IC660BBA101K - Input Block

SPECIFICATIONS

Part No.: IC660BBA101K
Manufacturer: General Electric
Country of Manufacture: United States of America (USA)
Rated Voltage: 115 VAC / 125 VDC
No.of of Points: 6
Inputs: Platinum, Nickel or Copper RTDs
Calibration: Factory
Operating Voltage: 93-132 VAC / 105-145 VDC
Points per Common: 3 groups of 2
Product Type: Input Block
Availability: In Stock
Series: VersaMax

Functional Description

IC660BBA101K is an Input Block developed by GE. It is part of the VersaMax series. Designed for industrial applications requiring accurate temperature monitoring, it is a component of the Genius I/O Series by GE Fanuc. This module operates at a rated voltage of 115 VAC or 125 VDC, offering flexibility in different power environments.

RTD Temperature Monitoring

Specifically built to monitor temperature inputs from Resistive Temperature Detectors (RTDs). It is capable of detecting temperature variations as small as one-tenth of a degree, making it ideal for precision monitoring. There are two similar models in this RTD input block range: the IC660BBA101 (115 VAC/125 VDC) and the IC660BBA124 (48 VDC), with the only difference being their input power requirements.

Input Configuration

This block includes six RTD-compatible inputs, organized in three isolated and independent sets of two inputs each. These fully isolated circuits allow users to connect RTDs made from platinum, copper, or nickel, providing versatility across a wide range of temperature-sensing applications. The independent input sets enhance reliability and reduce interference between channels.

Self-Regulating Operation

Self-regulating design. An integrated multiplexer is responsible for switching the A/D converter between active RTD inputs and internal reference resistors. The block supports a resistance range of 0 to 5,000 ohms, allowing it to interpret signals from a wide variety of RTD types with accuracy.

Configuration and Display Options

The module can be configured to process data in Celsius, Fahrenheit, ohms, or counts, depending on user preferences. For setup and control, the IC66HHM501D handheld monitor is recommended and fully compatible. This handheld monitor not only aids in configuration but also enables users to view real-time data and diagnostics directly on-site.

Customizable Parameters

Users can configure a range of input parameters including input filter time, RTD resistance, linearization, alpha-type selection, and alarm thresholds. These settings enhance the flexibility and accuracy of temperature measurements. Importantly, recalibration is not required, as the module comes factory-calibrated for long-term use.

Advanced Diagnostics

Includes built-in automatic diagnostic features. It performs circuit diagnostics to identify issues such as open wires, internal faults, input short detection, and wiring errors. These diagnostics are reported to both the handheld monitor and the CPU, depending on user configuration. Fault reporting can be enabled or disabled circuit by circuit, providing granular control over system monitoring.

Alarm and Fault Management

While most fault conditions do not interrupt block functions and do not require manual intervention, High or Low Input Alarm faults must be cleared before detection can restart. The system ensures that faults are flagged immediately, allowing users to take corrective action when necessary without impacting overall block performance.

