GE IS215WEPAH2BA Product Overview
1. Product Description:
- The IS215WEPAH2BA is a WEPA Communications Board designed specifically for GE’s Mark VIe family of distributed turbine and process control systems.
- It functions as a Terminal Control Module (TCM), acting as a local controller and I/O concentrator within the Mark VIe architecture.
- Its primary role is to manage communication between the central Mark VIe controller (e.g., UR series) and the local I/O packs installed in the same or adjacent chassis via the high-speed WEPA (Wired Ethernet for Plant Applications) backplane bus.
- It executes simple control logic locally for fast response and reduces loading on the main controller.
2. Product Parameters & Specifications (Tabulated):
|
Feature Category
|
Parameter / Specification
|
Details / Description
|
|---|---|---|
|
Model Number
|
Part Number
|
|
|
Series
|
Control System Family
|
GE Mark VIe Speedtronic™ Turbine Control System
|
|
Form Factor
|
Board Type
|
Single Slot, VME-style Board
|
|
Primary Function
|
Role
|
Terminal Control Module (TCM) / WEPA Communications Board
|
|
Core Processor
|
Type
|
Dedicated Embedded Processor (Specific model often proprietary/not publicly detailed)
|
|
Memory
|
Embedded
|
Sufficient volatile & non-volatile memory for OS, firmware, application logic, and buffering (Exact size vendor-managed)
|
|
I/O Management
|
Supported I/O Packs
|
Manages communication & data exchange for local I/O packs (e.g., IS200 series) within the same Mark VIe chassis.
|
|
Control Capability
|
Logic Execution
|
Executes local control logic downloaded from the main controller (e.g., URxx). Handles fast loops & sequencing locally.
|
|
Communication Ports
|
WEPA Port (Primary)
|
Dedicated high-speed port for Mark VIe backplane communication via WEPA protocol. Connects to I/O packs & other TCMs/controller.
|
|
|
Ethernet Port (ETH)
|
10/100 Mbps TCP/IP Ethernet port. Used for:
– Engineering Access (via ToolboxST) – Peer-to-peer comms – HMI/SCADA connection (sometimes) – Controller comms (if configured) |
|
|
Serial Port (COM)
|
RS-232/RS-485 serial port. Typically used for:
– Local HMI connection – Printer connection – Legacy device interface – Engineering access (less common than ETH) |
|
Redundancy
|
Support
|
Supports TMR (Triple Modular Redundant) configuration when used with other TCMs and redundant controllers (URxH).
|
|
Power Supply
|
Requirement
|
Powered directly from the Mark VIe chassis backplane (+5V, +3.3V, etc.). No separate external supply needed.
|
|
Environmental
|
Operating Temperature
|
Standard Industrial Range: -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F)
|
|
|
Storage Temperature
|
-40°C to +85°C (-40°F to +185°F)
|
|
|
Relative Humidity
|
5% to 95% non-condensing
|
|
Certifications
|
Standards Compliance
|
Designed to meet relevant industrial standards (e.g., UL, CE, cULus, ATEX/IECEx for specific hazardous area variants).
|
|
Mounting
|
Location
|
Installed in designated slots within a GE Mark VIe Series I/O or Controller Chassis (e.g., IC693CHSxxx).
|
|
Configuration
|
Software Tool
|
Configured, programmed, and monitored using GE’s ToolboxST™ software suite.
|
|
Robustness
|
Build
|
Industrial-grade components. Conformal coating often applied for protection against dust, moisture, and contaminants.
|
3. Series:
- Belongs to the GE Mark VIe Speedtronic™ Turbine Control System family.
- Specifically part of the Mark VIe Series I/O hardware lineup (designed for use in Mark VIe Series I/O racks).
- Often grouped with other Mark VIe Terminal Boards (TMBP, TCM2, etc.) and I/O packs (IS200/IS215 series).
4. Key Features:
- Local Control Execution: Runs downloaded logic blocks for fast, deterministic control loops independent of the main controller, improving system speed and reliability.
- High-Speed WEPA Backplane: Provides deterministic, high-bandwidth communication between the TCM and local I/O modules within the chassis.
- I/O Pack Management: Acts as the communication gateway and controller for all I/O packs installed in its chassis.
- Network Connectivity: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet (ETH) port for engineering access (ToolboxST), peer communication, and plant network integration.
- Serial Connectivity: RS-232/485 port (COM) for legacy devices, local HMIs, or printers.
- Redundancy Support: Integral part of TMR (Triple Modular Redundant) and Dual configurations for high-availability critical applications.
- Industrial Ruggedness: Designed for harsh environments (temperature, humidity, vibration, EMI) typical of power generation and heavy industry.
- Hot Swappable (within limits): Designed for replacement while the system is powered (subject to proper procedures and redundancy configuration).
- ToolboxST Integration: Fully configurable and programmable using GE’s standard engineering tool.
5. Function / Role:
- Local Controller: Executes control logic (sequential, regulatory) assigned to it by the main controller (URxx), providing fast loop closure and reducing central controller load.
- I/O Concentrator / Gateway: Aggregates data from multiple local I/O packs (analog input, analog output, digital input, digital output, etc.) within its chassis.
- Data Highway Manager: Manages the high-speed WEPA communication between itself, its I/O packs, and potentially other TCMs or the controller on the backplane.
- Communication Bridge: Provides TCP/IP Ethernet and Serial (RS-232/485) ports for external communication (HMI, SCADA, engineering laptop, other systems/networks).
- Redundancy Node: Forms one leg of a redundant control pair or triple (TMR configuration) for fault tolerance.
6. Applications & Use Cases:
- Gas Turbine Control: Primary application – controlling fuel, inlet guide vanes (IGV), sequencing, protection, and monitoring on GE and other OEM gas turbines.
- Steam Turbine Control: Governing, sequencing, valve control, and protection systems.
- Hydro Turbine Control: Governor control, sequencing, protection.
- Compressor Control & Protection: Centrifugal & reciprocating compressors in pipelines, refineries, and process plants.
- Power Generation Balance of Plant (BOP): Controlling critical auxiliary systems (lube oil, cooling water, fuel gas conditioning, fire protection) within power plants.
- Industrial Process Control: Acting as a high-reliability PLC/PAC for critical processes requiring determinism and redundancy (chemical, oil & gas, pulp & paper).
- Distributed I/O & Control: Serving as a remote control node managing local I/O within a larger Mark VIe control system spread across a plant.
In Summary: The GE IS215WEPAH2BA is a critical, high-performance Terminal Control Module (TCM) within the Mark VIe turbine and process control ecosystem. It excels at managing local I/O, executing high-speed control logic, and facilitating robust communication via the WEPA backplane and external networks. Its primary domain is critical turbomachinery control (gas/steam/hydro turbines) and demanding industrial processes requiring reliability, speed, and redundancy. Configuration and management are performed using GE’s ToolboxST software.
There are no reviews yet.