GE IC660BBA106 Six-channel current-source analog input block

Description

In chemical batch plants and wastewater treatment works, the GE IC660BBA106 captures 4-20 mA signals from conductivity probes, sludge density transmitters, and dosing pumps to keep processes within strict limits amid fluctuating loads and chemical aggression. Operators in pulp and paper mills or pharmaceutical filling lines depend on it for monitoring slurry flows, viscosity, or fill levels where a single drift could spoil batches or trigger spills. These setups face constant vibration from agitators, corrosive vapors, and power glitches; the GE IC660BBA106 powers loops internally while isolating channels to block noise, feeding clean data over Genius buses to PLCs for closed-loop adjustments in industrial automation. Refineries use it on distillation trays or compressor stations, trending pressures and temperatures that dictate throughput, while food processors link it to pasteurizers for precise heat control without sensor swaps. In power generation, it handles fuel flow or steam quality inputs, helping balance loads without overshooting alarms applicable in control systems. Retrofit teams favor it for upgrading old loops into Series 90-70 networks, preserving field wiring while adding diagnostics that cut troubleshooting time.​

Textile dye houses and metal finishing lines deploy the GE IC660BBA106 to track pH swings or plating currents across multiple tanks, its per-channel alarms alerting shifts before quality slips. Maintenance pros scan its fault reports via handheld monitors, pinpointing open wires or overranges without panel hunts, a real edge in spread-out MCCs.​

The GE IC660BBA106 serves as a six-channel current-source analog input block in GE Fanuc’s Genius I/O family, energizing field transmitters with built-in 24 VDC loop power while digitizing signals for host controllers. Each isolated input converts 4-20 mA (or 0-25 mA) via voltage-to-frequency methods, broadcasting data in 12-byte packets over the daisy-chained Genius bus at up to 153.6 kbaud. It snaps into terminal bases alongside digital blocks, forming remote drops that offload analog processing from the CPU in Series 90-30 or 90-70 PLCs​

Integrators set scaling, filters, and alarms channel-by-channel through handheld programmers, tailoring engineering units for HMIs without custom logic. During bus failures, it holds last-good values, safeguarding pumps or valves from erratic commands—a must in sequenced operations.​

Selectable conversion times from 16 ms to 400 ms let the GE IC660BBA106 balance speed against noise rejection, with 1 µA resolution at longer intervals suiting slow drifts like tank levels. Accuracy hits 0.1% full scale, thermal stability at 70 PPM/°C keeps readings trustworthy through summer peaks in non-air-conditioned vaults. Diagnostics flag underrange, overrange, high/low alarms, and open wires, routing alerts to operators for preemptive fixes​

The GE IC660BBA106‘s rugged shell mounts via rear screws to DIN rails, LEDs glowing for unit OK and I/O active amid 1500 Vrms isolation that shrugs off surges between blocks. At 12 W dissipation, it runs cool in stacked racks, 100 ohm impedance matching most loops without extra resistors. Vibration rating covers 1G sweeps, ideal for skid-mounted gear near presses.​

Fault reporting scans automatically, pushing messages to handheld monitors for quick isolation of cable breaks or transmitter faults common in wet areas.​

IC660BBA100 – Companion voltage/current I/O block with outputs, pairs with IC660BBA106 for mixed signal drops.​
IC660BBA026 – DC-powered (24/48 VDC) version of IC660BBA106 for grounded sites avoiding AC supplies​
IC660TBA106 – Terminal assembly matched to IC660BBA106 electronics for field wiring in enclosures.​
IC660EBA106 – Electronics-only module, combines with TBA106 for repairs on IC660BBA106 blocks.​
IC660BBD110 – RTD input block, complements IC660BBA106 current loops in temperature-heavy processes​
IC660ELB915 – Bus interface for tying IC660BBA106 drops to Series 90-30 PLCs over Genius​
IC660BBA023 – Thermocouple input variant, extends IC660BBA106 setups to multi-sensor fusion.​

Site surveys before dropping in the GE IC660BBA106 confirm terminal base spacing for 4-inch wire bends and shield drains tied to chassis only at the block to kill ground loops. Match baud and address to the bus scan via handheld first, torquing power terminals to 7 in-lbs since undervoltage mutes diagnostics quietly. Segment lengths under 1000 m with terminators prevent reflections on long transmitter runs.​

For the GE IC660BBA106, log alarm histories quarterly from the host, eyeing open-wire counts that signal failing loops early. Wipe terminals yearly in dusty spots, cycle inputs to verify scaling, and benchmark conversion times against process dynamics—shorter for flows, longer for levels. Firmware consistency across drops via snapshots eases swaps when spares rotate in.