GE Fanuc Emerson | Series Six

About GE Series Six
The GE Series Six Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) are general purpose controllers, installed with an intelligent microprocessor for execution of user-defined logic for implementing controls of industrial processes and machines. This family of controllers are designed with an industrially compliant housing, capable of being installed in harsh industrial environments.

This programmable controller series are legacy devices. It functions by receiving signals from input devices, whether analog or discrete in nature and use the data received from these devices as reference in implementing and solving logic and instructions. Result of program execution are sent to discrete and analog output devices to actuate Final Control Element (FCE) or actuating elements.

The GE Series Six Programmable Logic Controllers are IEC61131-3 compliant devices as it supports of the standard programming languages. This controller supports Ladder programming software, complemented by an internally installed advanced instructions sets that are preconfigured to perform timing, counting, relay logic and other functions.  

The GE series include Three (3) controller models such as Model 60, Model 600 and Model 6000. Controller models differ with respect to memory size, register capacity, I/O capacity, and options supported. These controllers support the same Series Six I/O modules and Program Development Terminal (PDT). Technically, a Series Six controller’s minimum configuration includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that is installed to the Controller module, Input and Output modules that is used to interface with field instruments and devices, and Input devices that provide actual signal to the input modules and Output devices which are the actuating element of the process. A Program Development Terminal (PDT) is required to enter programs, establish connection and perform offline and online edits to the Series 6 controller.

A Series Six controller has a user memory that is capable of storing up to 32,768 16-bit words. The controller’s Logic Memory is made of a CMOS RAM (Random Access Memory) that is maintained by a Lithium-Manganese Dioxide battery. Specifically, with Model 600 and 6000 Series Six controllers, these controlelrs includes a Register Memory module, containing 1024 16-bit registers, and an Internal Memory module. The Model 60 controller on the other hand features a combined memory module that is composed of logic memory with memory size of either 2K or 4K 16-bit words, register memory consisting of either 256 or 1024 sixteen-bit registers and internal memory circuits.

GE Fanuc’s Series Six controller family are also compatible with the Logic Master 6 programming software. This programming software is a DOS based programming software that supports full access to the software embedded instructions and tools. This Programming software may be used with GE’s Work Master or Work Master II Computer, CIMSTAR and IBM Personal computers.

The GE Series 6 PLC supports Serial and Parallel version when being programmed using the Work Master Computers. Parallel version communicates to the Series Six controller using a standard interface cable to the I/O system. The Work Master controller must have a Workmaster/ Series Six PLC interface Board and Workmaster / Series Six PLC terminator board. When used with serial version, a CCM card is required.  Same requirements apply when used with a CIMSTAR computer or an IBM Personal Computer.
 

PROS:

• Scalable and Modular
• Supports Rack or Panel Mounting
• Uses a universal rack
• Supports Standard modules, typically used in the industry
• Supports Remote I/O implementation via I/O racks
• Software programmable
• Supports programming via a workstation or Programming Terminal
• Supports Remote I/O parallel and serial connection
• Supports a relatively large quantities of I/O points ranging from 512 to 4000 points
• Supports Ladder Programming Language

CONS:

• DOS based Programming
• Does not support Redundancy
• Only Three (3) Controllers selections available
• Uses battery to maintain contents of the user memory
• Obsolete