531X300CCHAXM3 | Replace 531X300CCHA Series Rack

Description

Product Introduction

Networking is the backbone of modern control. The GE 531X300CCHAXM3 is the 300-series chassis with an integrated 8-port managed Ethernet switch—no separate switch in the cabinet, no extra power supply, no additional wiring. It’s the chassis for systems that need to connect multiple drives to a plant network, HMIs, or PLCs with minimal footprint and cost.

The “AXM3” suffix tells the story: “A” is the standard filter, “X” indicates the switch integration, and “M3″ gives you the 92mm fans (65 CFM) with Molex Mini-Fit connectors. The switch is a compact 8-port managed unit (10/100 Mbps, full duplex) mounted at the bottom of the chassis. It has 6 front-access ports and 2 rear ports that connect to the backplane for internal communication. The switch is managed via a web interface or SNMP, with support for VLANs, QoS, and port mirroring. It’s powered from the 24V backplane rail (draws about 5W). The chassis includes the standard A-filter, the distributed-ground backplane, and the M3 cooling package. The depth is 15.5” due to the switch module and cable clearance. One caveat: the switch is not hot-swappable—you must power down the chassis to replace it. The switch is also 10/100 Mbps, not Gigabit. If you need Gigabit, you’ll need an external switch.

Key Technical Specifications

Compatible Replacement Models

✅ Drop-in Replacement:

• 531X300CCHAXM3 directly replaces 531X300CCHAXM2 and 531X300CCHAXM1. The AXM3 has the same switch module, same ports, same management features. The only difference is the fans—the AXM3 has 92mm fans vs. 80mm on the earlier revisions. The RJ-45 ports are in the same position. Swap your boards over—the switch is pre-installed.
• 531X300CCHAAM5 (standard chassis): The AXM3 is the integrated switch version of the standard AM5 chassis. If you need network connectivity, the AXM3 is a direct replacement. The backplane and slot spacing are identical. Move your boards over—the switch is ready to go.

⚠️ Software Compatible (Requires Recompile):

• None. The switch is independent of your logic board. It just provides network connectivity. No recompile needed for the chassis. However, you may need to configure the switch’s VLANs or QoS settings to match your plant network—that’s done via the switch’s web interface, not the chassis.

❌ Hardware Incompatible:

• 531X300CCHAXM3 with a 210-series power supply: The 210-series supply doesn’t fit in the 212-series bay. You need a 212-series PSU.
• 531X300CCHAXM3 with Gigabit equipment: The switch is 10/100 Mbps only. If you need Gigabit, you’ll need an external Gigabit switch. The integrated switch is sufficient for most drive control networks (Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP, Profinet), which typically run at 100 Mbps.
• 531X300CCHAXM3 in a rack depth under 16.5″: The chassis is 16.5″ deep with the switch and rear shroud. Remove the rear shroud (drops depth to 15.5″) if needed—the RJ-45 ports are on the front panel, so they don’t affect depth. But the switch module still requires internal depth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What’s the purpose of the integrated switch?

A: It lets you connect your drive chassis directly to your plant network without an external switch. The switch has 8 ports—you can connect your PLC, HMI, other drives, and a programming laptop. It saves space, reduces cabling, and eliminates an extra power supply. It also provides network management features (VLANs, QoS) that help prioritize control traffic.

Q: Can I use the switch to daisy-chain multiple drives?

A: Yes. The switch has 8 ports. You can connect multiple drives to the switch, and then connect the switch to your plant network. The switch supports spanning tree (STP/RSTP) for redundant network topologies. Daisy-chaining is supported—you can connect one switch to another using any port.

Q: What’s the default IP address of the switch?

A: The default IP address is 192.168.1.200, with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. The default username is admin and the password is password (no quotes). Change these during initial setup. The switch is accessible via web browser or Telnet.

Q: Can I use the switch for Profinet or Ethernet/IP?

A: Yes. The switch is a standard managed Ethernet switch. It passes all Ethernet traffic—Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, or any other protocol. The switch doesn’t interpret the protocols; it just forwards Ethernet frames. For industrial protocols, we recommend enabling QoS (802.1p) to prioritize control traffic.

Q: The AXM3 has 92mm fans. Is the cooling better than the AXM2?

A: Yes. The AXM3 has 92mm fans (65 CFM) vs. 80mm fans (45 CFM) on the AXM2. That’s a 44% increase in airflow. The switch adds about 5W of heat, so the improved cooling is beneficial. The AXM3 runs about 8°C cooler at full load.

Q: Can I use the AXM3 with a 24V DC power supply?

A: No. The AXM3 is designed for the 212-series AC power supply. The switch is powered from the 24V backplane rail, which is derived from the AC input. If you need DC input, you’d need the ADM chassis (531X300CCHADMx) with an external switch. The AXM3 is AC-only.

Q: Does the switch support Power over Ethernet (PoE)?

A: No. The switch does not support PoE. If you need to power devices over Ethernet (e.g., IP cameras, wireless access points), you’ll need an external PoE injector or switch. The integrated switch is for data only.

Q: Can I replace the switch module if it fails?

A: Yes. The switch module is a field-replaceable cartridge. Turn off the chassis, remove the switch module (held by two screws), slide in a new one, and power up. The switch module is not hot-swappable—you must power down the chassis first. We stock replacement switch modules (part number 531X300SWM1).

Q: What’s the maximum cable length for the Ethernet ports?

A: The standard 100 meters (328 feet) for 10/100Base-TX over CAT5e or CAT6 cable. Use shielded cable (STP) in industrial environments to reduce noise. The switch’s ports are autosensing for MDI/MDIX, so you can use straight-through or crossover cables.

Q: Does the switch have diagnostic LEDs?

A: Yes. Each port has two LEDs: one for link/activity (green) and one for speed (yellow for 10 Mbps, green for 100 Mbps). The switch also has a power LED (green) and a fault LED (red). The LEDs are on the front panel, just above the RJ-45 ports.

Q: Can I use the AXM3 in a 55°C ambient environment?

A: The switch is rated to 50°C ambient. Above 50°C, the switch will start dropping packets and may eventually fault. The chassis is rated to 55°C, but the switch is the limiting component. If your cabinet exceeds 50°C, we recommend adding external cooling or using the EM5 extended-temperature chassis with an external switch.

Q: Does the switch support port mirroring?

A: Yes. Port mirroring is supported via the web interface or SNMP. You can mirror traffic from any port to a dedicated monitoring port for network analysis. This is useful for troubleshooting or intrusion detection. The switch supports up to 8 mirrored sessions.

REXROTH INDRAMAT FWA-MTCP01-M05-23VRS-NN
ABB CI532V02
A-B 1771-HS1