GE FANUC Compact I/O carrier box style IC200CHS022 IC2OOCHSO22 IC-200CHS022

IC200CHS022 | GE Fanuc VersaMax Box-Style I/O Carrier — 36 IEC Terminals / 2A per Point / 8A Common / 0–264VAC / DIN Rail / 110.5×70×139.7mm

I/O Carrier vs I/O Module — Two Separate Components

In the VersaMax system, the I/O module and the I/O carrier are separate items. The carrier is the wiring interface — it holds the terminal blocks and backplane connector. The I/O module plugs into the carrier and makes the electrical connection between field wiring and the VersaMax backplane without touching any field cable.

The IC200CHS022 is the carrier. It accepts one I/O module. When an I/O module requires replacement, the module lifts out of the carrier and a new module drops in — field wiring on the 36 terminals stays connected throughout. No wire removal, no rewiring sequence, no risk of miswired connections after maintenance.

For installations where maintenance time and wiring accuracy matter — process plants with 24/7 operation, machines where downtime costs are significant — this modular separation is a practical operational advantage.

Key Specifications

36 IEC Box-Style Terminals — Wiring Capacity and Organisation

IEC box-style (cage-clamp) terminals accept the wire inserted and clamped by a captive screw without a ferrule. They accept solid or stranded conductors from AWG #14 (large, high-current wiring) down to AWG #22 (small, low-current sensor wiring).

Each terminal accepts either one conductor up to AWG #14, or two conductors where both are AWG #18 or smaller. The dual-wire option allows common or supply connections to be chained without external busbars — multiple output circuits can share a power return on the same terminal without wiring a separate junction.

The 36 terminals are arranged in two rows (A1–A18 and B1–B18), providing logical physical separation between the two terminal groups — matching the VersaMax I/O module's signal assignment layout.

Application Scenarios

Process I/O module replacement without rewiring: A VersaMax analogue input module fails in a running process plant. The IC200CHS022's field wiring stays connected while the failed module is removed. A replacement module plugs into the carrier — all 18 channels reconnect instantly without touching any field cable.

High-density mixed I/O wiring: A machine control panel uses IC200CHS022 carriers for 32-point digital I/O modules. AWG #22 sensor wires and AWG #16 output power wires both connect to the same carrier — the wide AWG range accommodates both on the same terminal block without adapter ferrules.

DIN rail panel build: Carriers mount on standard 35mm DIN rail in the control cabinet. The 110.5mm height and 70mm width allow standard panel layout planning. DIN rail grounding is connected for EMC compliance.

FAQ

Q1: What VersaMax I/O modules are compatible with the IC200CHS022?

The IC200CHS022 accepts VersaMax I/O modules in the standard single-module carrier format — 32-point digital I/O modules and high-density I/O devices compatible with the VersaMax I/O module footprint. Confirm the specific I/O module's carrier compatibility in the VersaMax I/O Module User's Manual before ordering.

Q2: Why is DIN rail grounding required for EMC protection?

The IC200CHS022 uses the DIN rail as a grounding conductor for EMC purposes. The carrier's chassis connects to the DIN rail through the mounting clip. If the DIN rail is not grounded to the panel earth, the carrier's internal shielding reference is floating — reducing the effectiveness of conducted and radiated emission suppression. Install a grounding strap from the DIN rail to the panel's PE bus to satisfy EMC requirements.

Q3: Can two wires of different gauges be inserted into the same terminal?

The dual-wire option requires both conductors to be AWG #18 or smaller. Mixing a large conductor (AWG #16) with a small conductor (AWG #22) in the same terminal is not recommended — the clamping force distributes unequally and the larger wire may not be fully retained. Use matched gauges or a single large conductor per terminal.

Q4: How do carrier-to-carrier connectors work?

Carrier-to-carrier connectors join adjacent IC200CHS022 carriers mechanically and electrically on the DIN rail. The connectors maintain the VersaMax I/O bus continuity across multiple carriers in the same row. Each carrier connects to its neighbour via the side connector, extending the bus without separate cables between carriers.

Q5: Is the IC200CHS022 suitable for vertical mounting?

The IC200CHS022 is designed for horizontal mounting. Vertical installation is not specified in the standard product documentation. For cabinet designs where horizontal mounting is not feasible, confirm with the applicable installation standards and local electrical code requirements before deviating from the horizontal mounting orientation.