Comprehensive Product Summary – ECH‑PCI‑CE‑H7A (PCI Expansion 7‑Slot Half‑Size Grey Chassis)

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: PCI Expansion 7 Slots Half Size Grey Chassis
Model Number: ECH‑PCI‑CE‑H7A
Article Number: ECH‑PCI‑CE‑H7A
Series: ECH(PCI)BE‑H7A Bus Extension Type Expansion Chassis
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan)
Product Category: Industrial Automation / Measurement and Control – Bus Expansion System

The CONTEC ECH‑PCI‑CE‑H7A is a half‑size, seven‑slot PCI bus expansion chassis designed to extend the PCI bus of a host PC. It provides additional PCI slots for industrial measurement, control, and automation applications. The chassis is part of CONTEC’s ECH(PCI)BE‑H series, which includes models with 4, 7, and 13 slots, available in both short and long board configurations.

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### 2. Key Features

- Seven PCI Expansion Slots: Provides seven short‑size PCI (5 V, 32‑bit, 33 MHz) slots for additional peripheral boards.
- Bus Extension Architecture: Extends the host PC’s PCI bus via a dedicated expansion adapter and high‑speed connection cable.
- Built‑in Power Supply: Integrated 130 W power supply with selectable 115 V/230 V AC input.
- Automatic Power Synchronization: The chassis power turns on and off in synchronization with the host PC’s power supply.
- Industrial‑Grade Steel Construction: Durable, light‑grey steel chassis suitable for factory and laboratory environments.
- Cooling System: Equipped with a built‑in cooling fan and ventilation slits to maintain stable operation under continuous load.
- Rack‑Mountable Design: Includes brackets and screws for horizontal or vertical rack mounting.
- Compatibility: Supports standard PCI Local Bus Specification Rev 2.3 (+5 V type).
- Ease of Integration: Works with CONTEC expansion adapters for PCI, Low‑Profile PCI, PCI Express, and CardBus host interfaces.
- Safety and Reliability: Designed for 0 – 50 °C operation, 20 – 80 % RH (non‑condensing), with built‑in overcurrent protection and CE‑compliant power supply.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|------------------|
| Bus Type | PCI Local Bus Specification Rev 2.3 (+5 V type) |
| Address Space | 32‑bit memory and I/O addressing |
| Interrupt Level | INTA – INTD |
| Bus Clock | 33 MHz (maximum) |
| Number of Slots | 7 × PCI short‑size slots |
| Acceptable Board Size | 176.5 (L) × 107 (H) mm |
| Power Supply Output | +5 V DC 11.3 A (max), +3.3 V DC 6 A (max), +12 V DC 3 A (max), –12 V DC 0.7 A (max) |
| Total Power Capacity | 130 W (max) @ 40 °C (CE‑marked condition) |
| AC Input Voltage | 115 V / 230 V AC ± 10 % (selectable switch) |
| AC Line Frequency | 50 – 60 Hz |
| AC Input Current | 3 A @ 115 V AC / 1.5 A @ 230 V AC |
| Operating Temperature | 0 – 50 °C |
| Operating Humidity | 20 – 80 % RH (non‑condensing) |
| Storage Temperature | 0 – 60 °C |
| Storage Humidity | 10 – 90 % RH (non‑condensing) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 300.0 (W) × 138.0 (H) × 255.0 (L) mm (no fittings) |
| Weight | Approx. 5.0 kg |
| Material / Finish | Steel chassis, light‑grey finish |
| Cooling | Forced‑air cooling with internal fan |
| Power Cable | 2.5 m, 3‑pin grounded AC cable |
| Compliance | CE‑marked, RoHS‑compliant |
| Expected Component Life | Power supply ≈ 5 years; Fan ≈ 5 years; Fan filter ≈ 1 year (at 25 °C, 60 % RH) |

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### 4. Functionality

The ECH‑PCI‑CE‑H7A functions as an external PCI bus extension unit. It connects to a host PC through a dedicated CONTEC expansion adapter (EAD series) and a 1 m high‑speed cable. The adapter installed in the host PC communicates directly with the backplane inside the chassis, allowing the installed PCI boards to operate as if they were mounted internally in the PC.

Supported Expansion Adapters:
- EAD(PCI)BE: For standard PCI slot host PCs.
- EAD(LPCI)BE: For low‑profile PCI slot host PCs.
- EAD‑BE‑LPE: For PCI Express host PCs.
- EAD(CB)BE: For CardBus (not supported with H7A model).

Typical Use Cases:
- Industrial measurement and control systems requiring multiple I/O boards.
- Data acquisition, motion control, and communication interface expansion.
- Laboratory automation and test equipment integration.
- Embedded or panel PC systems needing additional PCI slots.

