GE Multilin F60 Feeder Management Relay UR Series

The GE Multilin F60 is a comprehensive feeder management relay from the Universal Relay (UR) series, designed for protection, control, and metering of electrical distribution feeders in utility and industrial substations. The F60 provides high-speed protection against overcurrent, ground fault, and voltage anomalies, while offering extensive monitoring, event recording, and communication capabilities. This relay is suitable for medium-voltage and high-voltage feeder applications, including distribution networks, industrial power systems, and renewable energy collection points.

Key Protection Functions

• Overcurrent Protection: Phase, ground, and neutral time-overcurrent (50/51)

• Directional Overcurrent: Phase and ground directional elements (67)

• Voltage Protection: Overvoltage, undervoltage, and voltage-based directional (27/59)

• Ground Fault Detection: Sensitive ground fault and high-impedance fault detection (HI-Z)

• Breaker Control: Integrated breaker failure and reclosing functions (79)

• Thermal Protection: Overload protection with thermal modeling (49)

• Frequency Protection: Underfrequency and overfrequency (81)

Metering and Monitoring

The F60 provides comprehensive metering capabilities for system monitoring and analysis. Real-time measurements include three-phase currents and voltages, active and reactive power (watts and VARs), power factor, frequency, and energy accumulation (kWh and kVARh). The relay calculates demand values for peak load monitoring and records minimum and maximum readings with timestamps. All metered values are available locally on the front panel display and remotely via communication protocols.

FlexLogic Customization

A key feature of the UR series is FlexLogic, a powerful programmable logic engine that allows users to create custom protection and control schemes without external logic devices. FlexLogic combines protection elements, input status, timers, and virtual inputs into user-defined logic equations. The output of FlexLogic can control relay outputs, initiate breaker tripping, enable reclosing, or trigger alarm annunciation. This flexibility eliminates the need for auxiliary relays and timers, simplifying panel wiring and improving system reliability.

Hardware Configuration

The F60 is available in two mounting configurations: a standard 19-inch rack horizontal mount unit and a reduced-size vertical mount unit. The relay consists of modular components including the CPU module, faceplate interface, power supply, CT/VT input modules, digital I/O modules, and communication modules. The modular design allows users to specify exactly the number of analog inputs, digital inputs, and output contacts required for each application, minimizing cost and panel space.

Communication Protocols

The F60 supports multiple industry-standard communication protocols for integration with SCADA systems, PLCs, and substation automation networks. Supported protocols include Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP, IEC 61850 (with GOOSE messaging), DNP 3.0 (serial and TCP/IP), and IEC 60870-5-104. The relay can serve as a data concentrator, aggregating information from other IEDs and transmitting it to the control center. Multiple simultaneous protocol sessions are supported, allowing parallel access by different systems.

Event Recording and Oscillography

The F60 includes extensive event recording and oscillography capabilities for post-event analysis. The event recorder logs sequence-of-events records with 1 ms resolution, capturing changes in protection elements, input status, and output contacts. The oscillography feature records waveform data of currents and voltages before, during, and after fault events. Stored oscillography files can be retrieved via communication links and analyzed using GE's EnerVista software or third-party tools, helping engineers understand fault causes and verify protection settings.

EnerVista UR Setup Software

The relay is configured and monitored using GE's EnerVista UR Setup software. This Windows-based application provides an intuitive interface for setting protection parameters, creating FlexLogic equations, viewing real-time metering, and retrieving event records. The software includes offline simulation capabilities, allowing engineers to test protection settings and logic configurations before downloading to the relay. EnerVista also supports firmware updates and settings file management for fleet-wide configuration consistency.

Front Panel Interface

The F60 features a user-friendly front panel with a backlit LCD display, navigation keypad, and status LEDs. The display shows real-time measurements, active alarms, and relay settings. Menu-driven navigation provides access to all relay functions without external software. LEDs indicate power status, trip condition, alarm, and communication activity. A USB port on the front panel allows direct connection to a laptop for local configuration and data retrieval.

CT and VT Input Specifications

The F60 accepts analog inputs from current transformers (CTs) and voltage transformers (VTs). CT secondary ratings of 1A or 5A are supported, with programmable ratios for primary current scaling. VT inputs accept 69V to 240V secondary voltages. The relay's high-accuracy analog-to-digital conversion ensures precise measurement and protection even under fault conditions. Multiple CT/VT modules can be installed for applications requiring multiple current or voltage inputs.

Control Power and Outputs

The relay operates on control power ranging from 88-300V DC or 77-265V AC, with typical consumption of 35W or 35VA. Contact outputs are rated for pilot duty applications, with 250V AC at 7.5A resistive. Output contacts are available for trip, close, alarm, and auxiliary functions. Digital inputs accept 300V DC maximum, suitable for breaker status monitoring, external trip initiation, and selector switch positions.

Environmental and Physical Specifications

The F60 is designed for reliable operation in substation and industrial environments. Operating temperature range is -40°C to +60°C for extended temperature models, with humidity tolerance of 5-95% non-condensing. The relay meets IEC 60255 and ANSI C37.90 standards for electrical and mechanical withstand capability. The enclosure provides protection against dust and moisture appropriate for electrical control rooms and outdoor substation buildings.

Applications

The GE Multilin F60 is deployed across multiple power system applications. In utility distribution networks, it protects overhead feeders and underground cables. In industrial facilities, it protects medium-voltage feeders serving large motors, transformers, and process equipment. In renewable energy plants, it provides interconnection protection for wind farms and solar arrays. The relay's advanced protection functions and communication capabilities make it suitable for modern smart grid applications.

Standards and Compliance

The F60 complies with international standards for protection relays including IEC 60255 series and ANSI C37.90 series. CE marking confirms conformity with European directives. The relay is certified by major utilities and industrial organizations worldwide, ensuring acceptance in global projects.

Conclusion

The GE Multilin F60 Feeder Management Relay delivers comprehensive protection, control, and metering for distribution feeders. With FlexLogic customization, multiple communication protocols, and extensive event recording, it is a versatile solution for utility and industrial power system automation.