G.E Speedtronic MKV Computer Interface Upgrade I to HMI

Hello Over there,

In the meantime the WINNT based HMI is obsolete. Option will be the new WIN XP OS. Don't forget that this upgrade from <I> to <HMI> will involve upgrade of the EEPROM's in the MK5 panel!

Assuming that the service life (and not the MTBF) of the HMI such as motherboard, HDD etc. is limited (depending on the environmental conditions up to 12 years I guess). There are several options for this issue:
1) Mitigation
2) Partial Upgrade
3) Migration

Answers on:
1) Mitigation: If you want to mitigate the obsolesces problem you may purchase a new PC (OS XP) and use the PCI Arcnet card. Alternatively, if your <I> remaining hardware is functioning properly and your concern is still the Arcnet card, you can use the ISA Arcnet card with your existing <I>.

2) Partial upgrade: will be purchasing of new XP OS HMI. Only address that can do this job properly is GE. It's not cheap but you will have guaranteed trouble free operation of your system!

3) Migration: Means upgrade from MK5 panel to MKVIe, which also includes the new XP HMI. If you have the budget to purchase this option go ahead and do it. At least you should be aware that, in the meantime the MK5 panel (with some of the IO cards etc.) would be soon declared obsolete by the OEM. Progressively the production of the remaining cards will stop. Of course you can still buy these cards from none OEM companies. If you don't have any reliability/availability concerns in your plant, you can go on "adventure" and try to "survive" with repaired/second hand cards. I wish you good luck. Professional companies they are no "adventurers" and therefore will not choose this way.

You can have a look to the following 3rd party suppliers: Matrikon OPC, GCI from Global-Controls, IBECS from CSE Eng. and TMOS from ITS.


YES FOR GE MKVIe...

Note: I am not from GE sales department!

Good Luck...
A. Oztas