Description
Product Introduction & Engineering Value
When upgrading an aging control cabinet, ripping out legacy wiring harnesses is the fastest way to blow past a scheduled outage window. The GE PACSystems RX3i IC695CHS012 solves this transition trap with its dual-bus backplane design, allowing high-speed RX3i PCI modules (IC695) and legacy Series 90-30 I/O cards (IC693/IC694) to seat side-by-side in the same physical rack.
You get 12 un-numbered slots that accept double-width CPUs, redundant power supplies, and high-density I/O modules without artificial slot assignment restrictions. Built with heavy-gauge grounding metalwork and integrated DIN-rail/panel mounting points, this baseplate forms the rock-solid backbone for critical system migrations and high-point-count control nodes.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification Details |
| Total Slots | 12 Universal Slots (Slot 0 to Slot 11) |
| Backplane Bus Types | Dual-Bus: High-Speed PCI (RX3i IC695) + Serial (Legacy IC693/IC694) |
| Expansion Capabilities | Supports expansion to multiple remote baseplates via expansion modules |
| Power Supply Support | Supports single or redundant RX3i IC695 power supplies |
| Mounting Options | Panel Mount (flat backplate) or 19″ Rack Mount with adapter kit |
| Module Hot Swapping | Supports Hot Swap (Insertion/Removal under power) for compatible RX3i cards |
| Grounding Points | Integrated frame ground terminal lug on chassis end-plate |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 60°C (32°F to 140°F) |
Field Application & The “Trench” Experience
The Trench Story: An automotive assembly facility had 8 hours over a weekend to replace an failing Series 90-30 CPU. Rather than rewiring hundreds of field points, the lead control tech mounted an IC695CHS012 universal baseplate, installed an RX3i CPU (IC695CPE305) and power supply in the left slots, and migrated all existing 90-30 discrete and analog cards directly into the remaining slots. The dual-bus architecture read the legacy cards instantly, cutting what would have been a 3-day rewiring nightmare down to a 4-hour drop-in migration.
- Phased Legacy Control Migrations: Hosting new high-speed PACSystems RX3i processors while retaining existing Series 90-30 I/O modules during budget-capped retrofits.
- Redundant Power Infrastructure: Configuring dual IC695PSD040 power supplies in slots 0 and 1 for mission-critical boiler and turbine trip systems.
- Central High-Density Process Nodes: Serving as the main rack for multi-channel analog and high-speed counter networks in chemical blending plants.
Transparency SOP: QA & Testing
- Chassis & Connector Mechanical Audit: Inspecting all 12 dual-connector slots for bent pins, debris, card-guide alignment, and grounding rail integrity.
- Dual-Bus Continuity & Voltage Test: Applying test power to verify 3.3V, 5V, and 24V bus rail distribution across all 12 slots under simulated load.
- High-Speed PCI Communications Verification: Seating an RX3i CPU and high-speed network card to validate PCI bus backplane throughput and address decoding.
- Legacy Bus Handshake Check: Populating test slots with legacy IC693/IC694 modules to confirm seamless serial bus backplane bridging.
- Vibration & Ground Plane Inspection: Checking physical chassis rigidity, mounting ear weld integrity, and frame-ground continuity.
- IC695CHS012
- IC695CHS012
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide
⚠️ Slot 0 Power Supply Restriction: While the baseplate is called “universal,” the leftmost slot (Slot 0) has specific wiring pinouts for RX3i IC695 power supplies. If you are using an IC695 power module, it must be installed in Slot 0 (or Slot 0/1 if using double-width or redundant power). Placing a standard I/O module in Slot 0 without a proper power supply configuration will prevent the backplane from booting.
⚠️ Mixing IC695 and IC693/IC694 Cards: Remember that (RX3i PCI) modules use the left-hand backplane connector, while IC693/IC694 modules use the right-hand connector. Make sure you align the card carefully with the rear guide tracks during insertion; forcing a module in off-angle can bend the delicate PCI backplane pins.
PRO TIP: Always attach a dedicated heavy-gauge copper ground wire (minimum 12 AWG) from the baseplate’s frame ground screw directly to your cabinet’s main grounding bus bar. Poor baseplate grounding is the #1 cause of phantom bus-communication errors and transient analog noise on high-density RX3i racks.
Dynamic FAQ
Q: Can I mount the IC695CHS012 baseplate on a standard DIN rail? A: No. Unlike smaller 7-slot baseplates or expansion racks, the 12-slot IC695CHS012 is designed for panel mounting using screws through its mounting holes, or 19-inch rack mounting using an optional adapter kit, to ensure proper structural support under heavy module loads.
Q: Does this baseplate come with backplane slot covers? A: Unused slots should be protected from airborne conductive dust and debris using slot covers (IC695ACC302). While the backplane will function with empty slots, installing covers is strongly recommended in industrial environments.
Q: What is the difference between the baseplate and an expansion baseplate like the IC695CHS016? A: The is a 12-slot universal baseplate supporting both RX3i PCI and legacy serial buses, making it suitable as a main controller rack. Expansion baseplates (like the 16-slot serial expansion racks) are used purely for remote/expansion I/O drop locations and do not support RX3i PCI processors directly.
Q: Are your surplus baseplates inspected for backplane pin damage? A: Yes. Every unit in our surplus stock undergoes rigorous physical pin inspection across all 12 dual-bus slot connectors, full power-rail voltage verification, and complete backplane load testing before being sealed in protective packaging.
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