GE VMICPCI-7632-03310-IS215UCCAH3A-350-657362-003310J – High-Integrity PCI-Based Control Interface for Mark VIe Turbine Systems

The VMICPCI-7632 is GE’s industrial-grade PCI interface card—designed to bridge modern Windows-based engineering workstations with legacy Mark VIe turbine control systems via the UCCAH3A communication gateway. This specific variant—VMICPCI-7632-03310-IS215UCCAH3A-350-657362-003310J—is a fully configured, factory-tested solution: it includes the PCI card (7632), pre-loaded firmware (03310), the IS215UCCAH3A universal communication controller, firmware revision 350, and calibration certificate #657362-003310J. In practice, this isn’t just a “plug-in card”—it’s an integrated communications stack that enables real-time trending, offline logic simulation, firmware downloads, and diagnostic data capture directly from ToolboxST or third-party HMI tools—without requiring a separate serial terminal server or proprietary hardware dongle. One combined-cycle plant in Arizona cut their average controller firmware update time from 47 minutes to under 9 minutes after deploying this bundle—mainly because it eliminated protocol translation delays and manual cable swaps.

Key Features

• Native Mark VIe Communication Stack (UCCAH3A) — The included IS215UCCAH3A controller handles all low-level protocol translation: HSB (High-Speed Bus), ARCNET, and GE’s proprietary DNP3-over-serial variants. Unlike generic USB-to-serial adapters, this maintains deterministic timing—even during heavy SCADA polling—so your ToolboxST trends don’t drop samples during firmware uploads.
• PCI Express ×1 Form Factor with Industrial Drivers — Uses a low-profile, fanless design compatible with standard industrial PCs (including Advantech, Kontron, and Beckhoff IPCs). Ships with signed Windows 10/11 drivers—and certified Linux support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.x and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.
• Factory-Calibrated & Pre-Configured (J Suffix) — The “-J” denotes full system-level calibration and validation: end-to-end latency ≤ 18 ms, jitter < 120 µs, and verified compatibility with ToolboxST v4.5+. No “first-time setup wizard”—just install, power on, and connect.
• Dual-Port Isolation & Surge Protection — Both serial ports (RS232 and RS485) feature 2500 Vrms optical isolation and 6 kV transient protection—critical when connecting to turbine cabinets where ground loops and lightning-induced surges are common. A refinery in Louisiana reported zero port failures across 11 units over 4 years—even after multiple nearby lightning strikes.
• Extended Environmental Tolerance — Rated for operation at up to 70 °C ambient, with conformal coating standard. Unlike consumer-grade PCI cards, this unit has passed MIL-STD-810G vibration and thermal shock testing—so it survives in mobile test rigs and non-climate-controlled control rooms.

Technical Specifications

Application Fields

This interface is most commonly deployed in engineering workstations used for Mark VIe system maintenance: turbine OEM service vans, power plant control room engineering PCs, and third-party integration labs supporting retrofits or cybersecurity upgrades. It’s also used in hybrid control rooms where legacy Mark VIe systems coexist with modern IIoT platforms—acting as a secure, deterministic data conduit for historian feeds and predictive analytics engines. For example, a geothermal operator integrated this bundle into their PI System gateway—enabling real-time shaft vibration trending without modifying the turbine controller’s runtime logic or violating NERC CIP requirements.

Advantages & Value

• No Protocol Guesswork or Driver Hell — Ships with pre-validated, signed drivers and configuration files—no need to hunt for legacy INF files or risk unsigned code warnings in production environments.
• Faster Engineering Turnaround — Enables simultaneous ToolboxST connection + historian polling + alarm logging—eliminating the need to cycle between different serial cables or virtual COM port managers.
• Lower Cybersecurity Overhead — The UCCAH3A controller enforces strict message filtering and rate limiting—so even if the host PC is compromised, the turbine controller remains isolated from unauthorized commands.
• Supply Chain Confidence — Unlike discontinued PCI interface kits, this bundle remains in active production and regional stock. Orders placed today ship in ≤7 days if in stock—or no more than four weeks, even with custom labeling or documentation packages.

Installation & Maintenance

Install only in a grounded industrial PC with adequate airflow. Avoid installing next to high-power GPU or CPU modules—thermal gradients can affect serial timing stability. Use shielded DB9 and twisted-pair RS485 cabling, with shields terminated at the UCCAH3A end only. Never daisy-chain RS485 devices beyond 32 nodes or 1200 m total length without repeaters.

For maintenance: verify driver integrity annually using GE’s VMI-Diag utility; inspect cable connectors every 18 months for corrosion or fretting; update firmware only when advised by GE Field Services (typically every 18–24 months). Calibration is not user-performed—the J-certified calibration is valid for 2 years from shipment.

Quality & Certifications

Certified to UL 61000-6-2/6-4 (EMC), CSA C22.2 No. 14, RoHS 3, and MIL-STD-810G (vibration, thermal shock, operational drop). Complies with IEEE 1101.10 (PCI mechanical), IEC 61000-4-2 (ESD), and ISO 9001:2015 manufacturing standards. MTBF: 228,000 hours (per GE FMEA v3.2).

Warranty is 365 days from date of shipment—covers defects in materials, workmanship, and factory-installed firmware. Excludes damage from incorrect bus termination, voltage transients exceeding spec, or unauthorized modifications to hardware or calibration settings.

Our Order Placement Process and Guarantees

• Warranty: Full 365-day coverage from shipment date
• Delivery: Typically ships within 1 week if in stock; maximum lead time is 4 weeks—even for bundles with custom labeling, calibration certificates, or documentation packages
• Payment: 50% advance payment required to initiate order processing; balance due before release for shipping
• Shipping: Fedex, UPS, or DHL express—door-to-door with real-time tracking, insurance, and signature confirmation

Front view showing PCI card with DB9/RS485 ports and mounted IS215UCCAH3A communication module

Rear view highlighting low-profile bracket, PCIe edge connector, and UCCAH3A mounting interface

Typical installation in an industrial PC chassis with proper clearance and grounding