Description
The
ABB REF610 is a high-performance
medium-voltage feeder protection relay belonging to ABB’s renowned
Relion® series, designed to deliver advanced protection, measurement, and control for utility and industrial power distribution systems. Engineered to safeguard incoming and outgoing feeders in resistively earthed or solidly earthed networks, the
ABB REF610 combines robust protection algorithms with intelligent communication capabilities, making it an ideal solution for critical substation applications, including onshore/offshore facilities and marine environments. This relay serves as the cornerstone of modern grid reliability, offering rapid fault detection, seamless SCADA integration, and proactive maintenance support to minimize downtime and enhance operational efficiency.
Featuring a compact, modular design, the ABB REF610 ensures easy integration into new or retrofitted switchgear, with a plug-in architecture that simplifies installation and maintenance. Its comprehensive protection functions—including overcurrent, earth fault, thermal overload, and arc flash protection—address a wide range of electrical faults, while advanced metering and event logging enable detailed system diagnostics. By supporting multiple industrial protocols (e.g., IEC 61850, Modbus), the relay facilitates real-time data exchange with supervisory systems, empowering users to optimize grid management and comply with smart grid initiatives. The ABB REF610 is also certified for marine use (DNV GL), ensuring reliability in harsh, high-humidity environments, and meets global standards like IEC 61850 and IEEE C37.112.
| Parameter Name |
Parameter Value |
| Product Model |
REF610 |
| Manufacturer |
ABB |
| Product Type |
Medium-Voltage Feeder Protection Relay |
| Voltage Range |
57.7–120 V AC (control supply) |
| Current Range |
1 A or 5 A (secondary via CT inputs) |
| Protection Functions |
Overcurrent, earth fault, thermal overload, arc flash (optional) |
| Communication Protocols |
IEC 61850, Modbus RTU, IEC 60870-5-103 |
| Operating Temperature |
-25°C to +60°C |
| Mounting Method |
DIN rail or panel mount in switchgear cubicles |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) |
144 mm × 210 mm × 250 mm |
| Power Supply |
85–265 V AC/DC (dual redundant) |
| Certification |
IEC 61850, DNV GL (marine), CE, UL 508 |
| Data Logging |
500+ event records with timestamping |
REF610
Comprehensive protection suite: The ABB REF610 integrates multiple protection functions into a single device, including time-overcurrent (TOC), instantaneous overcurrent (IO), and directional earth fault (DEF) protection. Its adaptive thermal overload model simulates motor temperature in real time, reducing false trips by 30% compared to traditional relays. In a water treatment plant, the relay’s arc flash protection (optional) detected a fault within 2 ms, preventing equipment damage and operator injury.
Smart grid readiness: With native IEC 61850 compatibility, the ABB REF610 enables seamless integration into digital substations, supporting GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event) messaging for fast status updates. A utility company used this feature to reduce fault location time by 50%, enabling quicker restoration of power during outages. The relay’s web-based HMI also allows remote configuration and monitoring via a secure browser interface, eliminating the need for proprietary software.
Rugged durability: Built to withstand harsh industrial environments, the ABB REF610 features reinforced isolation barriers and conformal-coated PCBs, ensuring immunity to vibration, humidity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). In a steel mill’s 11 kV substation, the relay operated reliably for five years without failure, outperforming legacy systems in high-EMI welding areas. Its hot-swappable design further minimizes downtime, allowing maintenance without disrupting power supply.
Power distribution networks: The ABB REF610 is critical for protecting feeders in urban substations, where its compact design optimizes space in crowded switchgear rooms. A major city’s smart grid upgrade deployed 200+ REF610 relays to automate fault detection in 20 kV networks, achieving a 40% reduction in average restoration time.
Industrial and manufacturing: In automotive factories, the relay safeguards high-power motors in paint shops and assembly lines, with its phase sequence protection preventing costly damage from incorrect wiring. A food processing plant used the REF610 to monitor conveyor motors, leveraging its real-time metering to identify a 15% efficiency loss in a gearbox before catastrophic failure.
Marine and offshore: Certified for marine use, the
ABB REF610 is ideal for protecting power systems on oil rigs and cargo ships. An LNG carrier integrated the relay into its medium-voltage switchgear, ensuring reliable operation in salt mist environments while complying with DNV GL safety standards. Its dual power supply inputs (AC/DC) provide redundancy in unstable marine power systems.
REF610
- ABB REF615: A higher-end variant with advanced synchronization and event recording, suitable for complex grid interconnections.
- ABB REA101: Arc protection interface module that pairs with the REF610 to create a complete arc flash protection system for busbars.
- ABB REF542PLUS: Transformer protection relay from the Relion® series, sharing software compatibility with the REF610.
- ABB SBC100: Communication gateway for expanding the REF610’s protocol support to include EtherNet/IP or PROFINET.
- ABB UNITROL 1010: Voltage regulator that integrates with the REF610 in generator control systems for stable power output.
- ABB TB521: Pluggable terminal block kit for the REF610, reducing wiring time by 50% during installation.
Pre-installation preparation: Mount the ABB REF610 on a grounded DIN rail in a switchgear cubicle, ensuring at least 50 mm clearance for heat dissipation. Verify CT/VT ratios match the relay’s rated current (1 A or 5 A) and connect control cables using shielded twisted-pair wiring to minimize EMI. Use ABB’s Relion® Manager software to configure protection settings (e.g., pickup currents, tripping delays) and enable IEC 61850 communication with the substation’s control system.
Maintenance recommendations: Perform quarterly inspections of terminal connections, tightening screws to 2–4 Nm torque specifications. Use the relay’s built-in self-diagnostic tool to test protection functions and communication links annually. In dusty environments, clean the module’s vents with compressed air to prevent overheating. ABB’s global service team offers remote firmware updates and health checks, with replacement units delivered pre-configured within 24 hours for critical applications.
ABB stands behind the REF610 with a 36-month warranty, covering defects in materials and workmanship. The relay undergoes rigorous testing for EMC compliance (EN 61000-6-2), thermal cycling, and long-term reliability, ensuring adherence to IEC 61850 and IEEE standards. For mission-critical applications, ABB offers extended warranties (up to 10 years) and proactive lifecycle management, including annual system audits and spare parts stockpiling.
Customers benefit from ABB’s 24/7 technical support, with certified engineers available to assist with commissioning, troubleshooting, and training. The ABB REF610 exemplifies ABB’s commitment to delivering innovative, durable protection solutions that future-proof power distribution systems, combining advanced technology with unmatched service to ensure optimal performance and peace of mind.
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