ABB REF615 Standard Configuration C Feeder Protection and Control

Description

The REF615 is a dedicated feeder protection and control relay designed for the protection, control, measurement and supervision of utility substations and industrial power systems. As part of the ABB Relion 615 series, this device provides standard configuration C, which is specifically tailored for applications requiring comprehensive overcurrent and earth-fault protection with additional voltage and frequency measurement capabilities. The REF615 integrates numerical protection functions, local human-machine interface (LHMI) displays, programmable light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and extensive communication capabilities into a single compact unit. It supports native implement of the IEC 61850 standard for communication in substations, as well as Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, DNP3, and Profibus using optional communication modules. The relay handles current and voltage inputs via instrument transformers, executing real-time monitoring and trip logic to ensure the stability and safety of distribution networks.

Features

• Complete overcurrent and directional/non-directional earth-fault protection for distribution feeders.
• Integrated voltage and frequency protection functions for grid stability and load shedding.
• Support for parallel redundancy protocol (PRP) and high-availability seamless redundancy (HSR).
• Native IEC 61850 implementation including horizontal GOOSE messaging for fast inter-relay interlocking.
• Web human-machine interface (WHMI) enabling secure remote access via a standard web browser.
• Built-in trip-circuit supervision (TCS) and continuous self-supervision of hardware and software.
• Flexible graphical configuration using the Protection and Control IED Manager PCM600 tool.

Applications

• Utility distribution substations.
• Industrial power distribution systems.
• Main and feeder protection for medium-voltage networks.
• Backup protection for power transformers and high-voltage transmission lines.
• Load shedding and grid integration of distributed generation.

Technical Specifications

Installation Guidelines

Panel Mounting

The relay must be mounted securely into a cutout panel using the provided mounting brackets and screws. Ensure proper clearance is maintained around the rear enclosure to facilitate adequate natural cooling and air ventilation.

Grounding and Shielding

Connect the dedicated grounding terminal on the rear of the device chassis directly to the substation earth bar using a heavy-gauge copper wire. All communication cables, especially serial links like RS-485 and Ethernet copper lines, must use high-quality shielded twisted-pair (STP) cables with the shields grounded properly to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Cable Routing and Termination

Separate low-voltage signal wires and communication cables from high-voltage primary current transformer (CT) and voltage transformer (VT) secondary wiring. Ensure all binary inputs and signal outputs are terminated correctly according to the connection diagram provided with standard configuration C, verifying correct polarity for all DC auxiliary supply lines.