531X301DCCAXM1 | Replace 531X301DCCA Series Rack

Description

Product Introduction

Remote expansion racks often need network connectivity—and running a separate switch and power supply to every field location is costly. The GE 531X301DCCAXM1 is the 301-series expansion chassis with an integrated 8-port managed Ethernet switch, powered directly from the chassis’s DC input. It provides network access at the expansion rack without extra hardware.

The model number is descriptive: “301” is the expansion series, “DC” indicates DC input power, “CA” is the standard Class A filter (DC version), “X” adds the Ethernet switch, and “M1″ is the revision with the 80mm fans and the 50W DC power module. The switch is identical to the one in the 300CCHAXM3: 8-port 10/100 managed unit with VLAN, QoS, and port mirroring support. It has 6 front-access ports and 2 rear ports connected to the backplane. The switch is powered from the 24V backplane rail (5W draw). The chassis includes the standard 50W DC power module (5V @ 10A, 24V @ 3A), the expansion interface (fiber or cable), and the 80mm fans. The depth is 15.5” (slightly deeper than the standard AM1 due to the switch module).

Key Technical Specifications

Compatible Replacement Models

✅ Drop-in Replacement:

• 531X301DCCAXM1 directly replaces 531X301DCCAXM0. The XM1 has the same switch module, same ports, same management features. The only difference is the fans—the XM1 has improved fan bearings. Swap your boards and power module over.
• 531X301DCCAM1 (standard expansion chassis): The XM1 is the switch-integrated version of the standard AM1. If you need network connectivity at the expansion rack, the XM1 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. 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:

• 531X301DCCAXM1 with a master chassis that doesn’t support expansion: The master must have the expansion interface connector.
• 531X301DCCAXM1 with Gigabit equipment: The switch is 10/100 Mbps only. If you need Gigabit, you’ll need an external Gigabit switch.
• 531X301DCCAXM1 with a 212-series AC power supply: The XM1 is DC input only.
• 531X301DCCAXM1 in a rack depth under 16.5″: Remove the rear shroud (drops depth to 15.5″) if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What’s the purpose of the integrated switch on an expansion chassis?

A: It lets you connect your expansion rack directly to your plant network without a separate switch. The switch has 8 ports—you can connect your PLC, HMI, other drives, and a programming laptop. This is especially useful for remote expansion racks in the field.

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

A: Yes. The switch has 8 ports. You can connect multiple expansion chassis to the switch, and then connect the switch to your plant network. The switch supports spanning tree (STP/RSTP) for redundant network topologies. The expansion link and the Ethernet switch are independent.

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. 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. For industrial protocols, we recommend enabling QoS (802.1p) to prioritize control traffic.

Q: The XM1 has 80mm fans. Is that enough with the switch?

A: Yes. The switch adds about 5W of heat, which is well within the chassis’s thermal capacity. The 80mm fans (45 CFM) are sufficient for a fully loaded expansion chassis with the switch. The chassis runs slightly warmer than the standard AM1, but still well within the operating temperature range.

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, you’ll need an external PoE injector or switch.

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.

Q: Does the XM1 come with the expansion cable?

A: No. The expansion cable (fiber-optic or backplane ribbon) is not included. The XM1 has the ports for the cable, but you need to supply the cable separately. We recommend using the GE-supplied cable. We stock the cables if you need them.

Q: Can I use the XM1 with a 24V DC input?

A: Yes. The DC power module accepts 24V, 48V, or 125V DC, jumper-selectable. The input range for 24V is 19-30V. The switch draws 5W from the 24V rail, which is within the module’s capacity.

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 in industrial environments to reduce noise. The switch’s ports are auto-sensing for MDI/MDIX.

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.

Q: Can I use the XM1 with a 120V AC input?

A: No. The XM1 is DC input only. If you have AC power, you need the AC-input expansion chassis (531X301DCCAxx). The XM1 is for battery-backed or DC bus systems.

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EMERSON PMCSPAN
EMERSON PMCSPAN