ABB REF615 Feeder Protection and Control

ABB REF615 Feeder Protection and Control

Product core positioning

ABB REF615 is Relion ®  The intelligent feeder protection and control IED (Intelligent Electronic Device) under the 615 series is designed specifically for distribution networks (including radiation, ring networks, mesh networks, supporting distributed generation) and industrial power systems. Its core function is to achieve primary protection, backup protection, control, measurement, and status monitoring of overhead lines and cable feeders.  

Core functional system

1. Protection function (full scenario fault protection)

Overcurrent and ground fault protection:

Including three-phase non directional/directional overcurrent protection (low/high/instantaneous level), non directional/directional grounding fault protection, supporting admittance type, harmonic type, and power type grounding fault protection (optional), suitable for different grounding methods of power grids;

Special protection: transient/intermittent grounding fault protection (for high impedance grounding networks), cross grounding fault protection, negative sequence overcurrent protection (equipment asymmetric fault), phase failure protection.

Voltage and frequency protection:

Three phase overvoltage/undervoltage, positive sequence undervoltage, negative sequence overvoltage, residual overvoltage protection, frequency protection (over frequency/under frequency/frequency change rate, only supported by H/J configuration), to prevent abnormal impact of grid voltage/frequency.

Equipment specific protection:

Circuit breaker failure protection, three-phase thermal overload protection for feeders/cables/distribution transformers, surge detection (to avoid transformer excitation surge misoperation), arc protection (optional, equipped with light sensors to quickly cut off switchgear arc faults).

2. Control and operation functions

Switchgear control: supports local/remote control of circuit breakers, isolating switches, and grounding switches, including position indication and interlocking logic configuration;

Automatic reclosing: Optional triple pole multiple reclosing (for instantaneous faults in overhead lines), supporting customized reclosing timing;

Simultaneous inspection: Configure H/J to support synchronous and energizing inspections to ensure safe grid connection of the two power grids (voltage, frequency, phase angle meet threshold values).

3. Measurement and monitoring functions

Electrical quantity measurement: three-phase current/voltage, sequence components (positive/negative/zero sequence current/voltage), residual current/voltage, three-phase power (P/Q/S), electrical energy, frequency, with measurement accuracy of ± 0.5% (current/voltage) and ± 1.5% (power);

Status monitoring: Circuit breaker status monitoring, trip circuit monitoring (TCS), current circuit monitoring, fuse fault monitoring, device self-test (hardware/software fault alarm);

Wave recording and logging: disturbance wave recording (COMTRADE format), event log (storing 1024 time stamped events), data recording (operating parameters, fault information).

4. Communication and integration functions

Multi protocol support: Native support for IEC 61850 (including GOOSE messages for fast communication between devices), IEC 60870-5-103, Modbus (RTU/TCP), DNP3 (serial/TCP), to meet different system integration requirements;

Redundant communication: Optional fiber optic/electrical Ethernet module, supporting HSR/PRP redundant protocol (zero switching time), RSTP self-healing ring network, ensuring communication reliability;

System adaptation: Compatible with ABB Grid Automation controller COM600, MicroSCADA Pro, and System 800xA, providing Connectivity Packages (including data models and SLD templates) for simplified integration.

Key technical parameters

1. Electrical specifications

Power supply: Type 1 (100-240V AC/24-60V DC), Type 2 (48-250V DC), power consumption ≤ 21W (AC)/18W (DC);

Current input: rated current 1/5A (phase current), 0.2/1A (residual current), continuous withstand 4/20A, 1-second withstand 100/500A;

Voltage input: 60-210V AC (phase voltage/line voltage), continuous withstand 240V AC, withstand 360V AC for 10 seconds;

Switching I/O: Binary input 24-250V DC (response time 3ms), relay output 250V AC/DC (continuous current 5-8A, short-term current 15-30A).

2. Environmental and physical parameters

Working environment: temperature -25~+55 ℃ (continuous), -40~+85 ℃ (short-term ＜ 16h), humidity ≤ 93% RH (no condensation), altitude ≤ 2000m;

Protection level: IP20 (installed inside the cabinet);

Size and weight: 177 × 177 × 201mm (4U), total weight 4.1kg, plug-in unit 2.1kg;

EMC and Certification: Compliant with IEC 61000-4 series immunity standards (static 8kV, surge 4kV), certified by KEMA IEC 61850 A1 and DNV type certification.

Standard configuration and customization options

1. Nine standard configurations (A-J, with the following core differences)

Configure core features to adapt to scenarios

A/B no directional overcurrent+directional grounding fault, B including circuit breaker status monitoring neutral point insulation/compensation grounding network

C/D non directional overcurrent+non directional grounding fault, D includes circuit breaker status monitoring direct/low resistance grounding network

Grounding fault in E/F direction+voltage measurement, industrial systems requiring voltage dependent protection for overcurrent/overvoltage protection in F direction

G supports combination sensors (RJ-45 interface) and is compatible with compact switchgear such as ABB SafeRing/SafePlus

H/J includes frequency protection and synchronous inspection, J adds directional protection/power quality monitoring for industrial self owned power plants and grid connected scenarios

2. Optional features

Protection extension: arc protection (3-channel optical sensors), power quality monitoring (current/voltage harmonics, voltage fluctuations, only J configuration);

Human computer interface: small LCD (basic display), large LCD (with custom SLD);

Communication module: fiber optic (LC/ST interface, transmission 1-2km), electrical Ethernet (RJ-45), serial port (RS485);

Power Supply and Language: Different voltage levels of power supply, support for multiple languages (English/German/Spanish/Russian, etc.).

Key points of installation and operation and maintenance

1. Installation specifications

Installation method: 35mm DIN rail, 19 inch cabinet (4U), wall mounted/embedded installation, supports 25 ° tilt installation;

Wiring requirements: Separation of strong/weak electrical cables, shielding of communication cables with single end grounding (≤ 4 Ω), and distance from strong interference sources such as frequency converters (spacing ≥ 20cm);

Safety measures: CT secondary side automatic short circuit (when the plug is pulled out), mechanical coding to prevent incorrect insertion (current/voltage plug differentiation).

2. Operations and Debugging

Configuration tools: PCM600 (Basic/Engineering Pro, supports parameter configuration, SLD editing, GOOSE configuration), WebHMI (accessed through IE browser, read-only/read-write permission);

Fault diagnosis: LED indicator light (power/communication/channel status), fault code upload, supports remote reset and parameter download;

Maintenance cycle: Check terminal fastening and indicator lights monthly, clean dust and calibrate measurement accuracy quarterly, and measure insulation resistance (≥ 10M Ω) before long-term shutdown.

Product advantages and value

Full scenario protection: covering fault types such as overcurrent, grounding, voltage, frequency, etc., adapting to different grounding methods and power grid structures;

High reliability: redundant communication, wide temperature design, multiple protections (overvoltage/short circuit/EMC), mean time between failures (MTBF) exceeding 80000 hours;

Flexible integration: Multi protocol support for deep adaptation with ABB systems, providing tools to simplify engineering configuration and reduce integration costs;

Intelligent operation and maintenance: local/remote monitoring, fault self diagnosis, waveform analysis, reducing on-site operation and maintenance workload and shortening fault handling time.