exceeds the revision level of the outgoing CPU. TOPNLMS verifies firmware revision on every unit prior to shipment and provides revision documentation with each order.

Retrofit Guidance FAQ

Q: Can I reuse my existing ladder logic programs when replacing an IC698CPE020 with the IC698CRE020?
A: Yes. Programs developed in Proficy Machine Edition targeting the RX7i platform are fully portable to the IC698CRE020. You will need to update the hardware configuration in PME to reflect the redundancy CPU target type and enable the redundancy parameters, but no logic rewrite is required. Existing variable tables, I/O mapping, and PID function blocks are preserved.

Q: Does the IC698CRE020 require a different power supply than the standard CPE series?
A: No. The IC698CRE020 operates from the same IC698PSA100 or IC698PSA350 power supply used in standard RX7i chassis. However, redundancy configurations typically draw more total chassis power due to the addition of the redundancy sync module and dual Ethernet ports. A power budget review is recommended before finalizing the migration plan.

Q: What communication protocols does the IC698CRE020 support?
A: The IC698CRE020 natively supports SRTP (Service Request Transport Protocol) for Proficy ME communications, Modbus TCP via the onboard Ethernet port, and EGD (Ethernet Global Data) for peer-to-peer data exchange. PROFIBUS DP, DeviceNet, and EtherNet/IP are supported via plug-in communication modules in the same chassis — no protocol changes are required when migrating from a standard CPE CPU.

Q: How much physical space does the IC698CRE020 require in the rack?
A: The IC698CRE020 occupies a single slot in the RX7i chassis (slot 1, CPU position). Its physical dimensions are identical to the standard IC698CPE series, so no mechanical modifications to the control cabinet are required. The redundancy fiber-optic sync port exits from the front face of the module and requires a short cable run to the standby chassis — typically routed within the same cabinet or between adjacent cabinets.

Q: What is the recommended procedure for a live cutover from a standard CPU to the IC698CRE020?
A: The recommended approach is a planned maintenance-window swap. Power down the primary chassis, remove the existing CPU module, install the IC698CRE020, restore power, download the updated hardware configuration from PME, verify I/O status, and then bring the standby chassis online. TOPNLMS recommends bench-testing the IC698CRE020 against a copy of the production program before the live cutover to confirm scan time and I/O response behavior.

Q: Are there any known firmware compatibility issues between the IC698CRE020 and older IC694 series I/O modules?
A: The IC698CRE020 is backward-compatible with IC694 series discrete and analog I/O modules. Sites running IC694MDL655 or IC694ALG392 modules should confirm that the I/O module firmware is at a revision level supported by the RX7i CPU firmware version shipped on the IC698CRE020. TOPNLMS provides the firmware revision number with each unit and can advise on compatibility before order confirmation.

Warranty Assurance

Every IC698CRE020 unit shipped by TOPNLMS is covered by a 12-Month Warranty from the date of delivery. Our pre-shipment inspection protocol includes visual inspection of the PCB and connector surfaces, functional power-on test, backplane interface verification, and Ethernet port continuity check. Units that do not pass all inspection criteria are quarantined and not offered for sale.

In the event of a warranty claim, TOPNLMS provides a replacement unit or full refund within the warranty period. Our after-sales response time target is 24 hours for initial acknowledgment and 72 hours for replacement dispatch. We maintain buffer stock of high-demand RX7i components specifically to support warranty replacement without extended lead times.

For procurement teams requiring documentation, we provide a test report, packing list, and commercial invoice with every shipment. Export from Xiamen, China via DHL Express, FedEx International Priority, or sea freight consolidation — transit time to most destinations is 3–7 business days by air. Customs documentation is prepared in accordance with HS Code 8537.10 for programmable logic controllers and associated modules.

To confirm stock availability, request a firmware revision report, or obtain a formal quotation, contact our technical sales team directly.