ABB REF615 Feeder Protection and Control

ABB REF615 Feeder Protection and Control

Product overview

Basic positioning: REF615 is a protection, control, measurement, and monitoring equipment designed specifically for feeders (overhead lines, cables, etc.) in public substations and industrial power systems. It supports radial, ring, and mesh distribution networks and can serve as backup protection for primary or redundant protection systems.

Core features: Designed based on the IEC 61850 standard, supporting multiple communication protocols (IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-103, Modbus, DNP3), with compact and pluggable design, providing local HMI (human-machine interface) and web HMI, supporting hot plugging and online configuration.

Function and Configuration

Standard configuration: Provides 9 standard configurations (A-J), covering different combinations of protection functions and adapting to different grounding methods (isolated grounding, resistance grounding, compensation grounding, direct grounding, etc.). The main functions include:

Protection functions: overcurrent protection, ground fault protection (directional/non directional, based on admittance/power/harmonic principles), negative sequence overcurrent protection, phase discontinuity protection, overvoltage/undervoltage protection, frequency protection, circuit breaker failure protection, arc protection, etc.

Control functions: circuit breaker control, isolation switch control, grounding switch control, automatic reclosing, synchronization and energizing inspection, etc.

Monitoring and measurement: disturbance recorder, three-phase current/voltage measurement, sequence current/voltage measurement, power and energy measurement, circuit breaker status monitoring, trip circuit supervision, etc.

Optional functions: arc protection, automatic reclosing Modbus TCP/IP、DNP3、 Ground fault protection based on admittance/power/harmonics, power quality functions (total harmonic distortion of current/voltage, voltage fluctuations), etc.

Hardware and Interface

Physical hardware: composed of plug-in units and shells, including auxiliary power/BO modules, BI/O modules, AI/BI modules, etc., supporting multiple input/output configurations.

Interface specifications:

Analog inputs: phase current, residual current, phase voltage, residual voltage, etc.

Binary input/output: used for external signal access and control instruction output, supporting multiple terminal configurations.

Communication interface: Ethernet (100Base TX/FX), RS-232/RS-485, supporting GOOSE messages for fast communication.

Operation and Authorization

Human computer interaction: The local HMI includes a display screen, buttons, and LED indicator lights, supporting parameter settings, status monitoring, and control operations; Web HMI can be accessed through a browser and functions similarly to a local HMI.

User Authorization: Preset 4 types of user permissions (VIEWER, OPEROTOR, ENGINEER, ADMINIST), with authorization disabled by default but forced to be enabled by Web HMI, supporting password modification and audit trail (recording system and security related events).

Communications and Networking

Protocol support: IEC 61850 (including GOOSE), IEC 60870-5-103, Modbus (RTU/TCP/IP), DNP3 (serial/TCP/IP), supports horizontal communication and multi client connections.

Network topology: Supports self-healing Ethernet ring network, can connect up to 30 615 series IEDs, and requires external switches to support RSTP protocol.

Installation and wiring

Requirements for measuring transformers: The current transformer (CT) should select the appropriate accuracy level (5P, 10P) and accuracy limit coefficient according to the protection type to ensure reliable operation of overcurrent protection; Voltage transformers (VTs) must meet accuracy and insulation requirements.

Physical connection: Detailed terminal wiring methods for current, voltage, binary input/output, auxiliary power supply, etc. are specified, and wiring diagrams for different configurations may vary slightly.

Maintenance and safety

Maintenance reminder: Regularly check the wiring, indicator light status, and communication connection. When replacing components, follow safety regulations and support online replacement of some units.

Safety regulations: comply with the EMC Directive (2004/108/EC) and the Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC), with a protection level of IP20, and must be installed in a closed control cabinet to avoid damage to equipment caused by electrostatic discharge (ESD).