Honeywell CC-PCF901 | Control Firewall Module for Experion C300 / FTE

Description

Key Technical Specifications

Product Introduction

In a Honeywell Experion C300 cabinet, the CC-PCF901 is easy to misidentify because it sits in the same IOTA-based hardware family as controllers and I/O modules. It is not a controller, not an analog or digital I/O card, and not a generic managed Ethernet switch. It is a control firewall module that manages Fault Tolerant Ethernet distribution inside the cabinet while protecting the C300 controller and Series C I/O from uncontrolled upper-network traffic.

The CC-PCF901 provides eight local FTE ports for cabinet devices and one uplink toward the plant control network. It supports redundant FTE, performs power-on and run-time diagnostics, suppresses broadcast storms, and prioritizes uplink traffic so that controller communications are not starved by unrelated IP traffic. In redundant C300 architectures, two CC-PCF901 modules are commonly used to maintain A/B FTE paths.

Bottom line: this module is critical for cabinet-level FTE integrity and controller availability. It should be treated as a verified infrastructure component, not as a generic network switch replacement.

Honeywell CC-PCF901

QA/QC Transparency SOP

1. Intake & Origin Verification — Confirm model CC-PCF901, part number 51405047-176 if applicable, revision, serial number and physical condition. Reject units with damaged Ethernet/fiber ports, bent pins, moisture ingress or missing mounting hardware.
2. Visual & Mechanical Inspection — Inspect RJ45/fiber connectors, IOTA mating interface, front-panel LEDs and label integrity. Check for corrosion, rework or physical stress on the uplink and local port interfaces.
3. Power-Up & Self-Test — Install on a compatible CC-TCF901 IOTA and apply 24 VDC. Verify power-on self-test, LED status and absence of persistent fault indications.
4. Port & Uplink Verification — Test local port connectivity and uplink communication. Validate that redundant FTE paths behave as expected when one path is disconnected. Confirm broadcast-storm suppression and uplink priority behavior where testable.
5. Final QC & Packaging — Seal in ESD-safe packaging with photos, part number, revision, test notes and a packing list noting which ports and diagnostics were verified on-site.

Field Engineer Gotchas

• It is not a general-purpose Ethernet switch. The CC-PCF901 is designed for Honeywell FTE cabinet distribution. Using it as a generic network switch may not deliver expected behavior and may not be supported.
• It requires the correct IOTA. The module mounts on the CC-TCF901 Control Firewall IOTA. Installing it on an incompatible IOTA will prevent proper operation.
• Redundancy depends on architecture. A single CC- does not create FTE redundancy by itself. Redundant FTE requires proper cabling, dual firewalls and correct controller configuration.
• Uplink type must match the design. Some installations use copper uplinks; others use single-mode or multi-mode fiber. Verify the required uplink media before replacement.
• The controller is CC-PCNT01; the firewall is CC-. Swapping or mislabeling these modules can cause extended commissioning delays.
• Firmware and revision matter. A replacement module may power up but still fail to integrate cleanly if the firmware or hardware revision is incompatible with the existing cabinet.

Honeywell CC-PCF901

Application Scenarios

• Distributes redundant FTE to the controller and Series C I/O while isolating the control layer from excessive plant-network traffic.
• Power plant DCS upgrade. Maintains deterministic controller communication during network scans, historian polling and third-party OPC connections.
• Chemical plant brownfield maintenance. Replaces a failed control firewall module during a turnaround, restoring redundant FTE without rewiring the entire cabinet.
• Remote terminal or utility cabinet. Uses fiber uplink options to extend FTE connectivity between cabinets or across longer distances while preserving control-network priority.

FAQ

No. It is a control firewall and FTE distribution module for and Series C I/O cabinets.

No. The controller is CC-PCNT01. The CC- is the control firewall module.

What does it do in the cabinet?
It distributes FTE to local devices, provides an uplink to the control network, suppresses broadcast storms and protects the controller from uncontrolled IP traffic.

Does it support redundancy?
Yes. It supports redundant FTE architectures, typically with two firewall modules providing A/B paths.

What power does it require?
It operates from 24 VDC, with approximately 0.112 A reported in distributor documentation.

Can I use it as a standalone Ethernet switch?
Not recommended. It is intended for Honeywell Experion / Series C FTE cabinet applications.

What IOTA does it mount on?
It mounts on the CC-TCF901 Control Firewall IOTA.