Qualitrol fully supports your legacy Emerson/GE Genius products

Since Genius modules and bus controllers play such a crucial role in factory functions for many Emerson/GE customers, being able to support your Genius products or else replace them is critical.

Whether you want to keep your Genius modules to support your existing systems or migrate your PLC to the newest technology, Qualitrol International can help. We offer our customers complete Genius support from manuals and documents to repairs and remanufactured parts. If you’re concerned about the implications of keeping your Genius setup, we can conduct a risk assessment to determine where your best potential lies. Although Emerson/GE will no longer support your Genius operations, Qualitrol has Genius users covered. We fully support your Genius line of products and when you eventually choose to migrate, we plan and implement the entire process to make it easier. Are you concerned about Genius’ end-of-life transition, or do you have questions? Contact Qualitrol for support or a risk assessment to be thoroughly prepared for the discontinuation of this product.

Qualitrol has been through all of Emerson/GE’s changes and advancements in PLC technology and we continue to support the Genius with maintenance and parts. While Genius has remained extremely robust and enduring throughout the years, this line of products eventually had trouble keeping up with the latest technology. Although cutting-edge technology for its time, Genius has been outpaced by newer technologies. In 2016, Emerson/GE issued a Last Time to Buy Notice for Genius. Emerson/GE is turning its attention towards the future to better serve their customers in their decision to no longer sell or support Genius.

Should you consider migration?

You should consider the Genius modules you’re currently using as well as their location when thinking about migration. To do this, inspect your PLC hardware. To move your existing system successfully, transferring to the PAC Systems RX3i from Emerson/GE is your best option. The good news is that this transition is straightforward thanks to Emerson/GE! You just need to gather a few simple pieces of information to help determine your migration plan:

• Count the number of I/O drops including the module count at each drop location.

• Check the distance of all cable runs between I/O drops and the PLC as well as inspect the space inside each cabinet that can be dedicated to Genius block replacements.

• Focus on cabling after inspecting your PLC system. Genius typically relied on long cable runs, but PROFINET is available in order to produce the most effective and reliable networking for your Genius replacements with few wiring changes. This is because PROFINET is ideal for harsh factory conditions where office Ethernet isn’t. PROFINET also allows data in real time to see errors the moment they occur. This can help you to prevent waste, downtime, and ultimately, disaster.

GE PROFINET products allow you to have a flexible architecture in addition to servicing your machinery from virtually anywhere. PROFINET is an efficient choice for PLC users when it comes to replacing Genius and its cabling system with a cost-effective solution. Now that you’ve examined your PLC setup and checked the cabling setup, consider these three options for Genius migration to see what would work the best for you based on this information:

RX3i I/O Expansion racks are ideal when your factory setup isn’t limited on space, and you want the best solution to replace Genius. Since these racks are directly mounted, this reduces the cost for your future wiring and makes maintenance a little easier. These racks are your most efficient choice when space is available. You have the choice of either 7-,12-, or 16-slot RX3i chassis, which can effectively customize your I/O drop location. These expansion racks will effectively replace Genius and add a PROFINET Scanner (PNS) module to connect your I/O rack to the PROFINET ring. This is your most robust solution for I/O when it comes to replacing Genius!

CEP/CEE Modules from RX3i - If your space is a bit limited and you have a small I/O drop location, consider CEP/CEE modules from the RX3i from GE. With this setup, two RX3i modules are supported. A PROFINET ready CEP drop with a CEE option for a second module helps this solution capitalize on both space and flexibility. Just provide Ethernet cabling and power to your CEP module and you can connect your RX3i I/O module. Using this module is an extension of a single slot to the CEP, so you can easily add a second module and have multiple drops in a single cabinet. With a CEP/CEE setup of multiple drops, you can accommodate a minimum I/O count but still retain the robustness needed for your RX3i I/O to swap out Genius.

CEP/CEE Modules from RX3i - If you’re entirely limited on space but need a great I/O setup, RSTi-EP slice modules could be your best solution. These modules are cost efficient and come with a PROFINET Network Interface module. You can easily add on slice modules as needed, since they stack together with a connected power source and data signals. You have limitless options for I/O when replacing Genius with these modules. When you want the most performance for the smallest space, RSTi-EP slice modules are your best option. With only 11.5mm of horizontal space taken up, this means you get the highest I/O count with the smallest cabinet space. Since these are the smallest modules in the industry, you have the potential for big savings when making use of space with these highly expandable modules.

The right PLC migration plan for you

One of the greatest things about these three options for Genius migration is that they can all work together by connecting to the same I/O network. Working with us at Qualitrol ensures that you’ve got support even after Genius retires. When you want to keep Genius or if you want to migrate, we’re ready to help you make your best choice. We can begin by conducting a risk assessment of your current setup to get you on the path to effective Genius maintenance or migration from Genius to the RX3i. Contact Qualitrol for all your Genius needs and consider us for help with your migration solutions today!

Contact us at 1-888-690-7388 to talk to our technicians and find out more about how we can help. Go to our website and download our free guide, Genius End of Life