ABB Feeder Protection Type REF615

Overview

The ABB REF615 feeder protection relay is a dedicated device from ABB’s Relion product family, designed to protect distribution and industrial power system feeders with comprehensive overcurrent, earth-fault, and optional arc protection functions.

As a fully numerical IED, the REF615 supports both IEC 61850 Edition 1 and Edition 2 communication, making it a flexible and future-proof solution for new and retrofit substation automation projects.

Engineering & Design

The REF615 is based on a modular plug-in unit design with a galvanically isolated communication interface, providing rapid installation and replacement without withdrawing the whole unit. Its withdrawable case design and comprehensive self-supervision simplify maintenance in demanding service conditions.

The relay supports a broad range of protection functions including non-directional and directional overcurrent protection, non-directional and directional earth-fault protection, and an optional arc protection module, all configured through ABB’s intuitive relay configuration tool.

Key Features

• Non-directional and directional phase overcurrent protection (50/51 and 67)
• Non-directional and directional earth-fault protection (50N/51N and 67N)
• Optional arc protection for switchgear applications
• IEC 61850 Edition 1 and Edition 2 communication support
• Galvanically isolated communication and I/O interfaces
• Withdrawable plug-in unit design for rapid maintenance
• Comprehensive self-supervision and disturbance recording
• Multiple setting groups for flexible protection schemes
• Compact panel design with user-friendly LCD interface
• Complete protection, control, measurement, and supervision in one device

Applications

• Distribution feeder protection in utility networks
• Industrial plant power system feeders
• Substation automation and retrofit projects
• Switchgear arc flash protection schemes

Specifications

Compatibility & Integration

The REF615 integrates into new or existing substations via IEC 61850 station buses, with full interoperability in ABB and third-party automation schemes, and supports both conventional CT/VT inputs and the flexibility required for retrofit applications.

Protection Engineering Support

Our protection specialists assist with relay setting calculations for overcurrent and earth-fault coordination, IEC 61850 communication configuration, and integration with SCADA systems.

Commissioning support is available for new and retrofit feeder protection schemes, ensuring the REF615 operates correctly within your protection coordination study.

Operational Benefits

The REF615 improves protection performance with fast, reliable overcurrent and earth-fault detection, reducing the impact of faults on distribution feeders and industrial supplies.

IEC 61850 communication simplifies integration into modern substations and allows quick retrieval of disturbance records for fault analysis.

Its compact withdrawable design shortens maintenance and replacement time, reducing mean time to repair.

Coordinated overcurrent and earth-fault settings across feeders reduce unnecessary tripping and improve supply continuity for industrial loads.

For distribution feeders where the ABB REF615 must trip correctly, Seven Star LLC supplies the ABB REF615 with setting support, and our protection engineers configure every ABB REF615 for your network coordination.

The REF615 feeder protection relay provides the overcurrent and the earth fault protection of the distribution feeder, and the relay supports the communication and the control functions of the substation.

The protection relay is configured with the PCM600 tool, and the bay control and the indication functions are integrated in the substation automation.

The ABB REF615 feeder protection relay is the numerical protection relay for the distribution feeders, and the ABB REF615 feeder protection relay provides the overcurrent and the earth fault protection with the communication interface.

The ABB REF615 feeder protection relay is used for the pump and the motor feeders, and the REF615 relay is configured with the PCM600 tool.

Why Seven Star LLC

Seven Star LLC supplies genuine ABB protection relays from our regional facility in Muscat, Oman, with configuration support for industrial and utility projects across the GCC.

Our engineers assist with relay setting calculations, communication configuration, and commissioning support to ensure reliable feeder protection performance.

Selecting the Right REF615 Variant

The REF615 is ordered with an order code that defines the standard configuration, analogue inputs, binary I/O, communication options and auxiliary supply. When replacing an installed relay or ordering for a new panel, confirm:

• The full order code from the existing relay’s rating plate or the protection drawings
• CT secondary rating (1 A or 5 A) and whether residual current or voltage inputs are required
• Auxiliary supply voltage available in the panel
• Communication protocol and physical interface required by the substation automation system
• Whether arc protection sensors are part of the switchgear design

Relay Commissioning and Testing

Before energising the feeder, load the settings from the approved protection study, then carry out secondary injection tests of each protection stage to confirm pickup values and operating times. Check CT polarity and ratios, verify the trip and close circuits to the breaker, and test binary inputs and outputs against the scheme drawings. Where IEC 61850 GOOSE messages are used for interlocking or blocking, test them end to end with the other IEDs involved. Keep a copy of the as-left settings and the disturbance recorder configuration for future reference.

Maintenance and Fault Analysis

Self-supervision reports internal relay faults, so routine maintenance focuses on periodic secondary injection testing, trip circuit checks and review of the event log. After a feeder trip, the disturbance records show fault currents, duration and the operating stage, helping engineers confirm correct operation and identify the fault type before the feeder is restored.

Applications in Oman and the GCC

In the region the ABB REF615 feeder protection relay is widely used in medium-voltage distribution substations, industrial plant switchgear and oil and gas facilities, where IEC 61850 based substation automation is increasingly the standard. Seven Star LLC supplies REF615 relays and related Relion devices for new panels and replacement projects.

Request a Quote for ABB FEEDER PROTOCTION TYPE REF615

For the ABB REF615, feeder protection relay or any related control and instrumentation requirement, contact the Seven Star LLC team. Submit a formal inquiry through our RFQ page with your configuration and application details, and our specialists will respond with a detailed commercial proposal and the official ABB documentation.

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