ABB REF611 Feeder Protection Relay

Configured for the protection, control, measurement, and supervision of utility substations and industrial power systems, the ABB REF611, also cataloged as the REF611 Feeder Protection Relay, operates as a dedicated hardware component for directional or non-directional overcurrent and earth-fault protection across utility distribution networks.

Hardware Specifications

Industrial Control & Drives Characteristics

• Backplane bus communication velocity Licences: Not applicable; supports advanced Ethernet-based communication including self-healing HSR/PRP using an optional second Ethernet bus.
• Profinet / EtherNet/IP deterministic networks: Fully supports IEC 61850 Editions 1 and 2, including binary GOOSE messaging for substation automation.
• I/O density scaling: Features a powerful, user-friendly web-browser-based human-machine interface (HMI) including an input/output (I/O) matrix with visual selections.
• Firmware flash compatibility: Delivered pre-configured and factory-tested with application-specific standard configurations to minimize setup time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What network configurations are suitable for directional versus non-directional earth-fault protection?

A: Directional earth-fault protection is mainly used in isolated neutral or compensated networks, whereas non-directional earth-fault protection is intended for directly or low-impedance earthed neutral networks.

Q: What design features facilitate swift installation and maintenance of the relay?

A: The relay utilizes a withdrawable plug-in unit design along with a compact form factor that makes it suitable for both new and retrofit installations.

Field Installation Guidelines

Ensure that the panel cut-out and wiring harnesses match the compact withdrawable plug-in unit dimensions prior to insertion. Verify all fiber optic or Ethernet connections when utilizing optional HSR/PRP redundant communication rings. Check current transformer and voltage transformer secondary circuits for correct phase orientation and secure terminal torques before energizing the protection relay.