GE Fanuc Emerson | Series Five

About GE Series Five
GE Fanuc’s Series Five Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) are scalable and rugged controller hardware that are especially designed to be used in mid-range control applications. These controllers are designed to be used with fellow Series Five modules and combines the capabilities and features of GE Series One, Series Three and Series 6 Programmable Logic Controller families.  

The Series Five controllers family are fully modular family of controllers, with a functional system typically consists of a power supply, CPU, Input and Output modules, and system interface modules,  all installed on a base unit.

Series Five Base units has Two (2) variations, specifically Six (6) I/O slots or Eight (8) I/O slots. This base units may be used to be installed with the PLC CPU or Input and Output modules only. Technically, a base unit installed with a CPU is referred to as the CPU base unit while base units containing I/O modules and other modules are I/O expansion base unit. Base unit are assigned node address from 0 to 7, selected by setting the value of a rotary switch, situated above the left I/O expansion connector. ID numbers or node address simply define the controller’s address and not the manner or order of execution. The allowable distance between the controller and last I/O base unit must not exceed 200 ft or 60 meters.

The Series Five controller family supports discrete input and output modules with medium and high-density. Medium density modules are Sixteen (16) channels modules while High-density modules are embedded with 32 I/O channels. Aside from standard I/O modules, the Series Five controller family modules include Analog Input and Output modules, ASCII/BASIC, CCM Communications module, High

Speed Counter, and Axis Positioning for motion and position control.

Programs are prepared and downloaded to the Series Five Controller CPU with the use of the Logicmaster 5 application software. The Logic Master 5 controller is a DOS based application software that may be used with the Workmaster and Workmaster II computer, CIMSTAR TM I computer or an IBM PC, XT, AT, or PS/2 computers.

Series Five controller family supports implementation of distributed I/O, wherein expansion may reach up to Seven (7) I/O base units, connected to the local chain. Each I/O base unit may be installed with Eight (8) I/O modules of any combination, for a total of 64 I/O modules in one Series Five control system. Base units transmit and receive data through the local I/O interface module. This module is required to establish connection to the CPU base unit. Base units connect to the bus with the use of an I/O Expander cable to an I/O expansion connector which may be located either on the right side or left side of the Series Five base unit. A terminating plug must be installed at the last node of the I/O rack.

The series Five controller is able to accommodate up to 2048 I/O points which is composed of 1024 Inputs and 1024 Outputs. A Local I/O chain supports installation of standard Series Five I/O and Series Three I/O module.

PROS:

• Scalable and Modular
• Supports Rack or Panel Mounting
• Supports Standard modules, typically used in the industry
• Supports Remote I/O implementation via I/O base units
• Redundant controller configuration capable
• Supports programming via a workstation
• Supports Genius I/O system
• Supports Ladder Programming Language
• Optional memory cartridges available raging from 4K to 16K
• Millisecond execution of user program

CONS:

• DOS based Programming
• Limited Remote I/O base units; Up to Seven base units only
• Relatively short Remote I/O distance; Up to 60 meters
• Redundancy is not simple to implement
• Obsolete