DS3800NFEE | OEM GE Speedtronic Fiber Optic I/O

Description

Product Introduction

The DS3800NFEE is a single-channel fiber optic communications board with enterprise-grade diagnostics—the “E” in the suffix indicates enhanced diagnostic features, and the second “E” is a manufacturing revision. The board mounts in the Mark IV rack and provides a single electrically isolated, noise-immune communication link over distances up to 2 kilometers. It was designed for installations where only one remote link is needed and where detailed diagnostic feedback—including predictive failure alerting—is essential for preventive maintenance.

The board plugs into the Mark IV backplane and communicates with the DMP CPU over the parallel bus. The fiber optic channel operates at 2Mbps with an 850nm LED-based transmitter. The enterprise-grade diagnostics provide more detailed status reporting than the NFEC—including optical power trending, historical error logging, and predictive failure alerting. Compare this to the DS3800NFEC (single-channel fiber, expanded diagnostics). The NFEE gives you the same basic functionality with more advanced diagnostic capabilities.

Key Technical Specifications

Compatible Replacement Models

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What’s the difference between the NFEE and the NFEC?
The NFEE adds predictive failure alerting and historical error logging. The NFEC has expanded diagnostics but lacks predictive capabilities. The NFEE continuously monitors optical power trends and can predict when a fiber link is likely to fail—allowing you to schedule maintenance before the link goes down. If you need proactive maintenance alerts, choose the NFEE. If you only need real-time diagnostics, the NFEC is sufficient.

What’s the “Predictive Alert” LED?
The Predictive Alert LED indicates that the board has detected a trend suggesting an imminent link failure. The board continuously monitors the received optical power and error rates. If the power drops by more than 3dB over a rolling 30-day period, or if the error rate exceeds a threshold, the LED turns red and the board logs a predictive alert. This gives you advance warning—typically days or weeks—to clean connectors, replace fiber, or schedule maintenance.

Do I need to upgrade my DMP firmware for the predictive alerting?
The predictive failure alerting requires DMP firmware v3.5 or later. If you’re running an older firmware version, the board will still work, but the predictive alerting won’t be available. We can provide the firmware EPROMs for the upgrade if needed.

Can I use single-mode fiber with this board?
No, the NFEE uses 850nm LED transceivers designed for multimode fiber. Single-mode fiber won’t work. You’ll need 62.5/125µm multimode fiber with ST connectors.

Can I hot-swap this board?
No. Mark IV backplanes are not hot-swappable. Power down the cabinet, lock out the breaker, and wait 60 seconds before removing or installing the board.

What’s the most common failure mode on the NFEE?
We’ve serviced about a dozen NFEE boards. The most common failure is the LED transceiver—it degrades over time, reducing optical power output. The symptom is intermittent link drops or the Optical Power Good LED turning red. The predictive alert feature will typically warn you before the link fails completely. We replace the transceiver module. The edge connector is the second most common failure—corrosion from humidity. The board is repairable.

What’s your warranty and lead time?
We stock the NFEE in limited quantities. Lead time is 1-2 business days. We offer a 1-year warranty. We test every board with a 24-hour burn-in, a fiber optic loopback test, and a diagnostic verification. The test report is included.

Is this board compatible with the Mark VIe?
No. This board is for Mark IV systems only. The backplane architecture is different.

GE IS420UCSBH4A
GE IS420UCSBH1A
HIMA F8650X 984865065
ABB PP846