Description
Product Overview
The GE IS210MACCH2AEG is a specialized Communication and Control Module from the General Electric (GE) Mark VI Speedtronic™ gas/steam turbine control system. This specific module, designated as MACC, is designed to serve as a Remote I/O Controller and communication gateway. Its primary function is to extend the control system’s I/O network, manage a cluster of remote I/O modules, and act as a communication interface between the main Mark VI controller (located in the primary control cabinet) and a group of I/O packs that may be located in a separate cabinet, closer to field devices. The module facilitates the exchange of critical data—such as discrete inputs, outputs, and analog values—over a high-speed, deterministic network, allowing for a distributed control architecture that reduces wiring complexity and cost. The suffix
H2AEGindicates a specific hardware revision, firmware version, and set of communication features.The core value of the GE IS210MACCH2AEG lies in its ability to create a distributed, high-performance I/O architecture for the Mark VI system. It acts as a local «branch manager» for I/O, scanning connected I/O modules, executing simple local logic if configured, and reporting data back to the main turbine controller via a high-speed serial network (often the Mark VI’s proprietary I/O network or a network like VCMI — Versatile Controller Module Interface). This enables placement of I/O terminals near sensors and actuators on large turbine skids, improving signal integrity and reducing long, costly analog cable runs. For turbine system designers, the MACC module provides scalability and flexibility, allowing the control system to efficiently manage hundreds of I/O points distributed across the turbine package. Its reliable operation is essential for ensuring that all field data is accurately collected and all control commands are faithfully delivered, which is fundamental to the safe and efficient operation of the turbine.
Technical Specifications
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Parameter Name
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Parameter Value
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Product Model
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GE IS210MACCH2AEG
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Manufacturer
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General Electric (GE)
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System Platform
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Mark VI Speedtronic™ Turbine Control System
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Product Type
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Remote I/O Controller / Communication Interface Module
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Primary Function
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Manages and communicates with a cluster of remote I/O modules; acts as a network node on the Mark VI I/O network.
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Processor
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Onboard microprocessor for managing I/O scanning, data exchange, and network communication.
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I/O Network Interface
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Connects to the Mark VI’s high-speed, deterministic I/O network (e.g., VCMI network) to communicate with the main Mark VI controller(s).
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Local I/O Bus
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Provides a local bus (likely a parallel or high-speed serial bus) for connecting to multiple GE remote I/O packs/modules (e.g., IS200 series analog and digital I/O modules).
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Communication Ports
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May include additional serial ports (RS-232/485) for configuration, diagnostics, or connection to third-party devices using protocols like Modbus.
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Memory
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Onboard memory for storing configuration, I/O mapping, and possibly local application logic.
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Configuration
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Configured using GE’s ToolboxST software to define the I/O modules in its cluster, their addresses, and data mapping to the main controller.
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Power Supply
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Powered from the Mark VI rack backplane or from a local power supply in the remote cabinet.
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Operating Temperature
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0°C to 60°C (for control cabinet environment).
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Status Indication
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Front-panel LEDs for power, network status, communication activity, and fault conditions.
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Mounting
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Designed as a plug-in module for a Mark VI or compatible I/O rack.
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Certifications
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Designed to meet cULus, CE, and other relevant industrial standards.
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Key Features and Advantages
GE IS210MACCH2AEG excels as an enabler for distributed I/O architecture in turbine control. Its primary advantage is decoupling the I/O subsystem from the central controller’s physical location. This allows I/O termination cabinets to be installed in optimal locations—such as on the turbine base frame or near auxiliary systems—while the main controller remains in a centralized control room. This significantly reduces the amount of field wiring running back to the main cabinet, lowering installation costs and potential points of failure. The module provides a deterministic and high-speed data link to the main controller, ensuring that I/O data updates with the speed and reliability required for turbine control and protection.
Local intelligence and network efficiency are central to its value. The MACC module offloads I/O scanning and management tasks from the main controller. It continuously polls its local I/O modules, packages the data efficiently, and transmits it over the network. This reduces the communication load on the main controller’s backplane and improves overall system performance. Some variants may support execution of simple, fast local logic for time-critical functions, further enhancing responsiveness. Its design ensures robust communication in the electrically noisy environment of a power plant.
Scalability, ease of configuration, and reliability are key benefits. The use of MACC modules allows the Mark VI system to be easily scaled to accommodate large, complex turbines with thousands of I/O points spread over a wide area. Configuration through the unified ToolboxST environment simplifies engineering. As a hardened industrial component, it is built for reliable 24/7 operation. For maintenance, if a remote I/O cluster fails, the issue can often be isolated to that cluster and its associated MACC module, simplifying troubleshooting. The module itself is a Field Replaceable Unit (FRU). In summary, the IS210MACCH2AEG provides the critical communication and control infrastructure that makes the Mark VI system a truly distributed and scalable platform for modern turbine automation.
Application Areas
The GE IS210MACCH2AEG module is deployed in GE Mark VI turbine control systems for applications requiring distributed I/O architecture.
Its primary application is in large gas turbine and steam turbine packages, where I/O points are geographically dispersed:
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Turbine Skid I/O: Managing I/O located on the turbine base itself (vibration probes, thermocouples, solenoid valves).
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Auxiliary System Control: Managing I/O for lube oil consoles, fuel skids, cooling water systems, and generator excitation systems that are located in separate cabinets or skids.
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Compressor Stations: In mechanical drive applications for compressors, where I/O is spread along the driven equipment.
It enables the creation of remote I/O drops throughout the turbine package, connecting them back to the central Mark VI controller unit. Essentially, the MACC module is used wherever a GE Mark VI system needs to efficiently manage a large number of I/O points that are not collocated with the main controller, which is a common scenario in complex turbine installations.
Related Products
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GE Mark VI Main Controller (e.g., IS200/IS215 series): The primary controller that communicates with the MACC module over the network.
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GE Mark VI Remote I/O Modules (IS200 series, e.g., AEPC, DDPC): The analog and digital I/O modules that are managed by the MACC module in a remote cabinet.
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GE Mark VI I/O Network Hardware: Cables, terminators, and possibly repeaters for the VCMI or other I/O network connecting MACC modules to the main controller.
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GE ToolboxST Software: The essential engineering tool for configuring the MACC module, defining its I/O module inventory, and mapping data points.
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Remote I/O Cabinet/Power Supply: The enclosure and power system for the remote I/O cluster managed by the MACC.
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Communication Cables (Fiber/Ethernet/Coaxial): The physical media for the I/O network, depending on the system design.
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