Month: September 2025

A PC with PCM600 can be connected to any 615 series IED within a station by

using the Ethernet connection. The connection can also be used for service and

maintenance purposes. In addition, the connection is used to handle disturbance

records from the protection IEDs using the IEC 61850 file transfer.

The modern-day IEDs are designed using the concept of the IEC 61850 standard.

This is primarily in regards to how functions within the IED are modelled and how

the IED is represented in the substation. See the IEC 61850 parameter list for the

list of logical nodes available in the IED and observe how they follow the structure

and rules as defined in part 7 of the standard.

The engineering of the used communication protocols is a separate task and an

addition to the engineering of protection and control functions.

PCM600 can be used for different purposes throughout the IED life cycle. A set of

special tools is available for different applications.

Connectivity Packages are separate software packages that provide type and

version information to PCM600. Further Connectivity Packages assist the tool with

communications.

PCM600 uses IEC 61850 over Ethernet to communicate with bay IEDs. This

communication allows PCM600 to configure and monitor the IEDs. In addition to

IEC 61850 the IEDs have optional communications protocols and hardware to

connect to station engineering tools. PCM600 provides the ability to export the

configuration of the IEDs or entire substation in a standard file format which

allows for station engineering.

A PC with PCM600 can be connected to any 615 series IED within a station by

using the Ethernet connection. The connection can also be used for service and

maintenance purposes. In addition, the connection is used to handle disturbance

records from the protection IEDs using the IEC 61850 file transfer.

Protection and Control IED Manager PCM600 offers all the necessary functionality

to work throughout all stages of the IED life cycle.

• Planning

• Engineering

• Commissioning

• Operation and disturbance handling

• Functional analysis

With the individual tool components, you can perform different tasks and functions

and control the whole substation. PCM600 can operate with many different

topologies, depending on the customer needs.

PCM600 is used to conduct complete engineering and configuration activities

needed for the bay level IEDs.

PCM600 uses IEC 61850 over Ethernet to communicate with bay IEDs. This

communication allows PCM600 to configure and monitor the IEDs. In addition to

IEC 61850 the IEDs have optional communications protocols and hardware to

connect to station engineering tools. PCM600 provides the ability to export the

configuration of the IEDs or entire substation in a standard file format which

allows for station engineering.

The standard supports free allocation of functions to devices. With efficient

communication facilities, the functions can be located anywhere in the system, that

is, an interlocking function can reside in the IED or on the station level.

Additionally, the standard is open for different system implementations, that is,

different integration levels and allocation of functions to different devices is

supported.

The standard also defines an XML description language for substation automation

systems. The language facilitates efficient integration of devices into systems in an

automated fashion. Additionally the standard supports a comprehensive and

consistent system definition and engineering, which makes not only the devices,

but also their tools and systems interoperable (standard part 6).

The standard uses Ethernet and TCP/IP for communication. Since Ethernet and TCP/

IP are widely accepted and used, the application of these technologies provide a

broad range of features from mainstream communication (standard parts 8-1. 9-2).

However, IEC 61850 is also open for possible new communication concepts in the

future.

The IEC 61850 standard specifies an expandable data model and services for

substation automation (standard parts 7-x). The standard does not specify any

protection or control functions, but specifies how the functions expose their

information to a communication network.

The standard supports free allocation of functions to devices. With efficient

communication facilities, the functions can be located anywhere in the system, that

is, an interlocking function can reside in the IED or on the station level.

Additionally, the standard is open for different system implementations, that is,

different integration levels and allocation of functions to different devices is

supported.

The standard also defines an XML description language for substation automation

systems. The language facilitates efficient integration of devices into systems in an

automated fashion. Additionally the standard supports a comprehensive and

consistent system definition and engineering, which makes not only the devices,

but also their tools and systems interoperable (standard part 6).

The international IEC 61850 standard defines a framework for substation

communications networks and systems. The standard consists of several parts

ranging from the requirements on substation automation systems to the details of a

communication protocol.

One major difference between the other communication protocols applied in

substation automation and IEC 61850 is that the latter is not only a communication

protocol, but a whole framework for specifying, engineering and operating

substation automation systems. The communication part covers the connection

between the IEDs and the substation clients, for example, SCADA and gateways.

The IEC 61850 standard specifies an expandable data model and services for

substation automation (standard parts 7-x). The standard does not specify any

protection or control functions, but specifies how the functions expose their

information to a communication network.

Communication

• IEC 61850-8-1 with GOOSE messaging

• DNP3.0 Level 2+ over TCP/IP

• Modbus over TCP/IP

• Time synchronization via SNTP (primary and backup servers)

• Optional serial RS-485 port programmable for

DNP3.0 Level 2+ or Modbus RTU

• Optional IRIG-B time synchronization

• Optional HSR/PRP communication

• Optional IEEE1588v2 time synchronization (available

with REF615 V5.0 and later)

• IEC61850-9-2LE (available with REF615 V5.0 and later)

Product dimensions and weights

• Frame: 6.97” (177 mm) W x 6.97” (177 mm) H

• Case: 6.57” (165 mm) W x 6.30” (160 mm) H x 6.10”

(155 mm)

• Weight: Relay – 7.72 lbs. (3.5 kg); Draw-out unit – 3.97

lbs. (1.8 kg)

Tools

• PCM600 V2.8 for setting, configuration and data retrieval

• COM600 Station Automation series products V5.0

• Web browser based user interface (IE 11 or later)

Analog inputs

• Three phase currents: 5/1 A programmable

• Ground current: 5/1 A programmable or 0.2 A

Rated frequency: 60/50 Hz programmable

• Three-phase and ground voltages: programmable

nominal secondary voltage (available as options)

Binary inputs and outputs

• Four, eight with VT inputs, binary inputs standard

• Two NO outputs with trip circuit monitoring

• Three NO outputs

• One Form C output and self-check alarm output

• Additional binary inputs and outputs available as options

Tools

• PCM600 V2.8 for setting, configuration and data retrieval

• COM600 Station Automation series products V5.0

• Web browser based user interface (IE 11 or later)

Certificates

• UL Listed product, File E103204

Control voltage

• Option 1: 48 … 250 V dc, 100 … 240 V ac

• Option 2: 24 … 60 V dc

Bus protection via GOOSE

The IEC 61850 implementation in REF615 also in

cludes fast peer-to-peer communication, over the

substation bus. Use GOOSE communication be

tween REF615 IEDs of the incoming and outgoing

feeders of a substation cooperate to form a stable,

reliable, and high-speed busbar protection system.

The cost-effective GOOSE-based busbar protec

tion is obtained by configuring the IEDs and the

operational availability of the protection is assured

by continuous supervision of the protection IEDs

and their GOOSE messaging over the station bus.

No separate hard-wiring is needed for the horizon

tal communication between the switchgear cubicles.

Pre-emptive condition monitoring

For continuous knowledge of the operational avail

ability of the REF615 features, a comprehensive set

of monitoring functions to supervise the relay

health, the trip circuit, and the circuit breaker

health is included. The breaker monitoring can in

clude checking the wear and tear of the circuit

breaker, the spring charging time of the breaker

operating mechanism and the gas pressure of the

breaker chambers. The relay also monitors the

breaker travel time and the number of circuit

breaker operations to provide basic information

for scheduling breaker maintenance.

Bus protection via GOOSE

The IEC 61850 implementation in REF615 also in

cludes fast peer-to-peer communication, over the

substation bus. Use GOOSE communication be

tween REF615 IEDs of the incoming and outgoing

feeders of a substation cooperate to form a stable,

reliable, and high-speed busbar protection system.