GE IS200ISBEH2ABC InSync Bus Extender Card

The GE IS200ISBEH2ABC is an InSync Bus Extender Card (ISBE) manufactured by General Electric for use in the Mark VI Speedtronic Turbine Control System and the EX2100 Excitation System.

Its primary function is to extend and maintain the integrity of the proprietary ISBus high-speed communication path within the control system.

⚙️ Core Function and Role

The IS200ISBEH2ABC is a utility board that is essential for flexible and reliable system architecture:

• ISBus Extension: It provides an interface to increase the physical length or branching capabilities of the ISBus cable. The ISBus is the critical link that ensures real-time synchronization (InSync) between control modules, particularly in Triple Modular Redundant (TMR) configurations.

• Signal Integrity: As an extender, the board often contains active circuitry (such as buffers and repeaters) to recondition and amplify the ISBus signal. This ensures that the high-speed signal maintains its timing accuracy and integrity over the extended distance, which is paramount for the system’s voting logic and fault tolerance.

• Connection Interface: The board typically connects to the CAPB Control Assembly Backplane board in the Mark VI rack and features connectors for external ISBus communication.

• Optical Capability: Like other ISBE revisions, it may include fiber-optic connectors (e.g., ST-type) to convert the electrical ISBus signal into an optical signal, enabling reliable data transmission over much longer distances between racks or cabinets.

🔎 Revision Details

The part number structure provides specific details about the board’s design:

The IS200ISBEH2ABC operates with the same core purpose as the IS200ISBEH1A, but incorporates the design updates of the Group 2 revision.