Description
- Model: GE 8106-TI-RT
- Brand: GE (General Electric / GE Fanuc)
- Series: 8000 Series Process I/O
- Core Function: 8-Channel RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) Input
- Product Type: Analog Input Module / Temperature Module
- Key Specs: 8 Channels | Supports Pt100, Ni120, Cu10 | 16-bit Resolution
- Number of Channels: 8 isolated channels
- Input Types: Pt100, Pt1000, Ni120, Cu10, and Resistance (0-500 Ω / 0-5000 Ω)
- Resolution: 16-bit A/D conversion
- Accuracy: ±0.1% of span (typical at 25°C)
- Isolation: 1500 V AC field-to-logic
- Update Rate: Approximately 100ms for all 8 channels
- Power Consumption: 100 mA @ 5V DC (backplane)
- Wiring Configuration: 2, 3, or 4-wire RTD support
- Filter Frequency: 50/60 Hz rejection (software selectable)
- Diagnostics: Open circuit and short circuit detection per channel
GE 8106-TI-RT
Application Scenarios & Pain Points
In process industries like power generation or glass manufacturing, temperature stability is everything. The GE 8000 series was a workhorse for these “high-heat” environments. The 8106-TI-RT is specifically designed to handle the low-voltage signals coming from RTDs without letting electromagnetic noise from nearby motors ruin your data. If your process is suddenly showing “drift” or the PID loops are hunting for no reason, the internal reference on an aging 8106 module is often the silent culprit.
Typical Application Scenarios:
- Bearing Temperature Monitoring: Tracking the heat in massive turbine or pump bearings to prevent catastrophic mechanical failure.
- HVAC Control: Precision monitoring of chilled water loops in large-scale industrial cooling systems.
- Chemical Reactors: Ensuring the “jacket” temperature of a reactor stays within the narrow +/- 0.5°C window required for specific catalysts.
- Heat Treating Ovens: Managing multi-zone temperature profiles where 8 channels per module provide a dense, cost-effective footprint.
Real-World Case: The “Jumping” Temperature Mystery
Background: A municipal power plant was using a GE 8000 system to monitor boiler feed pump temperatures. Everything worked fine for 15 years until a summer heatwave hit.
Problem: The HMI started showing 250°C spikes on Channel 3, which would trigger a nuisance alarm and almost trip the pump. The plant tech checked the RTD probe and the wiring; everything looked solid. They even swapped the probe with Channel 4, but the problem stayed on Channel 3 of the GE 8106-TI-RT module.
Solution: It turned out the internal multiplexer on the module was failing at high ambient cabinet temperatures. We supplied a New Surplus 8106-TI-RT from our stock. Because this is a “smart” I/O module, the tech just had to pull the old one and seat the new one into the carrier.
Result: The temperature readings returned to a flat line. The pump stayed online, and the plant avoided a $12,000 emergency restart fee. Engineer’s advice: If one channel starts acting up while others are fine, and the field-side checks out, don’t waste time—just swap the module.
GE 8106-TI-RT
Compatible Replacement Models
The 8000 series has a few “flavors” of temperature modules. Make sure you aren’t trying to plug a Thermocouple card into an RTD application.
| Model | Type | Compatibility | Difference |
| 8106-TI-RT | RTD | ✅ Exact Match | 8-Channel RTD / Resistance |
| 8105-TI-TC | Thermocouple | ❌ Incompatible | Designed for mV signals from TCs, not resistance |
| 8109-TI-RT | High-Density RTD | ⚠️ Software Change | 16-channel version; requires different carrier/config |
A Quick Tip on Wiring: If you are using 3-wire RTDs (the most common), make sure your lead-wire compensation is configured correctly in the software. The 8106 is great at canceling out wire resistance, but only if you tell it which wire is which!
Troubleshooting Quick Reference
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Correlation | Quick Check | Action |
| Channel reads “High Scale” | Open circuit / Broken wire | ✅ High | Use a jumper wire across terminals at the module; reading should go to 0°C/Resistance. | Check field junction boxes for loose terminals. |
| All channels reading 0 | Power supply failure | ⚠️ Medium | Check the 5V status LED on the bus controller. | Replace backplane power supply. |
| Unstable/Noisy readings | Shielding / Grounding | ✅ High | Check if the RTD shield is grounded at one end only. | Ensure shield is grounded at the I/O cabinet, not at the motor. |
| Module “I/O Fault” LED | Internal Self-test failure | ✅ High | Cycle power to the rack. If LED returns, it’s a hardware fault. | Replace the 8106-TI-RT. |
Final Tech Note: When replacing these modules, pay attention to the “Keying” on the carrier. If the plastic keys have been modified, someone might have forced a different module type into that slot in the past. Always verify the part number on the side of the module before you “clinch” it into place.
GE 8106-TI-RT
Inventory List: GE 8000 & Fanuc Series
- GE 8106-TI-RT (RTD Input)
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- GE 8103-AI-TX (Standard Analog Input)
- GE 8204-DO-DC (Digital Output)
- GE 8201-HI-TX (HART Analog Output)
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