Description
The ABB REF615 (Order Code: REF615C_E / HCFFAEAGABC2BAA11E) is a dedicated Feeder Protection and Control Relay belonging to ABB’s Relion® 615 Series product family. Designed for utility substations and industrial power systems, the REF615 provides main protection, control, measurement, and supervision for overhead lines and cable feeders in solid, resistance-earthed, or resonant-earthed distribution networks. Its withdrawable plug-in design allows rapid installation and testing without disturbing rear terminal wiring.
Key Specifications & Identification
| Attribute | Details |
| Manufacturer | ABB |
| Product Family | Relion® 615 Series (IEC / ANSI Variants) |
| Model Code | REF615 (Standard Configuration C) |
| Full Order Code | HCFFAEAGABC2BAA11E |
| Device Type | Dedicated Feeder Protection, Control & Measurement IED |
| Form Factor | Flush/Panel-mount withdrawable plug-in unit (1/2 \times 19″ 4U rack case) |
| HMI Display | Large graphic LCD displaying dynamic single-line MIMIC diagrams, alarm LEDs, and control pushbuttons |
| Protection ANSI Codes | 50/51, 50N/51N, 67/67N, 27/59, 81O/81U, 25 (Synchrocheck), 79 (Auto-reclose), 46, 49F, 50BF |
| Communication Protocols | Native IEC 61850 (GOOSE & MMS), Modbus RTU/TCP, DNP3, IEC 60870-5-103 |
Primary System Functions
- Directional & Non-Directional Protection: Integrates multi-stage overcurrent and earth-fault elements (both directional 67/67N and non-directional 50/51/50N/51N), sensitive earth-fault (SEF) detection, thermal overload protection, and circuit breaker failure (50BF) protection.
- Substation Bay Control: Features local/remote breaker control keys and a dynamic LCD MIMIC display for controlling motorized circuit breakers, disconnectors, and earthing switches with integrated interlocking safety logic.
- IEC 61850 Substation Bus Integration: Supports high-speed horizontal communication via IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging for fast trip schemes, interlocking, and busbar blocking without hardwired copper interconnections.
- Power Quality & Fault Recording: Continuously captures sequence-of-events (SOE), fault records, and disturbance waveforms (COMTRADE format) alongside power quality metrics (voltage sags/swells and total harmonic distortion).
Servicing & Installation Guidelines
- Automatic CT Shorting on Extraction: The 615 series features built-in short-circuiting mechanisms on current transformer (CT) input terminals. However, always manually engage CT shorting blocks prior to extracting the active plug-in unit as an added safety precaution.
- Auxiliary Power Range Verification: Confirm the auxiliary supply voltage rating (typically 48–250 V DC / 100–240 V AC for high-voltage power supply variants) matches station battery levels before applying control power.
- PCM600 Project Backup: Upload and archive relay parameter files (
.pcmp/.cid) using ABB PCM600 (Protection and Control IED Manager) software before updating firmware or replacing the relay insert. - ESD & Case Handling: Avoid touching exposed circuit board trace connectors on the rear of the withdrawable unit. Always wear a grounded anti-static wrist strap during maintenance.
