Description
ABB REF615K – Feeder Protection and Control Relay for MV Distribution
The ABB REF615K belongs to the Relion 615 series and is purpose-built for medium-voltage feeder protection. From my experience, it’s the go-to choice when you need dependable overcurrent and earth-fault protection, straightforward breaker control, and modern IEC 61850 communications in a compact, panel-mounted form. One thing I appreciate is how quickly it drops into existing switchgear with minimal wiring changes, yet still gives you room to scale with features like GOOSE messaging and autoreclose.
Company’s Order Placement Process and Guarantees
- Warranty period: 365 days
- Delivery time: 1 week for in-stock; no more than one month at the latest
- Payment method: 50% advance payment, full payment for delivery
- Express delivery methods: FedEx, UPS, DHL
Key Features
- Feeder-focused protection – Typically includes non‑directional/directional overcurrent (50/51, 67) and earth‑fault protection (50N/51N, 67N) to safeguard MV distribution feeders.
- Breaker control and supervision – Integrated CB open/close command, trip/close coil monitoring, and wear/thermal supervision make operation transparent for the operator.
- Autoreclose and cold load pickup – Helps restore service faster after transient faults; in many cases it reduces SAIDI/SAIFI without extra logic hardware.
- Arc‑flash interface – Works with external arc sensors for high‑speed tripping in switchgear compartments (commonly used in metal‑clad MV panels).
- IEC 61850 with GOOSE – Peer‑to‑peer signaling for interlocking and fast schemes; optional legacy protocols (Modbus, DNP3, IEC 60870‑5‑103) for brownfield upgrades.
- HMI for local operations – Clear front-panel HMI with configurable LEDs and pushbuttons; engineers typically find it quick for testing and commissioning.
- Flexible CT/VT inputs – 1 A/5 A CT support and nominal VT inputs allow consistent settings across different feeder bays.
- Withdrawable design with pluggable terminals – Facilitates safer maintenance; you can remove the unit while the terminal base stays wired.
Technical Specifications
Values below reflect the REF615 family characteristics; exact details can vary slightly by the K order code. If you need a configuration check, I can verify against your single‑line and CT/VT data.
| Brand / Model | ABB REF615K (Relion 615 series) |
| HS Code | 8536.49 (Protective relays, other) |
| Power Requirements | Auxiliary supply variants: 24–60 V DC or 110–240 V AC/DC (order-code dependent) |
| Operating Temperature | Typically −40 to +55 °C (operation) |
| Dimensions & Weight | Approx. 6U panel case; depth typically ~200–230 mm; weight ~3.5–4.5 kg (varies with options) |
| Signal I/O Types | CT inputs (1 A / 5 A), VT inputs (nominal 100 V), multiple binary inputs/outputs with trip/close relays (count depends on order code) |
| Communication Interfaces | Ethernet 100Base‑TX (RJ‑45) and/or 100Base‑FX; protocols: IEC 61850 (GOOSE), Modbus, DNP3, IEC 60870‑5‑103 (licensing per order) |
| Installation Method | Panel/flush mounting in MV switchgear; withdrawable plug‑in unit with pluggable terminals; 19″ adapters available |
Where it’s typically used
- Feeder bays in metal‑clad MV switchgear (utility substations and industrial plants)
- Ring main units and compact substations needing IEC 61850 integration
- Retrofit programs replacing legacy electromechanical or early numerical relays
You might notice that commissioning time tends to drop when using the REF615K with PCM600—especially if you reuse setting templates. One customer in a cement plant told us their bay checkout time went from a full day to under four hours once they standardized on 615s with GOOSE-based interlocking.
Related or Supporting Products
- ABB REF615 – Base feeder protection; REF615K appears to be a defined order variant with a typical feeder protection package.
- ABB REF620 – More advanced logic and I/O capacity for complex schemes; suitable if you need additional measurements or bay control.
- ABB REF630 – High configurability for multi‑feeder and substation automation roles.
- ABB REM615 – Motor protection; a better fit for large MV motors rather than feeders.
- ABB RTXP 18/24 Test Switch – Commonly paired for safe secondary injection and circuit isolation during maintenance.
Installation & Maintenance
- Panel and wiring – Install in a clean, ventilated LV compartment of the switchgear. Maintain clearances for heat dissipation at the top and sides. Use shielded twisted pairs for binary signals in noisy environments.
- CT/VT practices – Verify CT ratios and polarity on all phases and residual. For directional earth‑fault, ensure VT connections (e.g., open‑delta or phase‑phase) match the selected algorithm.
- Grounding – Bond the relay case and communication cable shields at a single point to avoid ground loops; this seems to reduce nuisance comms alarms in many cases.
- Settings & firmware – Develop settings in PCM600 with a baseline template per feeder type. Keep firmware and setting reports under change control; review release notes before upgrading.
- Routine checks – Annual secondary injection of 50/51/50N/51N and autoreclose logic. Clean the HMI and terminal areas; verify trip circuit supervision and time stamping.
- Safety – Prove-dead on CT/VT circuits, use RTXP test switches where available, and follow live‑work policies. Withdraw the unit only after isolating trip circuits to prevent accidental operations.
Quality & Certifications
- CE marked; typically UL/cUL recognized for North America
- RoHS compliant; manufactured in ISO 9001 certified facilities
- Manufacturer’s standard warranty is typically 12 months; our supply includes a 365‑day warranty from shipment
If you can share your CT/VT data, auxiliary voltage, and required protocols, I can confirm the exact REF615K order code and I/O map so it drops into your panel with no surprises.
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