SPECIFICATIONS
Part No.: IC200ALG260
Manufacturer: General Electric
Product Type: Expandable CPU Module
Availability: In Stock
No. of channels: 8 single-ended, one group
Voltage Range: -10 to +10 volts DC, 0 - 10 VDC
Current Range: 4 - 20 mA
Update Rate: 0.4 ms
Input Filter Response: 5.0 ms
Power Consumption: 130 mA from +5V bus
Series: VersaMax
Functional Description
IC200ALG260 is an expandable CPU module developed by GE Fanuc. It is an advanced 8-channel, 12-bit Voltage/Current Analog Input Module from the GE Fanuc Versamax series, designed to interface with various analog devices in industrial automation systems. This module is engineered to accommodate both voltage and current inputs.
Features
- Eight Isolated Input Channels: Provides eight independent, isolated input channels, ensuring reliable and noise-free operation. This isolation helps prevent interference and enhances signal integrity, making it suitable for complex industrial environments.
- 16-bit Resolution: The module supports 16-bit resolution for input data, offering high precision in both monitoring and control tasks. This resolution allows for accurate measurements across a wide range of analog signals.
- Flexible Input Options: Each channel can be individually configured to accept either 4-20mA current or ±10V voltage inputs. This flexibility allows the module to interface with various sensor types and signal ranges.
- Software-Configurable Features: The module has software-configurable options such as selectable input filters and default values for each channel. This makes the module adaptable to specific operational requirements, enabling users to fine-tune the system based on the environment or application needs.
- Customizable Performance: Users can configure under-range and over-range levels, as well as select specific input filters for each channel, ensuring the module performs optimally in diverse application scenarios. These customizable features enhance the module’s versatility and robustness.
Diagnostics and Indicators
The module has diagnostic features that ensure optimal performance and quick detection of any faults. These diagnostics are essential in maintaining system integrity and reducing potential downtime. The module can detect a variety of fault conditions, such as underrange or overrange inputs, which may indicate issues with connected sensors or external devices. It also identifies open wire conditions, where a break in the connection could compromise the signal flow, ensuring that any connectivity problems are immediately flagged. In addition, the module can monitor for loss of power, non-volatile memory faults, and high or low alarm conditions, alerting operators to abnormalities that could affect system stability. This advanced diagnostic capability not only minimizes downtime but also enables faster troubleshooting, allowing maintenance teams to address issues efficiently and accurately.
LED Indicators for Easy Monitoring
The module incorporates LED indicators that provide clear visual feedback on the status of the system. These indicators serve as a quick reference for operators to check the operational health of the module. Among the key indicators are:
- INT PWR (Internal Power): This LED indicator is designed to show the status of the internal power supply to the module. When illuminated, it confirms that the module is receiving adequate power to operate correctly, ensuring the system is fully powered and functional. If the light is off, it may indicate a power issue that needs to be addressed.
- OK Indicator: The OK LED indicator is another essential feature, signaling the availability of backplane power. When the backplane power is present and operational, the OK indicator lights up, confirming that the communication and power distribution to the module are functioning properly. If this LED is off, it may suggest a fault or loss of power from the backplane, which could affect the overall system's ability to function.
These indicators simplify monitoring, providing operators with immediate visual feedback on the system's status without needing to access complex diagnostics menus. They help ensure that the system is continuously performing at its best and allow for timely intervention when needed.
Power Requirements
- 24V Power Supply: The module requires a 24V power supply connected to terminals A17 and A18 for isolated input operations, ensuring reliable and stable performance in critical applications.
- Power Consumption: Draws 130 milliamps from a 5V bus voltage source for its operations. Proper connection of the current flow is essential when using the current mode input. Both negative terminals of the channel need to be connected to ensure accurate measurements.
Compatibility and Installation
- It is compatible with PLC CPU firmware version 1.20 or later, ensuring smooth integration with modern automation systems and allowing users to benefit from the latest advancements in industrial control technologies.
