Year: 2026

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 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.

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

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)

Certificates

• UL Listed product, File E103204

Control voltage

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

• Option 2: 24 … 60 V dc

Standardized communication

REF615 supports the new IEC 61850 standard for in

ter-device communication in substations. The relay

also supports the industry standard DNP3.0 and Mod

bus® protocols. The implementation of the IEC 61850

substation communication standard in REF615 en

compasses both vertical and horizontal communica

tion, including GOOSE messaging and parameter set

ting according to IEC 61850-8-1. The substation

configuration language enables the use of engi

neering tools for automated configuration, com

missioning, and maintenance of substation devices.

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.

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.

The REF615 is a dedicated feeder protection and control relay perfectly

aligned for the protection, control,measurement and supervision of

utility substations and industrialpower systems.

REF615 is a member of ABB’s Relion® family and a part

of its 615 protection and control product series. The

615 series protection and control relays are character

ized by their compactness and withdrawable design.

Engineered from the ground up, the 615 series has

been designed to unleash the full potential of the IEC

61850 standard for communication and interoperabil

ity of substation automation devices.

Application

The REF615 provides main protection for overhead

lines, cable feeders, and busbar systems of distribu

tion substations. It can be applied for protection and

control of grounded and ungrounded distribution sys

tems. Flexible order coding allows for choosing cur

rent-only or current-and-voltage configurations to

best fit your distribution feeder application needs.

Protection and control

The REF615 is the most powerful, advanced and sim

plest feeder protection relay in its class, perfectly of

fering time and instantaneous overcurrent, negative

sequence overcurrent, phase discontinuity, breaker

failure, thermal overload, and voltage metering and

protection. The relay also features optional high im

pedance fault (HIZ) protection for grounded and un

grounded distribution systems. Also, the relay incor

porates a flexible three-phase multi-shot auto-reclose

function for automatic feeder restoration in tempo

rary faults on overhead lines.

Enhanced with safety options, the relay offers a

three-channel arc-fault detection system for supervi

sion of the switchgear.

The REF615 also integrates basic control functionality,

which facilitates the control of one circuit breaker via

the relay’s front panel human machine interface (HMI)

or remote control system. To protect the relay from

unauthorized access and to maintain the integrity of

information, the relay has been provided with a four

level, role-based user authentication system, with in

dividual passwords for the viewer, operator, engineer,

and administrator levels. The access control system

applies to the front panel HMI, embedded web

browser based HMI, and the PCM600 relay setting and

configuration tool.

Bus protection via GOOSE

The IEC 61850 implementation in REF615R includes

fast peer-to-peer communication, over the substation bus.

Use GOOSE communication between REF615R IEDs of the

incoming and outgoing feeders of a substation to form a stable,

reliable, and high-speed busbar protection system. The cost-ef

fective GOOSE-based busbar protection is obtained by config

uring 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 horizontal communication between

the switchgear cubicles.

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

Binary inputs and outputs

− Eleven binary inputs standard

− Seven programmable outputs

− Three outputs configurable to NO or NC standard. One con

figurable output if HSO option is selected.

− One Form C self-check alarm output

− High-speed outputs (HSO) optional

Pre-emptive condition monitoring

For continuous knowledge of the operational availability of the

REF615R features, a comprehensive set of monitoring func

tions to supervise the relay health, the trip circuit, and the circuit

breaker health is included. The breaker monitoring can include

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 mainte nance.

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

Control voltage

− Option 1: 48 … 250 V dc, 48 … 240 V ac

− Option 2: 24 … 60 V dc

Product dimensions and weights

− Product Dimensions:  19.00” (482.60 mm) W x 5.22” (132.59

mm) H x 9.08” (230.66 mm) D

− Product Weight:  11.9 lb (5.4 kg)

Standardized communication

As a standard feature, REF615R supports the IEC 61850

standard for inter-device communication in substations along

with the industry standards DNP 3.0 and Modbus protocols.

The implementation of the IEC 61850 substation communi

cation standard in REF615R encompasses both vertical and

horizontal communication, including GOOSE messaging and

parameter setting according to IEC 61850-8-1. The substation

configuration language enables the use of engineering tools for

automated configuration, commissioning, and maintenance of

substation devices.

Protection and control

The REF615R is the most powerful, advanced and simplest

feeder protection relay in its class, offering time and instanta

neous overcurrent, negative sequence overcurrent,

phase discontinuity, breaker failure, thermal overload, and volt

age metering and protection. The relay features optional high

impedance fault (HIZ) and sensitive earth fault (SEF) protection

for grounded and ungrounded distribution systems. The relay

incorporates a flexible three-phase multi-shot auto-reclose

function for automatic feeder restoration in temporary faults on

overhead lines.

Enhanced with safety options, the relay offers a three-channel

arc-fault detection system for supervision of the switchgear as

an option.

The REF615R integrates basic control functionality, which

facilitates the control of one circuit breaker via the relay’s front

panel human machine interface (HMI) or remote control system.

To protect the relay from unauthorized access and to maintain

the integrity of information, the relay has been provided with a

four-level, role-based user authentication system, with individual

passwords for the viewer, operator, engineer, and administra

tor levels. The access control system applies to the front panel

HMI, embedded web browser based HMI, and the PCM600

relay setting and configuration tool.

Unique REF615R features

− Four major ease of replacement benefits for ANSI and IEC

DPU2000R users:

− Same form and fit eliminates panel cutting or rack repositioning

− Wire-alike I/O and CT/VT connections greatly reduce

drawing modification time

− Comparable protection and control plus more included

− Near SCADA-alike for DNP3.0 points & Modbus registers

− Six setting groups

− Drawout design

− Underground, overhead cable fault detection (CFD) – optional

− High-speed (< 1 ms) outputs – optional

− Field selectable 1A or 5A CT inputs

− Advanced user programmable function blocks

− 16 programmable pushbuttons

− High impedance (HIZ) fault detection – optional

− Arc flash detection (AFD) – optional

− Thermal overload protection of feeder cable

− Ring-lug terminals for all inputs and outputs

− Large, customizable, easy to read LCD screen

− Environmentally friendly design with RoHS compliance

− Web browser based HMI

− PCM600 Software Tool – tools for basic IEC61850 configura

tion are included at no additional charge in PCM600