Diagnostics

• Input Diagnostics: RTD Input Blocks are equipped with comprehensive circuit diagnostics to ensure accuracy, reliability, and early fault detection. These diagnostics monitor various fault conditions in real-time, helping users quickly identify and respond to issues such as wiring errors, signal anomalies, and sensor malfunctions. Active input circuits can be configured to suppress fault messages to the CPU, but they will still report diagnostics to the Hand-held Monitor. Additionally, when the CPU sends a Read Diagnostic datagram, the block responds with the current diagnostics for all active circuits, regardless of whether CPU fault reporting is enabled or not. Inactive circuits do not report diagnostic data. For continued accuracy, fault conditions must be cleared before detection of the same fault can be re-enabled. For instance, even after a temperature drops back to normal from a High Alarm, the fault must be cleared manually to reactivate alarm detection.
• Shorted Input: A shorted input condition occurs when an RTD input is electrically shorted. This prevents proper resistance measurement and can lead to inaccurate temperature readings. A shorted circuit may be due to improper wiring or a failed RTD sensor. When detected, the block flags this diagnostic so the condition can be investigated and corrected.
• Wiring Error: The Wiring Error diagnostic is triggered when the connections between the RTD and the Terminal Assembly are incorrect. These miswirings can result in false input readings or circuit failure. To resolve this issue, the field wiring must be inspected and corrected according to the wiring diagram printed on the faceplate of the block. Proper wiring ensures stable and accurate signal acquisition from the RTDs.
• Open Wire: An Open Wire diagnostic indicates insufficient current flow through the input circuit, which typically means the RTD is not properly connected, has failed, or is missing altogether. It may also signal a loss of excitation current in the circuit. This diagnostic helps prevent misleading readings by notifying users of a broken or disconnected circuit.
• Overrange: The Overrange condition occurs when the input signal corresponds to a temperature above the allowable upper limit. These limits vary depending on the RTD type-
  • Platinum RTDs: +850oC or +1562oF
  • Nickel RTDs: +250oC or +482°F
  • Other RTDs: +3276.7oC or +3276.7oF
  • This fault is only reported when temperature units are selected. When Overrange occurs, the block sends a diagnostic message and may substitute a predefined maximum value for the input.
• Underrange: The Underrange diagnostic is triggered when the input signal corresponds to a temperature below the minimum supported range. These limits include:
  • Platinum RTDs: -200oC or -328oF
  • Nickel RTDs: -60oC or -76oF
  • Other RTDs: -3276.7oC or -3276.7oF
  • When this happens, it may indicate a fault in the RTD sensor or wiring. Instead of sending the actual input value, the block uses a predefined Underrange value to represent the fault condition.
• Low Alarm / High Alarm: Each RTD input on the block can be configured with custom low and high alarm thresholds. If an input value exceeds these user-defined limits, a Low Alarm or High Alarm diagnostic is issued. These alarms are triggered only once when the limit is crossed. They remain active until the user manually clears the fault, even if the temperature returns to within acceptable limits.
• Internal Fault: An Internal Fault is reported when the auto-calibration readings for a pair of input channels fall outside of acceptable tolerances. When this fault occurs, the block outputs a zero reading for both channels in the affected pair, indicating they are no longer reliable. The solution to this fault is typically to replace the Electronics Assembly, as it signals a hardware-level issue.

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 IC660BBA101K?
It is an Input Block developed by GE under VersaMax series.

What happens when a shorted input is detected?
When a shorted input is detected, it indicates that the RTD input is electrically shorted, which prevents accurate resistance measurement and temperature readings. This could be due to faulty wiring or a malfunctioning RTD sensor. The block flags this fault, and the wiring or sensor needs to be inspected and fixed.

How can I fix a Wiring Error fault?
A Wiring Error fault occurs when the connections between the RTD and the block's Terminal Assembly are incorrect. To resolve this, refer to the wiring diagram on the block’s faceplate and ensure that the wiring is correctly configured according to the specifications.

What does the Open Wire diagnostic indicate?
The Open Wire diagnostic occurs when there is insufficient current flow through the RTD input circuit, typically because the RTD is disconnected, faulty, or missing. This alert helps prevent inaccurate readings by notifying you of broken or missing connections.

What is the Overrange diagnostic, and how does it work?
The Overrange diagnostic is triggered when the input temperature exceeds the maximum allowed value for the connected RTD. The acceptable upper limits depend on the type of RTD in use (e.g., platinum, nickel). When Overrange occurs, the block reports this fault and may substitute a predefined maximum value for the input temperature reading.

What causes the Underrange diagnostic?
The Underrange diagnostic is triggered when the input temperature falls below the minimum supported value for the RTD. This can indicate a fault in the RTD or wiring. Instead of reporting the actual temperature value, the block uses a predefined Underrange value to represent the fault.