GE / IP FANUC Series 90/30 In Stock
Genius I/O Blocks Selection Guide
GE Fanuc offers a family of intelligent and flexible input/output (I/O) blocks. This block family offers flexible configuration, power, and intelligence, which can help ease the equipment design and production process.
You can connect the Genius communications bus to various field devices using these blocks. There are various types of Genius Input/output discrete and analog blocks available for this purpose. This article discusses all the available genius I/O blocks and their features. That will help you select the I/O blocks suitable for your system.
Genius I/O Blocks Overview
Genius I/O blocks send messages such as input data and diagnostic fault reports on a communication bus. They receive a message such as output data and commands from a CPU or handheld monitor over a communication bus.
This family offers the following I/O blocks:
Genius I/O Blocks’ Types
| Type | Description |
| 115 volts AC 8 Circuit Grouped input /output Blocks | These Blocks come with 8 circuits that are identical and discrete. These circuits can operate at a rated voltage of 115 volts AC (alternating current). These blocks are configurable to use as input/output, input, or output blocks. |
| 115 volts AC/125 volts DC Isolated I/O Blocks | These Blocks come with 4 isolated groups of circuits. Each group has two input/output circuits that can operate at a rated voltage of 115 volts AC and also at 125 volts DC (direct current). These blocks are configurable to use as input/output, input, or output blocks. |
| 115 VAC 16 Circuit Input Block | These blocks have 16 resistive input circuits, divided into two equal groups. Typical inputs are from proximity switches, limit switches, and pushbuttons. |
| Relay Output Blocks | These blocks come with 16 relay output circuits, divided into four equal isolated groups. These blocks are primarily used with relays, lamps, and contactors. |
| 16 Circuit DC Input/Output Blocks | This catalog offers 24 volts DC source block, 24/48 volts DC source block, 24 volts DC sink blocks, and 24/48 volts DC sink blocks. These blocks have 16 discrete circuits and are configurable to use as input/output, input, or output blocks. |
| 32 Circuit DC Input/Output Blocks | This catalog offers 12/24 volts DC source blocks and 5/12/24 volts DC sink blocks These Blocks come with 32 discrete identical circuits. Each circuit is configurable as input or output. |
| Analog I/O Blocks | This series has 115 volts AC analog input /output blocks and 24/48 volts DC analog I/O blocks. These blocks have 4 input (with one A/D converter) and 2 output (with one D/A converter) circuits. |
| Current–source Analog I/O Blocks | This catalog offers 115 volts AC/125 volts DC current source analog I/O block and 24/48 volts DC current source analog I/O block. Each block consists of four input circuits and 2 output circuits. Outputs are compatible with 4-20 milliamperes devices. |
| Current–source Analog Output Blocks | This series comes with 115 volts AC/125 volts DC current source analog output block and 24/48 volts DC current source analog output block. Each block has 6 output circuits. Outputs are compatible with 4-20 milliamperes devices. |
| Current–source Analog Input Blocks | This series has 115 volts AC/125 volts DC current source analog input block and 24/48 volts DC current source analog input block. These blocks connect a controller to devices that output 4 to 20 milliamps of the analog signal. |
| RTD Input Blocks | This category includes 115 volts AC/125 volts DC RTD blocks and 24/48 volts DC RTD blocks. These blocks are used to monitor RTD’s temperature inputs. Each block has 3 isolated groups, each having two input circuits and 2 cold junction compensation remote inputs. |
| Thermocouple Input Blocks | This series offers 115 volts AC/125 volts DC thermocouple blocks and 24/48 volts DC thermocouple blocks. These blocks are used to monitor standard thermocouples’ temperature inputs. Each block comes with three isolated groups, each with two input circuits. |
Configurable Features:
Unlike conventional I/O blocks, Genius I/O blocks offer different configurable features. Configurable features offered by these Genius I/O blocks are;
Configurable Features
| Type | Configurable Features |
| 115 volts AC 8 Circuit Grouped input /output Blocks | Circuit-by-circuit fault reporting, Output pulse test, CPU redundancy, Output hold last state, Selectable input filter times ranging from 10 to 100 milliseconds, Output powerup defaults, Bus switching module control |
| 115 volts AC/125 volts DC Isolated I/O Blocks | Circuit-by-circuit fault reporting, Output pulse test, CPU redundancy, Output hold last state or default, Selectable input filter times from 10 to 100 milliseconds, Output powerup defaults, Bus switching module control, AC/DC circuit voltage |
| 115 volts AC 16 Circuit Input Blocks | Circuit-by-circuit fault reporting, Selectable threshold and resistor values, Selectable input filter times from 10 to 100 milliseconds |
