Relion 615 series

Feeder protection and control

REF615

Compact and versatile solution for utility

and industrial power distribution systems
REF615 is a dedicated feeder IED perfectly aligned
for the protection, control, measurement and supervision
of utility and industrial power distribution systems
including radial, looped and meshed networks, also
involving possible distributed power generation.

Enhanced with optional hardware and software, the IED also

features three light detection channels for arc fault protection
of metal-enclosed, air-insulated switchgear. Fast tripping
increases staff safety and security and limits material damage
in an arc fault situation.

REF615 is a member of ABBs Relion protection and

control product family and its 615 series. The 615
series IEDs are characterized by their compactness
and withdrawable-unit design. Re-engineered from the
ground up, the new 615 series has been designed to
unleash the full potential of the IEC 61850 standard
for communication and interoperability of substation
automation devices.

A standard configuration IED can be adjusted using the

signal matrix functionality (SMT) or the graphical application
configuration functionality (ACT) of the Protection and Control
IED Manager PCM600. The ACT supports creation of multilayer logic by combining function blocks along with timers and
flip-flops. By combining protection and logic functions the IED
can be modified to fit the requirements of the application.

Application
REF615 provides feeder overcurrent and earth-fault
protection for distribution networks, including substation
busbar protection applying the reverse interlocking principle,
or GOOSE messaging over a switched Ethernet station bus.
REF615 fits both isolated neutral networks and networks
with resistance or impedance earthed neutrals. Furthermore,
making use of the IEDs advanced inter-station communication
facilities, REF615 can also be applied for protection of
ring-type and meshed distribution networks as well of radial
networks. The protected networks may also involve multiple
infeed and distributed power generation. As of now, the
REF615 is available in nine predefined standard configurations
to suit the most common feeder protection and control
applications.
Protection and control
REF615 offers directional and non-directional overcurrent
and earth-fault protection and thermal overload protection.
Some standard configurations allow as an option admittancebased, harmonics-based or wattmetric-based earth-fault
protection to be used in addition to directional earth-fault
protection. The admittance-based earth-fault protection
ensures a correct operation of the protection even though
the connection status information of the Petersen coil would
be missing. The admittance protection offers good immunity
to varying fault resistance values, easy setting principles and
improved sensitivity of the protection. Furthermore, REF615
features sensitive earth-fault protection, phase discontinuity
protection, transient/intermittent earth-fault protection, phase
overvoltage, undervoltage and residual overvoltage protection,
positive phase-sequence undervoltage and negativephase sequence overvoltage protection. Overfrequency,
underfrequency and frequency gradient-based protection is
offered in standard configurations H and J.
The IED also incorporates optional auto-reclose functions
for arc fault clearance on overhead line feeders.
2 Feeder protection and control | REF615

REF615 integrates functionality for the control of a circuitbreaker via the front panel HMI or by means of remote
controls. REF615 also features two control blocks which
are intended for motor-operated control of disconnectors
or circuit breaker trucks and for their position indications.
Further, REF615 offers a control block which is intended for
motor-operated control of one earthing switch control and
its position indication. The number of controllable primary
devices depends on the number of available inputs and
outputs in the selected configuration.
Sensor support
The standard configuration G includes one conventional
residual current (I0) input and three sensor inputs for the
connection of three combi-sensors with RJ-45 connectors.
The sensor inputs allow current and voltage sensors to be
used in compact medium voltage (MV) switchgear instead of
conventional measuring transformers. Compact MV switchgear,
such as ABBs SafeRing and SafePlus, are designed for
applications, like compact secondary substations, wind
turbine power plants, small industry installations and large
buildings. As an alternative to combi-sensors, separate
current and voltage sensors with adapters can be used.
Standardized communication
REF615 features genuine support for the IEC 61850 standard
for inter-device communication in substations. It also supports
the DNP3 protocol, the IEC 60870-5-103 protocol, and the
industry standard Modbus protocol.
For a self-healing Ethernet solution the IED offers an optional
fibre-optic communication module providing two optical and
one galvanic Ethernet network interfaces. Alternatively, the
IED features an optional galvanic communication module with
two galvanic and one optical Ethernet network interfaces or
three galvanic interfaces. The third Ethernet interface provides
connectivity of any other Ethernet devices to an IEC 61850
station bus inside of a switchgear bay. The self-healing

Uo

UL1 UL2 UL3

3I>

51P-1

3 I >>

51P-2

3I >>>

50/
51P

68

3I

I2/I1

46PD

I2>

46

3I 2 f >

ARC

50L

3 > F

49F

3I > BF 51BF

1)

1)

Io
ARC

50NL

MCS 3I MCS 3I

Io >

67N-1
(SEF)

Io >BF

Io >> 51N-2

Io

51
NBF

Io >IEF

67N
IEF

2)
Yo >

21YN

Io >

67N-1

Io >>

67N-2

Uo >

59G

U2>

47O -

U 1<

47U +

3U >

59

3U <

27

FUSEF

60

SYNC

25

FUSEF

60

0I

79

Lockout
relay

86

1)

1) Optional
2) Optional admittance, wattmetric or harmonics based E/F in
addition to directional E/F

Protection function overview of the J configuration of REF615.

