T8311C
May 15, 2026

T8311C

The T8311C is a Triple Modular Redundant (TMR) Expander Interface Module manufactured by ICS Triplex / Rockwell Automation for the Trusted T8000 Safety Instrumented System (SIS). It installs in the main controller chassis (T8100/T8400) and serves as the high‑speed master bridge between the internal IMB (Inter‑Module Bus) and one or more T8300 Expander Chassis, enabling large‑scale I/O expansion while maintaining SIL 3 / SIL 4 safety integrity and TMR (3‑2‑0) fault tolerance. Purpose: High‑speed communication & control for T8300 expander chassis Architecture: TMR (3‑2‑0 fault tolerant), HIFT (Hardware Implemented Fault Tolerant) Safety Certification: IEC 61508 SIL 3, TÜV Rheinland certified Compatibility: T8100/T8400 main chassis, T8300 expander chassis, TC‑301 copper cable, T8240 power shelf Max Expanders: 8 × T8300 per T8311C 2. Product Overview The T8311C is a hot‑swappable, single‑width processor module that provides: TMR triple‑core processing for expander I/O data and diagnostics 250 Mbps high‑speed IMB master communication to T8300 chassis Redundant 24 V DC power from main chassis backplane Comprehensive fault diagnostics & real‑time status reporting Hot‑swap support (online replacement without system shutdown) It connects to each T8300 via TC‑301 shielded twisted‑pair copper cable (30 m max) or fiber optic link (10 km max). 3. Specifications 3.1 Mechanical Form Factor: Single‑width T8000 module Dimensions (H×W×D): 241 mm × 30 mm × 300 mm (9.5” × 1.2” × 11.8”) Weight: 1.14 kg (2.51 lbs) Mounting: Horizontal slot in T8100/T8400 main chassis (processor slot) Construction: EMC‑shielded steel, hot‑swap latch Coating: Conformal coated (MIL‑I‑46058C, IPC‑CC‑830) 3.2 Electrical Supply Voltage: 20–32 V DC (nominal 24 V DC) Power Consumption: 40 W typical, 54 W max Backplane Current: 1.7 A @ 24 V DC Communication Port: IMB (Expander), 250 Mbps Cable: TC‑301 shielded twisted pair Isolation: 2500 V DC (field ↔ system) Clock Frequency: 50 MHz 3.3 Environmental Operating Temperature: –5 °C to +60 °C (23 °F to 140 °F) Storage Temperature: –25 °C to +70 °C (–13 °F to 158 °F) Humidity: 5–95 % RH, non‑condensing Altitude: ≤ 2000 m Vibration: IEC 60068‑2‑6 (1 g, 10–150 Hz) Shock: IEC 60068‑2‑27 (15 g, 11 ms) Protection Rating: IP20 (board‑level), IP40 (cabinet‑mounted) Hazardous Area: ATEX II 3G Ex ec IIC T4 Gc 3.4 Performance Processor: 50 MHz TMR triple‑core CPU Memory: 512 MB RAM, 16 GB SSD Data Rate: 250 Mbps (IMB ↔ T8300) Max Expander Chassis: 8 I/O Capacity: Up to 112 I/O modules (8 × 14 slots) 4. Front Panel & LED Indicators The T8311C front panel has 9 LEDs (3 per TMR slice) and one IMB (Expander) port: LED Status (per slice: PWR, OK, FAULT) PWR (Green): On = 24 V DC power OK; Off = No power OK (Green): On = TMR health OK; Flashing = Minor fault (e.g., communication warning) FAULT (Red): On = Critical fault (overvoltage, overtemperature, IMB loss, slice mismatch) IMB (Expander) Port Label: IMB (Expander) Connector: RJ45‑style for TC‑301 cable Status: Link/activity indicated by OK/FAULT LEDs 5. Compatibility & Accessories 5.1 Required Accessories TC‑301: 30 m IMB copper cable (T8311C ↔ T8300) T8300: 6U expander chassis (14 I/O slots) T8240: 1U power shelf (24 V DC for T8300) 5.2 Compatible Main Chassis T8100: Trusted Processor Chassis T8400: Trusted Controller Chassis 5.3 Compatible I/O Modules (in T8300) T8401: 16‑ch 24 V DC Digital Input T8402: 16‑ch Digital Output (24 V DC) T8403: 8‑ch Analog Input (4–20 mA) T8404: 8‑ch Analog Output (4–20 mA) T8451: 8‑ch RTD Input T8461: 8‑ch Thermocouple Input 6. Installation (Hot‑Swap Supported) 6.1 Module Insertion Align T8311C with guides in main chassis processor slot. Push firmly until fully seated (backplane connector engaged). Close front latch to secure. The module will power on and begin TMR synchronization within 60 seconds. 6.2 IMB Cable Connection (T8311C ↔ T8300) Connect one end of TC‑301 to the IMB (Expander) port on T8311C front panel. Connect the other end to the IMB port on the rear panel of the target T8300. Tighten connector screws; avoid sharp bends (min. bend radius = 8× cable diameter). Set T8300 backplane DIP switches to unique addresses (2–8). 6.3 Hot‑Swap Replacement Open front latch of faulty T8311C. Pull module straight out (no power shutdown required). Insert new T8311C (same part number) and close latch. System will auto‑synchronize within 2 minutes; no reconfiguration needed. 7. Operation & Diagnostics TMR Synchronization: On power‑up, three internal slices sync within 60 seconds. Fault Tolerance: Any single slice failure triggers automatic reconfiguration (3‑2‑0) with no downtime. Diagnostics: All faults are logged to the main system HMI and local LEDs. Expander Control: T8311C polls all T8300 I/O modules, processes data, and communicates with the main controller. 8. Maintenance & Troubleshooting 8.1 Routine Maintenance Quarterly: Check LED status, cable tightness, and latch security. Annually: Clean front panel with dry lint‑free cloth; inspect connectors for wear. 8.2 Common Issues PWR LED Off: Check main chassis 24 V DC supply; reseat module. OK LED Flashing: Verify TC‑301 cable; check T8300 DIP switch address. FAULT LED On: Replace T8311C; check for overheating or IMB short circuit. No Expander Communication: Ensure T8300 is powered; reseat TC‑301 connectors. 9. Safety & Compliance Install only in Trusted T8000 SIS environments. Disconnect AC power before wiring (except hot‑swap module replacement). Use shielded cables; comply with IEC 61000‑6‑2 / 6‑4.

