GE IC695ETM001-CC Ethernet TCP/IP Interface Module

Description

In the fast-evolving landscape of industrial automation, where isolated PLC islands hinder real-time visibility and force operators to juggle multiple HMIs or manual data logs, the cost of disconnected control is no longer just inefficiency—it’s lost opportunity and risk. Engineers in multi-zone process control environments regularly face bottlenecks from bandwidth-constrained serial links, protocol translation overhead that delays alarms by seconds, or the security exposure of unmanaged Ethernet drops that invite unauthorized access. These gaps fracture system-wide situational awareness and inflate integration budgets with third-party gateways or custom middleware. The GE IC695ETM001-CC counters this decisively as a single-port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet TCP/IP interface module for GE’s RX3i PACSystems, engineered to embed full-duplex, auto-negotiating connectivity directly into the backplane—transforming a standalone PAC into a networked node with zero external hardware.

Consider a food processing plant where an RX3i controls fillers, cookers, and packers across three lines, but production data only reaches the MES via nightly USB dumps—or a water utility where pump stations on RX3i PACs sit dark to the SCADA until a technician drives out with a laptop. The GE IC695ETM001-CC becomes mission-critical when seamless, high-reliability Ethernet integration is required to unify I/O signals, alarms, and historian tags under one IP umbrella. It eliminates serial bottlenecks by supporting up to 48 simultaneous TCP connections—enough for SCADA, HMI, OPC UA clients, and remote programming—all while passing PROFINET device data if paired with a PNC. In broader industrial automation contexts, it accelerates digital transformation by enabling secure remote access, firmware updates over the wire, and direct cloud connectors via MQTT or REST. For decision-makers, key differentiators include its 350 mA backplane draw, dual RJ-45 with auto-MDIX, and embedded web server—specs that shape rack power planning, cable runs, and cybersecurity posture. By dissolving these connectivity barriers, the GE IC695ETM001-CC forges a resilient, data-fluent automation fabric where every %I, %Q, and %AI flows freely to the enterprise, driving faster decisions and proactive uptime.

Slotting the GE IC695ETM001-CC into an RX3i universal backplane is like flipping a switch from isolated control to networked intelligence—it occupies any I/O slot (local or remote), draws 5 VDC from the bus, and exposes a single shielded RJ-45 port with integrated magnetics for direct CAT5e/6 connection up to 100 meters. Auto-negotiation handles 10/100 Mbps and full/half duplex, while auto-MDIX eliminates crossover cable guesswork. Internally, it runs a hardened TCP/IP stack with ARP, ICMP, UDP, and TCP services, mapping PAC memory (%R, %AI, %M) to Modbus TCP server ports (502) and SRTP client/server channels for Proficy and third-party access.

In the control stack, it resides in the communications layer, sitting parallel to the CPU (e.g., IC695CPE400) and below SCADA/ERP systems, enabling bidirectional data flow: a remote operator writes a setpoint to %AQ via Modbus TCP; the GE IC695ETM001-CC validates the packet, updates the register, and the CPU executes the change—all within a 5 ms scan. Diagnostics are comprehensive—front-panel LEDs show LINK, ACT, 100 Mbps, and FAULT, while %S status bits report IP conflicts, connection drops, or port errors, routable to HMIs or email via ladder logic. The embedded web server serves module health, connection tables, and a live %R browser—no software install needed. Security is layered: IP filtering, port disablement, and password-protected SRTP. Picture the workflow: a filler fault sets %M100; the ETM pushes it to an Ignition SCADA via SRTP, while a maintenance tech in another state connects via Proficy to download a logic update—all over the same secure Ethernet pipe. For integrators, its hot-swap design and DHCP/static IP config via Proficy minimize downtime, making the GE IC695ETM001-CC the de facto Ethernet lifeline for RX3i process control.

Deploying the GE IC695ETM001-CC unlocks a cascade of operational gains—starting with real-time visibility: alarms that once waited for a polling cycle now push instantly to HMIs and mobile apps via SRTP, shaving minutes off mean-time-to-response in safety loops. Bandwidth scales with demand; 48 TCP sockets support dense data logging to historians while leaving headroom for remote programming, eliminating the “no one can touch the PLC during production” bottleneck.

Security hardens without add-ons: IP whitelisting blocks rogue scans, and SRTP encryption shields logic uploads from packet sniffers—critical in shared plant networks. Maintenance shifts to proactive: the web server’s connection monitor flags a dropped SCADA link before operators notice stale data, and firmware updates deploy over Ethernet in under two minutes, no ladder downtime. Commissioning accelerates—Proficy’s auto-discovery pings the module, pre-populates IP settings, and validates Modbus maps in one pass, cutting network integration from days to hours.

Over the lifecycle, the module’s auto-MDIX and dual-speed support future-proof cabling; a plant upgrading from 10 to 100 Mbps needs only a switch change. It’s a force multiplier for RX3i systems—turning isolated controllers into collaborative assets that reduce data latency, lower integration costs, and elevate process control from reactive to predictive.

The GE IC695ETM001-CC excels in beverage canning lines, where it networks RX3i fillers to a plant-wide Ignition SCADA, pushing fill weights, fault codes, and OEE metrics in real time while supporting remote recipe downloads during changeovers. In municipal lift stations, it connects remote RX3i pump controllers to a central DCS via Modbus TCP over fiber, ensuring critical system uptime with encrypted SRTP for secure off-site diagnostics.

Pharmaceutical clean utilities rely on it to tie RX3i skid controllers into a DeltaV overlay, streaming validated temperature and conductivity data while the web server enables audit-ready access logs. From solar inverter farms to automotive paint circulation systems, the GE IC695ETM001-CC anchors industrial automation with robust, secure Ethernet connectivity that drives compliance and agility.

IC695ETM001-DB – Earlier revision without web server

IC695PNC001 – PROFINET controller for device-level networking

IC695CMM002 – Serial comms module for legacy integration

IC695CPE400 – Rackless CPU with built-in Ethernet (alternative)

IC695CHS012 – 12-slot backplane for multi-module racks

IC694CBL330 – Shielded Ethernet patch cable (3 m)

IC695PSA140 – 140 W PSU for high-comms loads

IC695RMX128 – Redundancy memory module for high-availability

Before inserting the GE IC695ETM001-CC, confirm backplane power—350 mA @ 5 V fits most PSUs, but verify with Proficy’s rack planner if running with ALG or motion modules. Pre-configure IP settings in Machine Edition (static preferred for control networks); enable SRTP and Modbus TCP services, and set a strong admin password. Use CAT5e/6 shielded cable, ground the shield at the switch end only, and route away from 480 V runs by >12 inches. Bench-test with a laptop: ping the module, access the web server (default 192.168.0.100), and verify SRTP login before rack-up. After insertion, monitor LINK/ACT LEDs—solid green + blinking amber confirms negotiation; if FAULT flashes, check IP conflicts or reseat.

Maintenance is light but disciplined: monthly web server checks for connection table health—drop any stale sockets via the reset button. Quarterly, cycle power to clear ARP cache and verify auto-negotiation with a managed switch’s port stats. In dusty plants, inspect the RJ-45 latch annually for debris; clean with compressed air. A persistent FAULT LED usually traces to duplicate IP—use the module’s MAC (printed on faceplate) to isolate via switch logs. This lean, diagnostics-driven cadence keeps the GE IC695ETM001-CC as a set-and-forget network bridge, letting you focus on data value, not connectivity fires.