ABB REF615E_E HBFHAEAGNBA1BNN1XE – Feeder Protection and Control Relay for Medium-Voltage Distribution

The ABB Relion REF615E_E is a compact feeder protection and control relay designed for MV switchgear where dependable overcurrent and earth-fault protection is a must. From my experience, it’s the model utilities and industrial plants pick when they want robust IEC 61850 communication, straightforward commissioning, and all the essentials for feeder protection in one device. The configuration code “HBFHAEAGNBA1BNN1XE” points to an Ethernet-enabled hardware variant with a broad power supply option and rich I/O that suits most 11–36 kV feeder bays.

Company’s Order Placement Process and Guarantees

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

Key Features

• Feeder Overcurrent & Earth-Fault Protection – Directional and non-directional protection elements for phase and ground faults help isolate faults quickly and keep the network stable.
• IEC 61850 with GOOSE – Native Ethernet communication for fast peer-to-peer messaging and seamless substation integration; typically supports Modbus and IEC 60870 protocols as needed.
• Disturbance & Event Recording – COMTRADE disturbance recorder, detailed event logs, and fault location functions simplify analysis after a trip.
• Integrated Control – Breaker control, interlocking, and supervision in the same device reduce panel components and wiring complexity.
• Arc-Flash Inputs (optional) – Light detection inputs can be used for high-speed arc protection in many cases, cutting clearing time dramatically.
• Flexible I/O and CT/VT Support – 3-phase CTs plus residual, and 3-phase VTs are typical in this series; binary inputs/outputs are configurable for local schemes.
• HMI with Web Access – Front-panel display and LEDs for local work; built-in web tools usually speed up settings, testing, and lifecycle maintenance.
• Rugged Design – Designed to meet IEC 60255 requirements for EMC and vibration; suitable for harsh substation and plant environments.

Technical Specifications

Application Fields

You’ll typically see REF615E_E relays in primary and secondary substations, metal-clad switchgear, and industrial plant feeders. They fit well in:

• Utility distribution feeders (11–36 kV) with auto-reclose and GOOSE-based interlocking
• Industrial motor feeders and transformer feeders with earth-fault sensitivity
• Renewable collector systems and tie feeders where fast fault clearance is crucial
• Process plants that standardize on IEC 61850 and want event/fault records for compliance

Advantages & Value

• Reliability you can measure – Solid protection algorithms and disturbance records cut troubleshooting time; one customer told us fault location shaved hours off fault patrols.
• Interoperability – Appears to be one of the smoother relays to drop into mixed-vendor IEC 61850 stations; GOOSE mapping is straightforward.
• Lifecycle cost – Having control and protection in one relay reduces wiring, panel space, and spares. Firmware tools usually keep maintenance costs predictable.
• Support & spares – Widely deployed 615 platform means easier access to documentation, accessories (CTs, arc sensors), and field knowledge.

Installation & Maintenance

• Panel & environment – Mount in a ventilated switchgear or control cabinet; avoid high vibration and direct heat sources; keep ambient within the specified range.
• Wiring – Use shielded twisted pair for comms; torque terminals per ABB guidance; verify CT polarities and VT ratios before energization.
• Grounding – Bond the relay case and cable shields at a single point to minimize EMC issues.
• Commissioning – Secondary injection for pickup/curve checks; end-to-end GOOSE testing if used for interlocking; confirm event time sync (SNTP or similar).
• Routine care – Back up settings after any change, review disturbance/event logs after operations, keep the front filter clean, and apply firmware updates when released (after site approval).
• Spares & accessories – Common add-ons include arc-flash light sensors, test plugs, Ethernet patch cords, and pre-wired terminal blocks.

Quality & Certifications

• Conforms to IEC 60255 protection relay standards (EMC, electrical, and environmental tests)
• CE compliant; RoHS-compliant materials
• UL/cUL availability is common for this series, depending on exact variant
• Manufacturer warranty: 365 days (supplier policy above)