IS230TBTCH2C - Thermocouple Input Terminal Board

SPECIFICATIONS

Part No.: IS230TBTCH2C
Manufacturer: General Electric
Country of Manufacture: United States of America (USA)
Temperature: -30 to +65 oC
Product Type: Thermocouple Terminal Board
Availability: In Stock
Series: Mark VIe

Functional Description

IS230TBTCH2C is a Thermocouple Terminal Board developed by GE. It is a part of the Mark VIe control system. It monitors and measures temperature inputs by connecting thermocouples to the system’s I/O processor. The board is designed to accept a wide range of thermocouple types and ensures precise communication between the thermocouples and the control system, making it ideal for use in industrial control applications where temperature monitoring is essential.

Communication with I/O Processor

Communication between the terminal board and the I/O processor is accomplished via D-type connectors. These connectors provide the necessary interface to transmit the thermocouple input signals to the system’s VME rack or I/O packs in Mark VIe systems. The Mark VIe system relies on the terminal board's J-type connectors to communicate with the I/O packs, which are necessary for achieving the required level of redundancy in critical systems.

Installation of the Terminal Board

• Thermocouple Wiring: Thermocouples are directly wired to two I/O terminal blocks mounted on the terminal board. Each terminal block is removable and secured with two screws for ease of installation and maintenance.
• Wire Capacity: Each terminal block supports up to #12 AWG wires, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of thermocouple wiring gauges.
• Shield Terminal Strip: A shield terminal strip is provided on the left side of each terminal block. This terminal strip is attached to chassis ground to enhance electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and reduce noise in the signal transmission.
• Mark VI and Mark VIe Systems: In Mark VI systems, cables are routed from the terminal board’s J-type connectors to the I/O processors within the VME rack. In Mark VIe systems, I/O packs are plugged into the terminal board’s J-type connectors to handle data transmission. The number of cables or I/O packs depends on the level of redundancy required for the system.

Diagnostics and Fault Detection

• Hardware Limit Checking (HLC): Each supported thermocouple type is monitored for high and low hardware limits. These limits are preset (non-configurable) and are set near the ends of the thermocouple’s operating range. If the temperature exceeds these limits, a logic signal is triggered, and the input is no longer scanned. If any thermocouple input reaches its hardware limit, a composite diagnostic alarm is generated to alert the system of a potential issue.
• Connector Identification: Each terminal board connector has an ID device that is queried by the I/O board. This ID device contains a read-only chip that includes the terminal board’s serial number, board type, revision number, and the J connector location. If there is a mismatch between the terminal board’s ID and the I/O board, a hardware incompatibility fault is triggered.
• Open Circuit Detection: During operation, a small test current is injected into each thermocouple input path. This test is designed to detect open circuits in the thermocouple wiring. If a thermocouple is open, the current injection will cause the temperature reading to spike, helping identify potential issues in the wiring or sensor integrity. 

The WOC team is always available to help you with your Mark VIe requirements. For more information, please contact WOC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IS230TBTCH2C?
It is a Thermocouple Terminal Board developed by GE under the Mark VIe series.

How many thermocouple inputs does the Board support?
The terminal board can support up to 24 thermocouple inputs. These inputs can be from Type E, J, K, S, or T thermocouples, offering versatility for different temperature measurement requirements.

How are the thermocouples connected to the terminal board?
The thermocouples are connected to the board via two removable I/O terminal blocks. These blocks are secured with two screws, and each block has 24 terminals that accept up to 12 AWG wire. The connection ensures a secure and stable wiring configuration.

What is the communication interface between the terminal board and the I/O processor?
Communication with the I/O processor occurs through D-type connectors on the Board. For Mark VI systems, cables are routed from the terminal board’s J-type connectors to the I/O processors in the VME rack. In Mark VIe systems, I/O packs plug into the board’s J-type connectors for communication.