ABB REF615D – Feeder Protection and Control Relay for MV Distribution

The ABB REF615D is part of the Relion 615 series, designed specifically for medium‑voltage feeder protection and control. From my experience, it’s a solid fit for ring-main units, industrial feeders, and compact switchgear where you want dependable protection, quick commissioning, and native IEC 61850 integration. You might notice that the D-version brings a mature feature set—directional/non-directional overcurrent and earth fault, breaker control, and flexible communications—without getting overly complicated for day-to-day operations.

Typical use cases include radial or loop feeders, transformer feeders, and cable protection in utilities and industrial plants. One thing I appreciate is the clear HMI and ready-made default configurations; in many cases, you can get to a stable baseline fast and then fine-tune logic and communications as you go.

Company’s Order Placement Process and Guarantees

• Warranty: 365 days
• Delivery time: 1 week for in-stock items; no more than one month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment; full payment prior to delivery
• Express delivery: FedEx, UPS, DHL

Key Features

• Comprehensive feeder protection: 50/51 phase, 50N/51N earth fault, directional earth fault (67N), voltage/frequency functions (where applicable) for stable fault clearance.
• Breaker control and supervision: Integrated CB control, trip/close circuits, and 50BF (breaker failure) to improve system selectivity.
• Autoreclosing and cold-load pickup: Helps restore service quickly on transient faults while reducing nuisance trips.
• Accurate measurements: Real-time current, voltage (on VT variants), power and energy counters for operational insight and reporting.
• Programmable logic: IEC 61131-style logic blocks enable custom interlocks and scheme logic without external relays.
• Native IEC 61850: GOOSE messaging for fast peer-to-peer signal exchange; also supports common legacy protocols to fit mixed fleets.
• Cybersecurity and event records: Time-stamped disturbance records and user access control for audit and analysis.
• User-friendly HMI: Clear LCD, programmable LEDs, and front USB/port for settings and test—typically makes routine work faster.
• Draw-out case design: Facilitates testing and replacement with minimal downtime during maintenance.

Technical Specifications

Note: Exact I/O counts, power module and comms options depend on the specific order code of REF615D. If you share your code string, we can match the details precisely.

Related or Supporting Products

• ABB REF620 – Feeder protection with extended functionality and larger I/O for more complex schemes.
• ABB RET615 – Transformer protection companion for MV/LV transformers in the same Relion platform.
• ABB REM615 – Motor protection relay when feeders supply large MV motors.
• SEL-751 – Widely used feeder relay alternative; strong in distribution automation retrofits.
• Siemens SIPROTEC 5 7SJ85 – High-performance feeder relay with advanced 61850 features.
• Schneider MiCOM P123 – Compact feeder/overcurrent relay for cost-sensitive applications.
• Supporting components: Protection-class CTs/VTs (5P/10P, PX), 61850-capable Ethernet switches, test plugs, and draw-out terminal blocks.

A utility client recently swapped older electromechanical relays for REF615D across RMUs; they liked how fast GOOSE interlocking came together, and fault location reporting cut patrol time quite a bit.

Installation & Maintenance

• Panel and wiring: Use a rigid switchgear door panel; ensure proper cut-out and gasket. Maintain clear bend radius for Ethernet/serial leads. Keep CT/VT wiring short and twisted; observe polarity (P1/P2, S1/S2) and shield grounding.
• Auxiliary supply and trip circuits: Size DC supplies for inrush and trip coil load. Provide dedicated MCB/fuse and surge protection. Separate power and signal wiring to minimize noise.
• Earthing: Bond the relay chassis to protective earth; connect CT secondary star-point per protection scheme to avoid nuisance residuals.
• Ventilation & environment: Install in a clean, dry cabinet; typical ambient -40…+55 °C. Avoid strong magnetic fields and high vibration; provide space for draw-out service.
• Commissioning: Secondary injection to verify pickups/time curves; test GOOSE subscriptions and blocking; confirm time sync and event timestamps.
• Routine maintenance: Annual functional test and disturbance record review; back up settings; clean front panel; update firmware when approved by your site policy (usually after a lab test).
• Safety: Work by qualified personnel only. De-energize circuits before any wiring changes; use a test block for CT shorting during maintenance.

Quality & Certifications

• Compliance: IEC 60255 protection standards; IEC 61850 interoperability (typical for REF615 series)
• Certifications: CE marking; UL/cUL listing and RoHS conformity are commonly available for the 615 family
• Manufacturer’s warranty: Typically 12 months; our supply coverage is 365 days as stated above
• Documentation: Test reports, factory routine tests, and conformity statements provided with the unit or on request

If you can share your exact order code (power supply, CT/VT configuration, comms module), we’ll validate I/O counts and protocol options, and match delivery from stock. In many cases, REF615D drops into existing panels with minimal wiring changes.