Description

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The T8311C is a Triple Modular Redundant (TMR) Expander Interface Module manufactured by ICS Triplex / Rockwell Automation for the Trusted T8000 Safety Instrumented System (SIS). It installs in the main controller chassis (T8100/T8400) and serves as the high‑speed master bridge between the internal IMB (Inter‑Module Bus) and one or more T8300 Expander Chassis, enabling large‑scale I/O expansion while maintaining SIL 3 / SIL 4 safety integrity and TMR (3‑2‑0) fault tolerance.
  • Purpose: High‑speed communication & control for T8300 expander chassis

  • Architecture: TMR (3‑2‑0 fault tolerant), HIFT (Hardware Implemented Fault Tolerant)

  • Safety Certification: IEC 61508 SIL 3, TÜV Rheinland certified

  • Compatibility: T8100/T8400 main chassis, T8300 expander chassis, TC‑301 copper cable, T8240 power shelf

  • Max Expanders: 8 × T8300 per T8311C


2. Product Overview

The T8311C is a hot‑swappable, single‑width processor module that provides:
  • TMR triple‑core processing for expander I/O data and diagnostics

  • 250 Mbps high‑speed IMB master communication to T8300 chassis

  • Redundant 24 V DC power from main chassis backplane

  • Comprehensive fault diagnostics & real‑time status reporting

  • Hot‑swap support (online replacement without system shutdown)

It connects to each T8300 via TC‑301 shielded twisted‑pair copper cable (30 m max) or fiber optic link (10 km max).

3. Specifications

3.1 Mechanical

  • Form Factor: Single‑width T8000 module

  • Dimensions (H×W×D): 241 mm × 30 mm × 300 mm (9.5” × 1.2” × 11.8”)

  • Weight: 1.14 kg (2.51 lbs)

  • Mounting: Horizontal slot in T8100/T8400 main chassis (processor slot)

  • Construction: EMC‑shielded steel, hot‑swap latch

  • Coating: Conformal coated (MIL‑I‑46058C, IPC‑CC‑830)

3.2 Electrical

  • Supply Voltage: 20–32 V DC (nominal 24 V DC)

  • Power Consumption: 40 W typical, 54 W max

  • Backplane Current: 1.7 A @ 24 V DC

  • Communication Port: IMB (Expander), 250 Mbps

  • Cable: TC‑301 shielded twisted pair

  • Isolation: 2500 V DC (field ↔ system)

  • Clock Frequency: 50 MHz

3.3 Environmental

  • Operating Temperature: –5 °C to +60 °C (23 °F to 140 °F)