Compatibility Notes:
- The chassis cannot be daisy‑chained with another expansion chassis.
- Video boards, additional PCI‑to‑PCI bridge boards, or boards marked “Cannot be used with PCI‑to‑PCI Bridge” are not supported.
- Some PCI‑compliant boards may not function due to host BIOS or bridge limitations.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- ECH‑PCI‑CE‑H7A expansion chassis (1 unit)
- Power cable (1 × 2.5 m, 3‑pin)
- Rack‑mount brackets (2 pcs)
- Bracket fixing screws (4 pcs)
- Slot covers (7 pcs)
- Board fixing screws (7 pcs)
- Rubber feet (4 pcs)
- User’s manual (1 copy)

Optional Accessories:
- Expansion adapters (EAD series)
- Dedicated connection cable (CB‑BF96 or CB‑CB68/96, 1 m)
- Replacement fan units (FAN1238 / FAN0925 / FAN1225S etc.)
- Replacement power supply modules (POW300 / POW301 series)
- Air filters (FLT120 / FLT121 series)

Connectors:
- 96‑pin interface connector (BUS‑PAC(PCI)A) for expansion cable connection.
- AC inlet with integrated power switch and voltage selector.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

Requirements:
- Host PC with compatible expansion adapter installed.
- Available PCI, Low‑Profile PCI, or PCI Express slot depending on adapter type.
- Stable AC power source (100 – 240 V AC).

Mounting Options:
- Desktop: Rubber feet attached for horizontal placement.
- Rack Mount: Supplied brackets allow horizontal or vertical rack installation.
- Maintain at least 20 mm clearance around chassis for ventilation.

Setup Procedure:
1. Preparation: Power off both PC and chassis.
2. Install PCI Boards: Remove top cover, insert PCI boards into slots, secure with screws.
3. Connect Cable: Attach the 96‑pin cable between the expansion adapter and chassis connector (BUS‑PAC(PCI)A).
4. Power Connection: Plug the AC cable into the chassis and wall outlet.
5. Power Interlock Setting: JP1 jumper on BUS‑PAC(PCI)A determines synchronized or independent power operation.
6. Startup: Power on the PC; the chassis powers on automatically.
7. Verification: Confirm detection of “PCI‑to‑PCI Bridge” devices in Windows Device Manager.

Operating System Support:
Windows XP, 2000, Vista, and later versions (depending on adapter driver).

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

- Bus Performance: 33 MHz PCI bus operation, 32‑bit addressing, full compatibility with PCI Rev 2.3.
- Power Efficiency: 130 W internal PSU with high‑efficiency switching design.
- Thermal Management: Continuous fan‑assisted airflow ensures stable operation up to 50 °C ambient.
- Load Capacity: Supports multiple I/O, motion control, or communication boards within total current limits.
- Reliability: Industrial‑grade components rated for 24/7 operation in automation environments.
- Limitations:
- Not suitable for high‑speed video or graphics boards.
- Total current draw of installed boards must not exceed PSU ratings.
- Cannot be cascaded with another expansion chassis.

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

- Bus Standard: PCI Local Bus Specification Rev 2.3 (+5 V type)
- Electrical Safety: CE‑marked (EN 60950‑1 compliant)
- Environmental Compliance: RoHS‑compliant (lead‑free construction)
- EMC Compliance: Designed to meet EN 55022/EN 55024 industrial emission and immunity standards.
- Operating Environment: 0 – 50 °C, 20 – 80 % RH (non‑condensing)
- Storage Environment: 0 – 60 °C, 10 – 90 % RH (non‑condensing)
- Cooling & Ventilation: Forced‑air cooling with replaceable fan and filter.

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty:
- Limited three‑year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Excludes normal wear, misuse, or damage from improper installation.

Support & Service:
- Technical documentation, drivers, and updates available at:
- [https://www.contec.com](https://www.contec.com)
- Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) required for repairs.
- Global support offices in Japan, USA, China, and Europe.

Maintenance:
- Periodic inspection recommended to ensure ventilation slits are free of dust.
- Replace fan and power supply after approximately five years of continuous use.
- Replace air filter annually in dusty environments.

Safety Precautions:
- Do not operate in environments with flammable gases, corrosive vapors, or excessive dust.
- Always power off and disconnect cables before installing or removing boards.
- Maintain proper grounding to prevent electrostatic discharge.
- Ensure adequate airflow; avoid blocking ventilation openings.

Disposal:
- Dispose of the product in accordance with local electronic equipment recycling regulations.

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### Summary

The CONTEC ECH‑PCI‑CE‑H7A is a robust, industrial‑grade PCI expansion chassis providing seven additional short‑size PCI slots for host PCs. Designed for measurement, control, and automation systems, it extends the PCI bus externally while maintaining full electrical and timing compatibility with the host. Its built‑in 130 W power supply, automatic power synchronization, and steel construction make it ideal for demanding industrial environments. With flexible installation options, comprehensive safety features, and long‑term reliability, the ECH‑PCI‑CE‑H7A is a dependable solution for expanding PCI‑based systems in laboratories, production lines, and embedded control applications.