- One of the standout features of this module is its support for hot insertion. This means that the module can be inserted or removed from the system while it is powered, without causing any disruption to the overall operation. This feature is particularly useful for systems that require frequent maintenance or expansion.
- The module can be installed on terminal-style I/O carriers or compact versions of the same style. This modular installation setup enhances ease of use, and the cable shield can be directly connected to the carrier to improve signal integrity and reduce noise interference.
Performance Specifications
- Offers a fast 0.4 milliseconds-rated update time and a 5 milliseconds input filter time. This ensures quick and accurate data acquisition, which is critical for real-time control and monitoring applications.
- In current mode, the module operates with a 4 to 20mA input range, a 200 Ohms input impedance, and a resolution of 4 microamps. These specifications allow for precise current measurements and ensure that the module responds swiftly to input changes, making it suitable for applications where fast and accurate data is essential.
Cable Shield Connections for Optimal Grounding
Proper cable shielding is essential for reducing electrical noise and maintaining the integrity of signal transmission in industrial control systems. Grounding the cable shield at the appropriate point in the system is crucial for ensuring stable and reliable operation. If possible, ground the cable shield at the source device to prevent interference from affecting the data being transmitted. This is the most ideal configuration because it prevents noise from entering the system in the first place. However, in some cases, grounding at the source device may not be feasible. In such scenarios, the cable shield should be grounded at the I/O module, which serves as the next best option to mitigate any unwanted electromagnetic interference.
Using Auxiliary I/O Terminals for Grounding
- If direct grounding at the source device or I/O module is not an option, Auxiliary I/O Terminals can be used to connect the cable shield. These terminals allow for an easy and effective way to establish a ground connection, improving the overall system performance. The Auxiliary I/O Terminal can be attached to different types of I/O carriers, depending on the configuration of the system.
- When the module is installed on a Terminal-style I/O Carrier, you can make the shield connection using an Auxiliary I/O Terminal that is directly attached to the I/O carrier. This ensures that the shield is properly grounded and protects the system from potential noise or disruptions in communication. Similarly, for modules installed on a Compact Terminal-style I/O Carrier, grounding can still be achieved using an Auxiliary I/O Terminal mounted near the I/O carrier. In this case, it is important to ground the Auxiliary I/O Terminal Strip to complete the grounding process.
Grounding via Interposing Terminals
For systems that utilize a Connector-style I/O Carrier, a more direct approach to grounding the cable shield is available. The shield can be connected directly to an Interposing Terminal, which should also be grounded to ensure effective noise suppression. It is highly recommended to use a shielded interposing cable between the Interposing Terminal and the Connector Base to enhance protection from electromagnetic interference. Additionally, custom shielded cables can be created using the Connector kit for greater flexibility and optimal performance. For those using standard interposing cables , a custom shield braid can be wrapped around the cables for added shielding. If this method is used, it is important to ground the shield braid to complete the process and prevent any potential issues with signal noise.
Physical and Environmental Characteristics
- It has compact dimensions of 4.3 x 2.63 x 1.956 inches, making it suitable for installation in various industrial settings where space might be a constraint.
- It is designed for use in distributed I/O systems, enabling easy expansion of the input capabilities in a Versamax system.
The WOC team is always available to help you with your Mark I and II requirements. For more information, please contact WOC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IC200ALG260?
It is an expandable CPU module developed by GE under VersaMax series.
Does the module provide diagnostic features?
Yes, it has comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, including under/over range detection, open wire detection, loss of power, non-volatile memory fault detection, and high/low alarm conditions.
What LED indicators are present?
INT PWR LED Indicates the presence of internally-generated field power in the analog field-side circuit. OK LED Indicates the presence of backplane power.
What power supply is required for the module?
The module requires a 24V power supply connected to terminals A17 and A18 for operation.
How is it configured?
Configuration is done through software, allowing the selection of input types (voltage or current), input filters, default values, and under/over range levels for each channel.