  • Storage Temperature: –25 °C to +70 °C (–13 °F to 158 °F)

  • Humidity: 5–95 % RH, non‑condensing

  • Altitude: ≤ 2000 m

  • Vibration: IEC 60068‑2‑6 (1 g, 10–150 Hz)

  • Shock: IEC 60068‑2‑27 (15 g, 11 ms)

  • Protection Rating: IP20 (board‑level), IP40 (cabinet‑mounted)

  • Hazardous Area: ATEX II 3G Ex ec IIC T4 Gc

3.4 Performance

  • Processor: 50 MHz TMR triple‑core CPU

  • Memory: 512 MB RAM, 16 GB SSD

  • Data Rate: 250 Mbps (IMB ↔ T8300)

  • Max Expander Chassis: 8

  • I/O Capacity: Up to 112 I/O modules (8 × 14 slots)


4. Front Panel & LED Indicators

The T8311C front panel has 9 LEDs (3 per TMR slice) and one IMB (Expander) port:

LED Status (per slice: PWR, OK, FAULT)

  • PWR (Green): On = 24 V DC power OK; Off = No power

  • OK (Green): On = TMR health OK; Flashing = Minor fault (e.g., communication warning)

  • FAULT (Red): On = Critical fault (overvoltage, overtemperature, IMB loss, slice mismatch)

IMB (Expander) Port

  • Label: IMB (Expander)

  • Connector: RJ45‑style for TC‑301 cable

  • Status: Link/activity indicated by OK/FAULT LEDs


5. Compatibility & Accessories

5.1 Required Accessories

  • TC‑301: 30 m IMB copper cable (T8311C ↔ T8300)

  • T8300: 6U expander chassis (14 I/O slots)

  • T8240: 1U power shelf (24 V DC for T8300)

5.2 Compatible Main Chassis

  • T8100: Trusted Processor Chassis

  • T8400: Trusted Controller Chassis

5.3 Compatible I/O Modules (in T8300)

  • T8401: 16‑ch 24 V DC Digital Input

  • T8402: 16‑ch Digital Output (24 V DC)

  • T8403: 8‑ch Analog Input (4–20 mA)

  • T8404: 8‑ch Analog Output (4–20 mA)

  • T8451: 8‑ch RTD Input

  • T8461: 8‑ch Thermocouple Input


6. Installation (Hot‑Swap Supported)

6.1 Module Insertion

  1. Align T8311C with guides in main chassis processor slot.

  2. Push firmly until fully seated (backplane connector engaged).

  3. Close front latch to secure.

  4. The module will power on and begin TMR synchronization within 60 seconds.

6.2 IMB Cable Connection (T8311C ↔ T8300)

  1. Connect one end of TC‑301 to the IMB (Expander) port on T8311C front panel.

  2. Connect the other end to the IMB port on the rear panel of the target T8300.

  3. Tighten connector screws; avoid sharp bends (min. bend radius = 8× cable diameter).

  4. Set T8300 backplane DIP switches to unique addresses (2–8).

6.3 Hot‑Swap Replacement

  1. Open front latch of faulty T8311C.

  2. Pull module straight out (no power shutdown required).

  3. Insert new T8311C (same part number) and close latch.

  4. System will auto‑synchronize within 2 minutes; no reconfiguration needed.


7. Operation & Diagnostics

  • TMR Synchronization: On power‑up, three internal slices sync within 60 seconds.

  • Fault Tolerance: Any single slice failure triggers automatic reconfiguration (3‑2‑0) with no downtime.

  • Diagnostics: All faults are logged to the main system HMI and local LEDs.

  • Expander Control: T8311C polls all T8300 I/O modules, processes data, and communicates with the main controller.


8. Maintenance & Troubleshooting

8.1 Routine Maintenance

  • Quarterly: Check LED status, cable tightness, and latch security.

  • Annually: Clean front panel with dry lint‑free cloth; inspect connectors for wear.

8.2 Common Issues

  • PWR LED Off: Check main chassis 24 V DC supply; reseat module.

  • OK LED Flashing: Verify TC‑301 cable; check T8300 DIP switch address.

  • FAULT LED On: Replace T8311C; check for overheating or IMB short circuit.

  • No Expander Communication: Ensure T8300 is powered; reseat TC‑301 connectors.


9. Safety & Compliance

  • Install only in Trusted T8000 SIS environments.

  • Disconnect AC power before wiring (except hot‑swap module replacement).

  • Use shielded cables; comply with IEC 61000‑6‑2 / 6‑4.


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