ABB REC650 1MRK008514-AB — Integrated Protection & Control Relay for Medium-Voltage Substation

One thing I appreciate is how the REC650 bridges the gap between legacy substation automation and modern IEC 61850 workflows—without forcing a full system overhaul. It’s not just another relay; it’s a field-proven node that handles protection, control, monitoring, and even basic automation logic in one compact unit. From my experience supporting utilities and EPC contractors across Europe and Southeast Asia, this model (1MRK008514-AB) tends to land in retrofit projects where space is tight, interoperability with existing ABB REF/REL relays matters, and downtime during commissioning needs to stay under 48 hours.

Key Features

• Multi-function protection: Covers overcurrent (ANSI 50/51), earth fault (50N/51N), thermal overload (49), and breaker failure (50BF)—all configurable via PCM600 without needing separate auxiliary relays.
• Native IEC 61850 support: Supports GOOSE publishing/subscribing and MMS-based SCADA communication out of the box; no gateway required for integration with ABB’s System 800xA or Siemens Desigo CC (we’ve seen it work reliably in mixed-brand substations).
• Local HMI with touch interface: The built-in 4.3″ color display isn’t just for status—it lets technicians perform trip testing, view sequence-of-events (SOE) logs, and adjust settings on-site without a laptop.
• Dual Ethernet + RS485 ports: One port typically connects to the station bus (100 Mbps full-duplex), the other to a local engineering laptop or redundant switch—plus RS485 for legacy Modbus RTU fallback if needed.
• Configurable logic (SCL-based): You might notice that up to 64 custom logic elements (AND/OR/Timer/Counter) can be embedded directly—useful for interlocking schemes like “lockout if transformer temp > 95°C AND oil level low”.

Technical Specifications

Application Fields

The REC650 shines where flexibility meets regulatory pragmatism—think urban ring-main units, industrial medium-voltage switchgear (12–36 kV), wind farm collector substations, or water treatment plant feeders. In many cases, customers choose it over newer IEDs because it integrates cleanly with older ABB REF615 or REL670 systems using the same PCM600 toolset—and avoids retraining staff on entirely new configuration paradigms. We recently supplied six units to a Malaysian palm oil mill upgrading its 22 kV distribution; they kept their existing RTU but added REC650s for feeder-level fault recording and remote reset capability—cutting average outage time by ~35%.

Advantages & Value

From a procurement standpoint, the REC650 delivers real-world value beyond spec sheets. Its compatibility with ABB’s legacy engineering tools means lower training overhead and faster commissioning—typically 1–2 days per unit, not weeks. Spare part logistics are simpler too: the 1MRK008514-AB shares firmware, power supplies, and I/O modules with other REC6xx variants, so stocking one common spares kit covers multiple relay types. And while it’s not the cheapest relay on the market, total cost of ownership often comes out ahead when you factor in reduced integration effort, longer field calibration intervals (2 years recommended), and fewer third-party gateways.

Installation & Maintenance

Mount it in a well-ventilated, dust-free cabinet meeting IEC 61439-2 standards—minimum clearance of 50 mm above/below for convection cooling. Avoid direct sunlight or proximity to heat-generating devices like UPS inverters. Wiring should use shielded twisted-pair for analog inputs and GOOSE-critical binary inputs; ground shields at the relay end only. Safety-wise: always isolate all voltage sources before opening the front cover, and verify absence of voltage on VT/CT secondary circuits—especially before connecting test sets. For maintenance: clean vents every 6 months (compressed air, <3 bar), verify time sync accuracy quarterly (via SNTP or IRIG-B), and update firmware only during scheduled outages—ABB recommends sticking with LTS (Long-Term Support) releases unless a specific bug fix is required.

Quality & Certifications

This unit carries CE marking (EN 61000-6-2/6-4, EN 61000-4-2/3/4/5/6), UL 61000-6-2/6-4 (File E490793), RoHS 2011/65/EU compliance, and ISO 9001-certified manufacturing. ABB warrants the REC650 for 365 days from date of shipment—covering parts, labor, and firmware updates. If your project demands extended coverage, extended warranty options (up to 36 months) are available upon request, though most customers find the base term sufficient given its field reliability record.