GE Fanuc IC697RCM711 – Redundancy Communications Module for Series 90-70 Hot-Standby Control

The GE Fanuc IC697RCM711 is the redundancy communications module used in Series 90-70 systems to coordinate hot-standby CPUs. In practical terms, it provides the high-speed controller-to-controller link and health signaling so your process can continue running if the primary rack drops. From my experience, plants typically deploy the IC697RCM711 in water treatment, power generation, and heavy manufacturing where downtime is painful and failover needs to be predictable. You might notice that it behaves like a dedicated “heartbeat + data” bridge between two racks, without adding conventional I/O—precisely the point for reliable switchover.

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• Warranty: 365 days
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Key Features

• Hot-Standby Link Coordination: Manages the dedicated path between primary and secondary 90‑70 racks for fast, deterministic switchover.
• Health and Status Signaling: Continuous exchange of heartbeat and diagnostics so the standby rack knows exactly when to assume control.
• Backplane Integration: Tight coupling to the IC697 backplane and CPU; no extra gateways needed for redundancy control.
• Clear Front-Panel Indicators: LED status typically shows link, activity, and error states—handy during commissioning.
• No Conflicts with I/O Scanning: Dedicated to redundancy; avoids loading normal fieldbus or I/O networks.
• Field-Proven in Legacy Fleets: In many cases, existing 90‑70 systems add the IC697RCM711 to extend life without rewriting application logic.

Anecdote from a maintenance lead at a metals plant: “We dropped in the RCM711 to stabilize the old 90‑70 pair. The switchover felt immediate on a forced fail, and operators barely noticed other than an event log entry.”

Technical Specifications

Related or Supporting Products

• IC697CPU771 / IC697CPU772 – 90‑70 CPUs frequently paired with the RCM for hot‑standby systems.
• IC697PWR711 / IC697PWR748 – Power supplies for the 90‑70 chassis; choose based on rack load.
• IC697CHS750 / IC697CHS791 – 90‑70 racks; make sure both primary and secondary racks match slot count and power capability.
• IC697BEM731 (Genius), IC697CMM742 (Ethernet) – Network modules often used alongside redundancy; note these handle I/O or Ethernet, while the RCM is strictly for controller redundancy.
• IC697RMX128 – In some 90‑70 redundancy architectures, Memory Xchange modules are used for larger data sets; the RCM remains the core switchover link.

Installation & Maintenance

• Cabinet & environment: Install in a clean, ventilated enclosure; allow front clearance for cabling and LED visibility. Maintain ambient 0–60 °C.
• Rack layout: Typically place the RCM near the CPU for shorter backplane paths; mirror the layout across primary/secondary racks.
• Cabling: Use the specified cable type for the redundancy link; route away from high‑noise power lines and VFDs.
• Grounding & shielding: Proper shield termination reduces nuisance failovers caused by noise spikes.
• Power-up sequence: Power both racks in a controlled order so they negotiate primary/standby correctly.
• Maintenance: Periodically check connector tightness, inspect LEDs/logs for link errors, and verify firmware alignment between pairs.
• Safety: Not hot‑swappable—de‑energize the rack before inserting or removing the module.
• Functional test: Perform a supervised switchover test after commissioning or firmware changes; document the observed takeover time.

Quality & Certifications

• Certifications: CE and UL/cUL are typical for Series 90‑70 modules; exact markings can vary by build.
• RoHS: Legacy 90‑70 units may predate RoHS; compliance depends on the manufacturing lot.
• Manufacturer Quality: Produced under ISO 9001 quality systems for industrial control hardware (typical for GE Fanuc era products).
• Warranty coverage: 365‑day warranty on this module from date of delivery.

One thing I appreciate is how the IC697RCM711 keeps redundancy logic off your I/O networks. It seems to be the quiet workhorse in many 90‑70 cabinets—once it’s wired and tested, it generally just runs.