March 8, 1999

GFK-1590

IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION

READ THIS INFORMATION FIRST

Product: CNC sink-type Operator Panel Connection Units

A16B-2200-0660 (96/64 I/O)

A16B-2200-0661 (64/32 I/O)

General
The Operator Panel Connection Unit is an I/O Link-connected remotely mounted 24V DC I/O board. The
Operator Panel Connection Unit PCBs are used with the GE Fanuc NA (North American) Operator Panel and can
also be used a machine operator panel built by the Machine Tool Builder (MTB). These Operator Panel
Connection Units use Darlington output drivers that can fail if subjected to excessive load current.

The most common causes of output driver failure are listed in order of occurrence:
ƒ Improper incandescent lamp replacement
ƒ Machine wiring errors

Details
1. Improper Incandescent Lamp Replacement
The GE Fanuc NA Operator Panel uses industry type 388 subminiature groove-base lamps. If lamp replacement is
improperly performed (such as when long-nose pliers are used to extract a burned out lamp with power on), the
lamp often breaks in the socket and short circuits the output driver. Replacement of burned out lamps should only
be attempted with the correct lamp extraction tool while power is off.

Refer to IPI document GFK-1593 for details on proper lamp replacement tools and procedure.
2 Important Product Information
GFK-1590

2. Machine Wiring Errors

The Operator Panel Connection Unit contains connectors for DC inputs (CM1, CM2) and DC output devices (CM3,
CM4). When using the GE Fanuc NA Operator Panel, a cable set is available that connects Operator Panel
Connection Unit connectors CM1, CM2 and CM3 to the GE Fanuc NA Operator Panel. The Machine Tool Builder
provides cables for any spare I/O used on connectors CM2, CM4 and 1PL of the GE Fanuc North American
Operator Panel. If any of the output driver signals are inadvertently connected to 0V, output driver failure occurs if
the driver is turned on. Performing pre-power up checks of MTB-supplied CM2, CM4 and 1PL cables to detect
wiring errors can prevent output driver failure during first time machine startup. Refer to the appropriate CNC
Connection Manual for the pinout of all connectors of the Operator Panel Connection Unit. The GE Fanuc
Machine Control Station document (GFK-0720) contains the pinout of the 1PL connector.