| Relay Output Blocks | Bus Switching Module control, Output powerup defaults, CPU Redundancy, Output Hold Last State, Output default State |
| 32 Circuit DC Input/Output Blocks | Circuit-by-circuit fault reporting, Output pulse test, CPU redundancy, Output hold last state or default, Selectable input filter times from 10 to 100 milliseconds, Output powerup defaults, Bus switching module control |
| Analog Input/Output Blocks | CPU Redundancy, Output powerup defaults, Selectable Input Filter Time to 1024 milliseconds maximum, Output Hold Last State or default |
| Current–source Analog I/O Blocks | Output feedback checking, Output Hold Last State or default, CPU Redundancy, Selectable input conversion times upto 400 milliseconds, Input alarm detection |
| Current–source Analog Output Blocks | Output feedback checking and time, Output Hold Last State or default, CPU Redundancy, Input alarm detection |
| Current–source Analog Input Blocks | Input conversion time, Circuit scaling to engineering units’ values, CPU redundancy |
| RTD Input Blocks | Alarm thresholds, Linearization, Input filter time, RTD resistance, Alpha time |
Circuit Protection:
These I/O blocks come with electronic fusing and provide overload protection. They can shut down circuits in 5 microseconds after sensing circuit faults, which is significantly more effective than thermal fuses. The programmable controller or Handheld monitors are used for resetting short circuits and overloads.
Genius I/O Block’s Circuit Protection Specifications
| Type | Circuit Protection Features |
| 115 volts AC 8 Circuit Grouped input /output Blocks | When the output current exceeds 30 amperes at turning on or 20 amperes after two cycles, electronic fuses in each circuit shut off the circuit in 5 microseconds |
| 115 VAC/125 VDC Isolated I/O Blocks | When the output current exceeds 25 amperes at turning on or 15 amperes after two cycles, electronic fuses in each circuit shut off the circuit in few microseconds for AC and 10 microseconds for DC. |
| 16 Circuit DC Input/Output Blocks | Block switches off output automatically within microseconds when the instantaneous output current exceeds 10 amperes on turning on. |
| 32 Circuit DC Input/Output Blocks | When the output circuit is more than 5 amperes for 5 milliseconds, the block switches off output automatically. |
Diagnostic Features:
Genius I/O systems can notice internal faults, open and short circuits, overloads, and additional adults in the associated devices. Many faults are spotted before they create an equipment malfunction. The system is capable of identifying the integrity of a control circuit before it must be powered. Periodic “pulse–testing” under microprocessor control enables these features in Genius I/O blocks. For quick and precise maintenance, the system can isolate and diagnose defects down to the circuit level.
Diagnostic features offered by each category of Genius I/O blocks are tabulated below.
Genius I/O Block’s Advanced Diagnostic Features
| Type | Advanced Diagnostic Features |
| 115 volts AC 8 Circuit Grouped input /output Blocks | No–load Detection, Overtemperature Diagnostic, Failed Switch Diagnostic, Overload Detection and Shutdown, Open Wire Diagnostic |
| 115 VAC/125 VDC Isolated I/O Blocks | Loss of I/O Power Diagnostic, Overtemperature Diagnostic, Failed Switch Diagnostic, Open Wire Diagnostic, No Load Diagnostic, Overload Shutdown, AC Output Overload, DC Output Overload |
| 115 VAC 16 Circuit Input Block | Open wire diagnostics, Short wire diagnostics |
| Relay Output Blocks | EEPROM Failure diagnostic |
| 16 Circuit DC Input/Output Blocks | Overtemperature diagnostics, Short circuit diagnostic, Failed Switch diagnostic, Open wire diagnostic, No load diagnostic, Overload diagnostic |
| 32 Circuit DC Input/Output Blocks | Surge current protection, Short circuit diagnostic, Overcurrent protection |
| Analog Input/Output Blocks | Input low alarm detection, Input High alarm detection, Open wire detection, Input /output under-range or over-range |
| Current–source Analog I/O Blocks | Input low alarm detection, Input high alarm detection, Input open wire detection, Output feedback error, Input /output under-range or over-range |
| Current–source Analog Output Blocks | Circuit-by-circuit fault reporting, Output over-range, Output under-range, Output feedback error (less than 1.5 milliamperes) |
| Current–source Analog Input Blocks | Input low alarm detection, Input high alarm detection, Input open wire detection (current below 2 milliamperes), Input under-range or over-range |
| Thermocouple Input Blocks | Input Short diagnostic, Internal fault detection, Wiring error, Open wire, Low alarm /high alarm, Overrange /Underrange |
Field Wiring:
In Genius I/O blocks, field wiring connection specifications differ as per the type of I/O block. Field wiring specifications for some I/O blocks are listed below.
