ABB REF601 and REJ601 relays

ABB REF601 and REJ601 relays

Product positioning and overview

Product positioning 

REF601: Dedicated feeder protection and control relay, integrating protection, monitoring, and circuit breaker control functions, suitable for incoming and outgoing feeder lines in medium voltage distribution networks.

REJ601: Overcurrent protection relay, without circuit breaker control function, focusing on overcurrent and ground fault protection.

Series affiliation: Belongs to ABB Relion ®  The 605 series is designed based on professional knowledge in the field of digital technology and protection, and supports pre configuration to simplify debugging.

Core advantages

Compact design, suitable for the renovation of switchgear with limited space, using crimping installation without the need for additional accessories.

Provide three application configurations (B/C/D) to meet different protection requirements and support ANSI/IEC standards.

Core Function Analysis

1. Protection function (REF601/REJ601 universal)

Overcurrent protection:

Three stage non directional overcurrent: low setting stage (51P/3I>), high setting stage (50P-1/3I>>), instantaneous stage (50P-2/3I>>), supports IDMT (inverse time limit) and DT (definite time limit) characteristics, compatible with IEC 60255-3 and ANSI C37.112 standard curves (such as Normal Inverse, Very Inverse).

Two stage grounding fault protection: low setting stage (51N/Io>), high setting stage (50N/Io>>), which can calculate the grounding current through external zero sequence CT or internal phase current.

Auxiliary protection:

Transformer surge detection (68/3I2f>) to prevent accidental tripping when the transformer is closed.

Thermal overload protection (49/3Ith>), suitable for feeders, cables, and transformers, supports thermal aging simulation.

Phase to phase open circuit protection (46PD/I2/I1>), negative sequence overcurrent protection (46/I2>), identify asymmetric faults.

Circuit breaker fault protection (50BF/50NBF), activate backup protection when detecting circuit breaker refusal to move.

2. Control function (REF601 only)

Circuit breaker control: Switching is achieved through local HMI buttons or communication interfaces (MODBUS/103 protocol), equipped with two dedicated output contacts.

Automatic reclosing: Supports 4 reclosing cycles, configurable dead time, pulse time, and lockout logic, suitable for overhead line fault recovery.

3. Monitoring and recording

Real time measurement: Continuously monitor three-phase current, grounding current, optional negative sequence current, thermal level, and operation counting.

Event log: Stores 100 events with a 1ms timestamp (such as protection actions, trip circuit status), supports local/remote queries.

Fault recording: Record the analog data (three-phase current+ground current) of the last 5 tripping events for fault analysis.

4. Self supervision and safety

Self diagnosis: Real time monitoring of hardware (such as CPU, memory) and software status, blocking protection functions and alerting in case of faults.

Trip Circuit Monitoring (TCM): detects open circuit and loss of control voltage in the trip circuit, and supports monitoring of the opening and closing status of the circuit breaker.

Access control: three-level user permissions (operator/engineer/administrator), supporting alphanumeric password or key combination authentication.

Application scenarios and configurations

Typical applications

Medium voltage distribution station: short circuit, overcurrent, and grounding fault protection for incoming and outgoing feeder lines.

Distribution transformer: utilizing surge detection function as the main protection.

Overhead lines and cables: improve power supply reliability through automatic reclosing (REF601).

Configuration differences

Configuration B: Basic function, providing non directional overcurrent+ground fault protection, with ground current calculated from phase current.

Configuration C: Add thermal overload, phase to phase circuit breaker, and circuit breaker fault protection on the basis of B.

Configuration D (REF601 only): Add negative sequence protection and quadruple automatic reclosing on the basis of C, suitable for overhead line feeders.

Technical Parameter

1. Electrical parameters

Power supply: AC/DC 24-240V, fluctuation range AC 85-110%/DC 70-120%, static power consumption<5VA.

Current input:

Rated current: 1A or 5A (optional), continuous withstand current 4A/20A, 1-second withstand current 100A/500A.

Input impedance:<100m Ω (1A)/<20m Ω (5A).

2. Machinery and Environment

Dimensions: 130mm (width) x 160mm (height) x 151.5mm (depth), weight 1.43kg.

Environmental adaptation:

Working temperature: -25 ℃~+55 ℃, short-term storage -40 ℃~+85 ℃.

Humidity:<93% without condensation, altitude ≤ 2000 meters.

3. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

Anti interference: Tested through electrostatic discharge (6kV contact/8kV air), radiated electromagnetic field (10V/m, 80MHz-2.7GHz), fast transient (4kV), etc.

Emission limit: Complies with EN 55011 standard, with conducted radiation<66dB (μ V/m) and radiated radiation<47dB (μ V/m).

4. Insulation and Protection

Dielectric strength: 2kV/1min, impulse voltage 5kV (1.2/50 μ s), insulation resistance>100M Ω.

Protection level: front panel IP54, back terminal IP20.

Interface and Communication

Input/output

Analog input: 4-channel current input (3-phase+grounded), supporting 1A/5A CT.

Binary input: 4 channels, configurable for circuit breaker position, trip command, etc.

Output contacts: 6 channels (2 power outputs+4 signal outputs), with a maximum switching capacity of 240V/8A.

communication interface

Optional MODBUS RTU or IEC 60870-5-103 protocol, RS485 two-wire connection, supports remote monitoring and parameter configuration.

Ordering and Accessories

Order coding rules

Example: REF601 A E4 46 B D 1 B H, including relay type, standard (ANSI/IEC), current input specifications, communication protocol, application configuration, and other information.

Accessory

Communication card: CIM601BNNNNBANXG, used to add MODBUS or 103 protocol interfaces.

Summarize

ABB REF601/REJ601 relays provide a solution for medium voltage distribution systems that integrates protection, control, and monitoring through modular design and flexible configuration. Its core advantages lie in:

Comprehensive protection: covering multiple protection functions such as overcurrent, ground fault, thermal overload, etc., supporting custom characteristic curves.

Strong adaptability: Three application configurations are suitable for different scenarios, and the compact design meets space constraints.

High reliability: Self supervision and trip circuit monitoring enhance system safety, while EMC and environmental testing ensure industrial grade durability.

Ease of operation: Local HMI and hierarchical permission management simplify on-site debugging, and communication interface supports remote operation and maintenance.

Suitable for urban distribution networks, industrial power systems, and other scenarios, especially for situations that require efficient fault protection and power supply reliability.