IS230TBCIH6C - Contact Input with Group Isolation Terminal Board

SPECIFICATIONS:

Part Number: IS230TBCIH6C
Manufacturer: General Electric (GE)
Series: Mark VIe
Functional Acronym: TBCI
Number of Channels: 24
Product Type: Contact Input with Group Isolation Terminal Board
Hardware Revision: Group 6 Architecture, Revision C (H6C)
Redundancy Configuration: Triple Modular Redundant (TMR)
I/O Pack Interface: Three dedicated high-density DC-62 pin connectors matching JR1, JS1, and JT1 slots
Compatible I/O Pack: PDIA (Discrete Input Pack)
Discrete Logic Capacity: 24 dry contact inputs
Terminal Blocks: Two rows of 24-point pluggable barrier strips (accepts up to #12 AWG wires)
Excitation Voltage Rating: 24 V DC nominal tracking
Power Supply Logic Voltage: 28 V DC nominal (Operational window: 14 to 32 V DC)
Max Board Power Consumption: 20.6 W
Noise Mitigation: Integrated surge suppression filters per entry point
Form Factor / Mounting: DIN-rail mount module panel assembly
Circuit Board Protection: High-grade Conformal PCB Coating
Ambient Operating Temperature: -30°C to +65°C (-22°F to +149°F)
Relative Humidity Boundaries: 5% to 95% continuous profile, non-condensing
Repair Lead Time: 3-5 Business Days
Availability: In Stock
Country of Origin: United States
Manual: GEH-6721_Vol_II V

FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION OF IS230TBCIH6C:

IS230TBCIH6C is a Contact Input with Group Isolation Terminal Board manufactured and designed by General Electric as part of the Mark VIe Series used in GE Distributed Turbine Control Systems. The Contact Input with Group Isolation (TBCI) terminal board accepts 24 dry contact inputs wired through two barrier-type terminal blocks, with contact excitation power supplied directly to the board. Each input features noise suppression circuitry to protect against surges, transient voltages, and high-frequency interference, ensuring reliable operation even in electrically noisy industrial environments. Its group isolation design allows multiple inputs to share a common isolation barrier while preventing cross-talk, providing accurate and robust signal monitoring for complex control systems.

COMPATIBILITY:

The TBCI terminal board is fully compatible with the PDIA I/O pack and is designed to support a wide range of configurations, including simplex, dual, and Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) applications, providing flexibility for various control system architectures. Depending on the system requirements, one, two, or three PDIA modules can be installed directly onto the TBCI, allowing seamless integration and efficient use of available I/O channels. For installations with the Mark Vle control system, it is essential to use the C version of the TBCI board, which ensures the correct mechanical alignment of connector JTI with the I/O pack’s mechanical support. This alignment is critical for maintaining proper electrical connections, minimizing mechanical stress, and ensuring reliable long-term operation of the control system.

INSTALLATION:

Connect the wires for the 24 dry contact inputs directly to two I/O terminal blocks on the terminal board. These blocks are held down with two screws and can be unplugged from the board for maintenance. Each block has 24 terminals accepting up to #12 AWG wires. A shield terminal strip attached to chassis ground is located immediately to the left of each terminal block.
In a simplex system, connect the TBCI to the PDIA I/O pack using connector JR1. In a TMR system, connect TBCI to the three PDIAS using connectors JR1, JS1, and JT1. The PDIAS plug into TBCI and attach to side-mounting brackets. One or two Ethernet cables plug into the I/O pack. Firmware may need to be downloaded. Connect TBCI to the contact excitation voltage source using plugs JE1 and JE2.

OPERATION:

Filters reduce high-frequency noise and suppress surge on each input near the point of signal entry. The dry contact inputs on TBCI_IC are powered from a floating 125 V dc (100-145 V dc) supply from the turbine control. The 125 V dc bus is current-limited in the power distribution module prior to feeding each contact input. The H2, H3, and H4 versions use lower voltages (refer to the section, Specifications).

The discrete input voltage signals pass to the PDIA I/O pack, which sends them through optical isolators providing group isolation and transfers the signals to the Mark VIe controller. The reference voltage in the isolation circuits sets a transition threshold that is equal to 50% of the applied floating power supply voltage. The tracking is clamped to go no less than 13% of the nominal rated supply voltage to force all contacts to indicate open when voltage dips below this level.

A pair of terminal points is provided for each input, with one point (screw) providing the positive de source and the second point providing the return (input) to the board. The current loading is 2.5 mA per point for the first 21 inputs on each terminal board. The last three have a 10 mA load to support an interface with remote solid-state output electronics. Contact input circuitry is designed for NEMA Class G creepage and clearance.

WHY BUY FROM WORLD OF CONTROLS

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is the GE IS230TBCIH6C?

It is a 24-channel Contact Input Terminal Board with Group Isolation designed for GE Mark VIe control systems. It securely routes field dry contact signals to PDIA I/O packs across simplex, dual, or TMR configurations.

How does the group isolation loop protect the control architecture?

Signals run through optical isolators inside the attached I/O packs, establishing a shared isolation barrier. This blocks high-voltage field faults from crossing over to the internal 28V DC logic rails.

What happens to the input logic status if the loop excitation voltage drops?

The tracking loop clamps when the voltage falls below 13% of the nominal rating. This action safely forces all 24 discrete channels to display an open contact state.

Can the field wiring remain attached during terminal board maintenance?

Yes. The two rows of 24-point barrier terminal blocks are secured by two physical retention screws. The entire block can be unplugged from the PCB base without disconnecting the field wires.

What are the current loading differences across the 24 input channels?

The first 21 channels maintain a standard loading profile of 2.5 mA per point. The final 3 channels utilize a higher 10 mA load to support interfaces with remote solid-state electronics.