Ethernet solution constitutes a cost efficient communication

loop controlled by a managed switch. The managed switch
controls the consistency of the loop, routes the data and
corrects the flow of data in communication disturbance
situations. The self-healing Ethernet ring can be built on the
Ethernet based IEC 61850, Modbus and DNP3 protocols.
The implementation of the IEC 61850 standard in REF615
covers both vertical and horizontal communication, including
GOOSE messaging with binary and analog signals and
parameter setting according to IEC 61850-8-1. For timecritical applications REF615 supports synchronization over
Ethernet using SNTP or over a separate bus using IRIG-B.
Preventive condition monitoring
For continuous control of its operational availability REF615
features a comprehensive set of monitoring functions to

supervise the IED itself, the CB trip circuit and the circuit
breaker. Depending on the chosen device configuration, the
IED monitors the wear and tear of the circuit breaker, the
spring charging time of the CB operating mechanism and
the gas pressure of the breaker chambers. The IED also
supervises the breaker travel time and the number of CB
operations to provide basic information for scheduling CB
maintenance.
Single line diagram
The 615 series IEDs with large graphical display offer
customizable single line mimic diagrams (SLD) with position
indication for the switching devices. The IED can also
display measured values provided by the chosen standard
configuration. The SLD is also available via the web-browser
based HMI. The default SLD can be modified according to
user needs using the graphical display editor of PCM600.
REF615 | Feeder protection and control 3

Standard configurations

Standard configurations
Description
Non-directional overcurrent and directional earth-fault protection and CB control
Non-directional overcurrent and directional earth-fault protection, CB condition monitoring, CB control and
with the optional I/O module control of two network objects
Non-directional overcurrent and non-directional earth-fault protection and CB control
Non-directional overcurrent and non-directional earth-fault protection, CB condition monitoring, CB control and
with the optional I/O module control of two network objects
Non-directional overcurrent and directional earth-fault protection with phase-voltage based measurements, CB

Standard
configuration
A
B
C
D
E

condition monitoring and CB control

Directional overcurrent and directional earth-fault protection with phase-voltage based measurements, undervoltage

and overvoltage protection, CB condition monitoring and CB control

Directional overcurrent and directional earth-fault protection, phase-voltage based protection and
measurement functions, CB condition monitoring, CB control and (sensor inputs)
Non-directional overcurrent and non-directional earth-fault protection, phase-voltage and frequency based protection and measurement functions, synchro check, CB condition monitoring and CB control
Directional overcurrent and directional earth-fault protection, phase-voltage and frequency based protection and
measurement functions, synchro check, CB condition monitoring and CB control

Supported functions, codes and symbols

Functionality
Protection
Three-phase non-directional overcurrent protection, low stage
Three-phase non-directional overcurrent protection, high stage
Three-phase non-directional overcurrent protection, instantaneous stage
Three-phase directional overcurrent protection, low stage
Three-phase directional overcurrent protection, high stage
Non-directional earth-fault protection, low stage
Non-directional earth-fault protection, high stage
Non-directional earth-fault protection, instantaneous stage
Directional earth-fault protection, low stage
Directional earth-fault protection, high stage
Admittance based earth-fault protection
Wattmetric based earth-fault protection
Transient / intermittent earth-fault protection
Harmonics based earth-fault protection
Non-directional (cross-country) earth fault protection, using calculated Io
Negative-sequence overcurrent protection
Phase discontinuity protection
Residual overvoltage protection
Three-phase undervoltage protection
Three-phase overvoltage protection
Positive-sequence undervoltage protection
Negative-sequence overvoltage protection
Frequency protection
Three-phase thermal protection for feeders, cables and distribution transformers
Circuit-breaker failure protection
Three-phase inrush detector
Master trip
Arc protection
4 Feeder protection and control | REF615

G
H
J

1, 2,... = number of included instances / I/Os

( ) = optional

IEC 61850

IEC 60617

IEC-ANSI

PHLPTOC

3I>

51P-1

PHHPTOC

3I>>

51P-2

PHIPTOC

50P/51P

DPHLPDOC

3I>>>
3I>

67-1

DPHHPDOC

3I>>

67-2

EFLPTOC

Io>

51N-1

2 2)

2 2)

2 2)

EFHPTOC

Io>>

51N-2

1 2)

1 2)

1 2)

EFIPTOC

Io>>>
Io>

50N/51N

1 2)

1 2)

1 2)

67N-1

1) 2) 7)

Io>>
Yo>

67N-2

1 1) 2) 7)

1 1) 2) 7)

1 1) 2) 4)

21YN

(3)

1) 2) 7)

(3)

1) 2) 7)

32N

(3)

(3)

1) 2) 7)

INTRPTEF

Po>
Io> IEF

1) 2) 7)

7) 2)

HAEFPTOC

Io> HA

51NHA

EFHPTOC

Io>>

51N-2

1 3)

1 3)

1 3)

1 3)

NSPTOC

I2>

46

PDNSPTOC

I2/I1>

46PD

ROVPTOV

Uo>

59G

(3)