Genius I/O Block’s Field Wiring
| Type | Field Wiring Connections | Wire Size |
| 115 volts AC 8 Circuit Grouped input /output Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | Each terminal can accept one AWG #12 or two AWG #14 wires. Minimum AWG #22 wire size |
| 115 VAC/125 VDC Isolated I/O Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | Each terminal can accept one AWG #12 or two AWG #14 wires. Minimum AWG #22 wire size |
| 115 VAC 16 Circuit Input Block | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | Minimum AWG #20 |
| Relay Output Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | AWG # 22 to AWG #12 |
| 16 Circuit DC Input/Output Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | Each terminal can accept one AWG # 12 or two AWG # 14 wires. Minimum AWG # 22 wire size |
| 32 Circuit DC Input/Output Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | Each terminal can accept two AWG # 16 stranded wires or AWG # 14 solid wires. |
| Analog Input/Output Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | AWG # 22 to AWG # 12 |
| Current–source Analog I/O Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | AWG # 22 to AWG # 14 |
| Current–source Analog Output Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | AWG # 22 to AWG # 14 |
| Current–source Analog Input Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | AWG # 22 to AWG # 14 |
| RTD Input Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | AWG # 22 to AWG # 14 |
| Thermocouple Input Blocks | Standard screw and clamp–type terminals | AWG # 22 to AWG # 14 |
Power Requirement:
Genius I/O Block Vs Power Requirements
| Type | Power Requirements |
| 115 volts AC 8 Circuit Grouped input /output Blocks | These Blocks don’t need a separate power supply. The I/O device voltages connected to the terminals provide control power for the block. |
| 115 VAC/125 VDC Isolated I/O Block | These blocks come with terminals to attach either AC or DC power source. The I/O device voltages connected to the terminals provide control power for the block. |
| 115 VAC 16 Circuit Input Block | They don’t require a separate power supply. The I/O device voltages connected to the terminals provide control power for the block. |
| Relay Output Block | 115 volts or 230 volts AC power supply is needed to power the block. For outputs devices, each group needs a separate 5 – 250 volts AC or 5 – 220 volts DC power source. |
| 16 Circuit DC Input/Output Block | They don’t require a separate power supply. The I/O device voltages connected to the terminals provide control power for the block. |
| 32 Circuit DC Input/Output Block | 12 volts or 24 volts DC power source is needed to power the block. For sink blocks, +5 volts TTL is also compatible. |
| Analog Input/Output Block | 115 volts AC or 24/48 volts DC power supply is required for the operation of this block. |
| Current–source Analog I/O Block | There is a need for a 115 VAC/125VDC power source for 115VAC/125 VDC block and a 24/48VDC power source for the 24/48 VDC block. Separate power for output (4-20 milliamperes) signals is not required. |
| Current–source Analog Output Block | There is a need for a 115 VAC/125VDC power source for 115VAC/125 VDC block and a 24/48VDC power source for the 24/48 VDC block. Separate power for output (4-20 milliamperes) signals is not required. |
| Current–source Analog Input Block | There is a need for a 115 VAC/125VDC power source for 115VAC/125 VDC block and a 24/48VDC power source for the 24/48 VDC block. Separate power for output (4-20 milliamperes) signals is not required. |
| RTD Input Block | A 115 VAC/125VDC power supply is required for the 115VAC/125 VDC block, and a 24/48VDC power source is required for the 24/48 VDC block. |
| Thermocouple Input Block | A 115 VAC/125VDC power supply is required for the 115VAC/125 VDC block, and a 24/48VDC power source is required for the 24/48 VDC block. |
Assembly of Blocks:
Each Genius I/O block has two assemblies: terminal assembly and electronics assembly. The base of the block is terminal assembly and can only accept a matching electronics assembly.
Electronics assembly has active components, input/output circuits, and communication components. On the other hand, the terminal assembly accommodates the field wiring connections. This implies electronic assembly may be detached or replaced without damaging the field wiring connections.
The configuration of the genius I/O block is saved in its terminal assembly. That’s why the block does not need to be reconfigured when the Electronics Assembly is replaced.
Environmental Specifications:
Each Genius I/O block can withstand temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius. They are vibration-tested as per Mil-std 810C standard and IEC 68-2-6 standard. These blocks are also resistant to noise levels that are observed in many industrial applications.
Other Features:
The use of Genius I/O blocks results in lower installation costs, faster start-up, and less software engineering for the system.
This entry was posted on June 1st, 2022 and is filed under GE Fanuc, Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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