GE Fanuc IC697CHS790 9-Slot Rear Mount Backplane Rack

IC697CHS790 is a heavy-duty rear-mount rack chassis designed exclusively for GE Fanuc Series 90-70 PLC control systems. It features nine standard module slots plus a dedicated wider power supply slot at the left side, serving as the mechanical mounting carrier and electrical backplane bus backbone for all IC697 CPU, communication, analog and digital I/O modules. The integrated conductive backplane delivers stable 5VDC power distribution and high-speed parallel bus communication between all plugged-in modules, with built-in mechanical key locks to prevent mismatched module insertion for system safety.

This legacy rack model has been discontinued for new automation projects and acts as a core aftermarket maintenance spare for aging industrial control systems in power, petrochemical and pulp & paper industries. It supports flexible rack address configuration (0–7) via backplane jumpers to build multi-rack distributed PLC architectures, and fits standard 10-inch deep electrical enclosures without mandatory cooling fans for most operating conditions. Front/rear dual mounting options enable flexible cabinet layout planning for both central control rooms and field remote I/O nodes.

Main Specifications

• Brand: GE Fanuc (Emerson Automation); Model: IC697CHS790; Series: Series 90-70 PLC Backplane Rack
• Slot Layout: 9 standard I/O/CPU slots + 1 dedicated power supply slot (double-width power slot)
• Power Capacity: Maximum 20A total load at 5VDC backplane bus; Compatible with all IC697 AC/DC power supplies
• Physical Dimensions: 11.15in H × 19in W × 7.5in D (283mm × 483mm × 190mm); Empty weight approx 15 lbs
• Mounting Type: Dual front/rear panel mounting; Fits 10-inch deep industrial control enclosures
• Rack Address Setting: 4-position backplane jumpers for rack ID assignment (0 to 7; CPU rack fixed as Rack 0)
• Mechanical Safety: Module interlock key system to block incompatible module installation into each slot
• Environmental Ratings: Operating 0℃ ~ +60℃; Storage -40℃ ~ +85℃; 5%–95% RH non-condensing, IP20 indoor cabinet rating
• Certifications & Compatibility: CE, UL, CSA industrial certifications; Fully compatible with all IC697 series CPU, BEM, analog and digital I/O modules

Core Functions

• Provide unified mechanical mounting and electrical bus interconnection platform for Series 90-70 PLC CPUs, bus expansion modules and all types of analog/digital I/O cards.
• Distribute regulated 5VDC power from rack power supply to every slot backplane, and transmit high-speed parallel control bus signals for bidirectional data exchange between all internal modules.
• Configurable rack ID jumpers support multi-rack system expansion, allowing multiple IC697CHS790 racks to be linked via IC697BEM711/BEM713 bus expansion modules for large-scale distributed control.
• Built-in mechanical anti-misplug key structure prevents wrong-type modules from being inserted into designated slots, eliminating hardware short-circuit and communication failure risks caused by mismatched installation.
• Dual front/rear mounting flexibility adapts to compact central control cabinets and field remote I/O box layouts, simplifying on-site wiring and equipment layout optimization.
• Passive heat dissipation design removes the need for cooling fans under standard operating loads, reducing long-term maintenance costs and potential fan failure points for continuous production units.

Application Scenarios

• Backplane rack spare replacement for GE Series 90-70 main CPU racks and remote expansion I/O racks in thermal power plants, combined cycle and hydropower control facilities.
• Modular system chassis spare parts for petrochemical refineries, natural gas compression stations and continuous chemical reaction production process automation cabinets.
• Maintenance backup inventory for pulp & paper mills, metallurgical rolling lines and municipal water/wastewater treatment PLC control enclosures.
• Matching foundational rack accessory paired with IC697 CPU units, IC697BEM713 bus receiver modules and analog/digital field I/O modules.
• Retrofit replacement components for aging PLC systems suffering backplane pin corrosion, structural frame deformation and poor bus contact communication faults.

• Global aftermarket spare stock for process industry maintenance teams managing discontinued GE Fanuc Series 90-70 PLC automation hardware worldwide.