PHPTUV

3U<

27

PHPTOV

3U>

59

PSPTUV

U1<

47U+

NSPTOV

U2>

47O-

FRPFRQ

f>/f<, df/dt

81

T1PTTR

3Ith>F

49F

CCBRBRF

3I>/Io>BF

51BF/51NBF

INRPHAR

3I2f>

68

TRPPTRC

Master Trip

94/86

ARCSARC

ARC

50L/50NL

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

(3)

DEFLPDEF
DEFHPDEF
EFPADM
WPWDE

67NIEF

1) 2) 7)

7) 2)

(3)

(1)

7)

1) 2)

(3)

7)

1 1) 2) 4)

1 1) 2) 5)

1 1) 2) 4)

(3)

1) 2) 4)

(3)

1) 2) 4)

(3)

1) 2) 6)

(3) 1) 2) 4)

(3)

1) 2) 4)

(3)

1) 2) 4)

(3)

1) 2) 6)

(3) 1) 2) 4)

1 7) 2)

(1)

(1) 1) 2)

1 3)

1 3)

1) 2)

7) 2)

1) 2) 7)

7) 2)

(1)

4)

1) 2)

(3)

4)

1) 2) 7)

1) 2) 7)

(3)

6)

(3)

1) 2) 7)

1
4)

(3) 4)

REF615 | Feeder protection and control 5

Standard configurations

Supported functions, codes and symbols

Functionality
Control
Circuit-breaker control
Disconnector control
Earthing switch control
Disconnector position indication
Earthing switch indication
Auto-reclosing
Synchronism and energizing check
Condition Monitoring
Circuit-breaker condition monitoring
Trip circuit supervision
Current circuit supervision
Fuse failure supervision
Power Quality
Current total demand distortion
Voltage total harmonic distortion
Voltage variation
Measurement
Disturbance recorder
Three-phase current measurement
Sequence current measurement
Residual current measurement
Three-phase voltage measurement
Residual voltage measurement
Sequence voltage measurement
Three-phase power and energy measurement, including power factor
Frequency measurement
Inputs/Outputs
Analog inputs
CT
VT
Binary inputs/outputs
Binary inputs
Binary outputs

6 Feeder protection and control | REF615

1, 2,... = number of included instances / I/Os

( ) = optional

IEC 61850

IEC 60617

IEC-ANSI

CBXCBR

I O CB
I O DCC
I O ESC

I O CB
I O DCC
I O ESC

I O DC
I O ES

DARREC

I O DC
I O ES
OI

79

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

SECRSYN

SYNC

25

SSCBR

CBCM

CBCM

TCSSCBR

TCS

TCM

CCRDIF

MCS 3I

MCS 3I

SEQRFUF

FUSEF

60

CMHAI

PQM3I

PQM3I

(1) 8)

VMHAI

PQM3U

PQM3V

(1) 8)

PHQVVR

PQMU

PQMV

(1) 8)

RDRE

CMMXU

3I

3I

CSMSQI

I1, I2, I0

I1, I2, I0

RESCMMXU

Io

In

VMMXU

3U

3U

RESVMMXU

Uo

Vn

VSMSQI

U1, U2, U0

U1, U2, U0

PEMMXU

P, E

P, E

FMMXU

3 + 1 11)

11 (17) 9)

12 (18) 9)

16

16

16

16

10 (13)

10 (13) 9)

10

10

10

10

10

DCXSWI
ESXSWI
DCSXSWI
ESSXSWI

9)

10)

10)

11)

1)

One of the three following can be ordered as an option; Admittance based E/F, Wattmetric based E/F or Harmonics based E/F.
The option is an addition to the existing E/F of the original configuration.
The optional Admittance based E/F and Wattmetric based E/F have also a predefined configuration in the IED, which can be set on or off.
2)
Io measured is always used
3)
Io selectable by parameter, Io calculated as default
4)
Uo selectable by parameter, Uo measured as default
5)
Uo calculated and negative sequence voltage selectable by parameter, Uo calculated as default
6)
Uo calculated is always used
7)
Uo measured is always used
8)
This option includes Current total demand distrortion, Voltage total harmonic distortion and Voltage variation
9)
With optional ( ) binary I/O module
10)
One of the the five inputs is reserved for future application
11)
Support for three Combi Sensors and one conventional Io input or three current sensors, three voltage sensors and one conventional Io input.
Note that all directional protection functions can also be used in non-directional mode.
The instances of a protection function represent the number of identical function blocks available in a standard configuration.
By setting the application specific parameters of an instance, a protection function stage can be established.

REF615 | Feeder protection and control 7

ABB Oy, Distribution Automation

P.O. Box 699
FI-65101 VAASA, Finland
Phone: +358 10 22 11
Fax:
+358 10 22 41094
ABB Limited, Distribution Automation
Maneja, Vadodara 390013, India
Phone: +91265 260 4386
Fax:
+91265 263 8922
www.abb.com/substationautomation

1MRS756381 G, 4.0

For more information see REF615 Product Guide

or contact us:

Copyright 2012 ABB. All rights reserved.

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