GE IC695ETM001-EM Ethernet Communication Module

Product Details

IC695ETM001-EM Product Description

The GE IC695ETM001 is a high-performance Ethernet Communication Module engineered for the GE PACSystems RX3i platform, delivering seamless industrial data connectivity across the full automation stack. Designed to bridge field-level devices with enterprise-level systems, the IC695ETM001 supports dual-port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet with simultaneous SRTP (Service Request Transfer Protocol) and Modbus TCP communication — enabling real-time data exchange between PLCs, SCADA platforms, HMI terminals, remote I/O nodes, and edge computing gateways in demanding smart factory environments.

At NANKMOS, every IC695ETM001 unit is pre-shipment tested, backed by a 12-month warranty, and maintained in global inventory for rapid deployment and critical maintenance replacement cycles.

In a modern smart factory, the IC695ETM001 serves as the central Ethernet communication backbone for the GE PACSystems RX3i controller rack. The data flow begins at the field level, where sensors, proximity switches, and analog transmitters feed real-time process values into the RX3i CPU — typically an IC695CPE305 or IC695CPE400 — via discrete and analog I/O modules such as the IC695ALG600 (analog input) and IC695MDL654 (discrete output). These raw signals are processed by the CPU and made available to the network through the IC695ETM001's dual Ethernet ports.

Upstream, the IC695ETM001 communicates via SRTP with SCADA servers running platforms such as GE iFIX or Wonderware, enabling real-time data visualization, alarm management, and historical trending. Simultaneously, the module's Modbus TCP stack allows direct integration with third-party HMI panels — including Weintek cMT series and Siemens TP700 Comfort — without requiring protocol converters or additional gateways. This dual-protocol capability eliminates data silos between legacy Modbus devices and modern SRTP-based control networks.

For distributed architectures, the IC695ETM001 supports Ethernet Global Data (EGD) peer-to-peer communication, allowing multiple RX3i racks — each equipped with their own IC695ETM001 — to exchange producer/consumer data blocks at deterministic scan rates. This is particularly valuable in multi-zone manufacturing lines where a GE IC695PSD040 power supply feeds each rack and coordinated motion or process data must be shared across zones without routing through a central SCADA server.

At the edge layer, the IC695ETM001's Ethernet port connects to industrial managed switches such as the Moxa EDS-510A or Hirschmann RS20, which provide VLAN segmentation, IGMP snooping for EGD multicast traffic, and redundant ring topologies (MRP/RSTP) to ensure network uptime in harsh production environments. From the switch, data flows to edge computing gateways — such as the Advantech ECU-1251 — where local analytics, OEE calculations, and anomaly detection algorithms process the RX3i data before forwarding aggregated results to cloud-based MES or ERP platforms.

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) and servo controllers on the production line — including GE AF-650GP series drives — can be monitored and parameterized via Modbus TCP through the IC695ETM001, enabling remote speed reference adjustment, fault code retrieval, and energy consumption logging directly from the SCADA layer without requiring dedicated fieldbus wiring. This integration supports predictive maintenance workflows by correlating drive fault events with PLC alarm logs and production throughput data in real time.

Many industrial sites operating GE PACSystems RX3i controllers face persistent challenges: protocol fragmentation between legacy serial Modbus RTU devices and modern Ethernet-based systems, data islands where PLC process values never reach the SCADA or MES layer, and limited remote visibility into machine states during off-hours or multi-shift operations. The IC695ETM001 directly addresses these gaps.

Protocol Unification: By supporting SRTP and Modbus TCP simultaneously on the same physical Ethernet ports, the IC695ETM001 eliminates the need for standalone protocol converters between GE RX3i controllers and third-party HMI or SCADA systems. Sites running mixed-vendor environments — with Schneider Electric Modicon PLCs or Omron NX-series controllers on adjacent lines — can integrate RX3i data into a unified SCADA namespace without additional middleware.

Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics: The IC695ETM001 exposes full PLC register maps over Modbus TCP, enabling remote engineering teams to read I/O states, CPU fault tables, and program status from any network-connected workstation or mobile device. Combined with a VPN-enabled industrial router, this capability supports 24/7 remote diagnostics, reducing on-site maintenance visits and mean time to repair (MTTR) for critical production equipment.

Production Line Transparency: Through EGD peer-to-peer data sharing, the IC695ETM001 enables real-time KPI broadcasting across multiple RX3i racks — feeding OEE dashboards, cycle time monitors, and reject rate counters directly from PLC data without polling overhead. This transparency supports lean manufacturing initiatives and rapid response to production anomalies.

Alarm Tracking and System Expansion: The module's high-throughput Ethernet connectivity supports large alarm tables and event logs that can be forwarded to SCADA historian databases for root-cause analysis and regulatory compliance reporting. As production capacity grows, additional RX3i racks with IC695ETM001 modules can be added to the EGD network without architectural redesign, providing a scalable path for smart factory expansion.

Q1: What is the communication latency of the IC695ETM001 over Modbus TCP?The IC695ETM001 achieves typical Modbus TCP response times of 1–5 ms on a dedicated industrial Ethernet segment. Latency is primarily determined by network switch configuration and PLC scan cycle time. For time-critical applications, EGD peer-to-peer communication with configured exchange periods as low as 1 ms is recommended over standard Modbus TCP polling.

Q2: Is the IC695ETM001 compatible with third-party SCADA and HMI systems?Yes. The IC695ETM001 supports standard Modbus TCP, making it compatible with virtually all major SCADA platforms including Wonderware InTouch, Ignition by Inductive Automation, Citect SCADA, and iFIX, as well as HMI panels from Weintek, Proface, and Siemens. SRTP connectivity is natively supported by GE iFIX and Proficy HMI/SCADA environments.

Q3: How does the IC695ETM001 ensure network stability in harsh industrial environments?The module supports auto-negotiation for 10/100 Mbps operation and is designed for installation in industrial control panels with operating temperatures up to 60°C. When paired with managed industrial switches supporting RSTP or MRP ring redundancy, the IC695ETM001 maintains network connectivity even during single-link failures, with failover times under 50 ms for ring topologies.

Q4: What warranty and pre-shipment testing does NANKMOS provide for the IC695ETM001?Every IC695ETM001 unit supplied by NANKMOS undergoes pre-shipment functional testing to verify Ethernet port integrity, protocol communication, and backplane interface operation. All units are covered by a 12-month warranty from the date of shipment. NANKMOS maintains global inventory of IC695ETM001 modules to support urgent replacement and maintenance requirements with fast lead times.