ABB REC670

Product Overview and Introduction

The ABB REC670 is an advanced line distance protection and control relay, a core member of ABB’s Relion 670 series of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs). Specifically engineered for the protection of high-voltage and extra-high-voltage transmission lines, the ABB REC670 provides comprehensive, high-speed protection against phase and earth faults using advanced distance protection (impedance measurement) as its primary function. This relay is a cornerstone of modern grid protection, ensuring the security and stability of electrical transmission networks by selectively isolating faulted lines while maintaining the integrity of the healthy grid.

Detailed Product Parameters and Specifications

The relay’s technical profile is defined by its protection schemes and performance metrics:

• Primary Protection Functions:
  • Distance Protection (21): Multiple zones of phase-to-phase and phase-to-earth distance protection with quadrilateral or mho characteristics. Includes power swing detection and blocking (PSB).
  • Directional Earth-Fault Protection: Sensitive directional and non-directional earth-fault protection for high-resistance faults.
• Backup & Additional Protection: Includes overcurrent protection (50/51, 50N/51N), breaker failure protection (50BF), automatic reclosing (79) for single-pole and three-pole reclosing sequences, and synchrocheck (25).
• Measurement & Control: Extensive measurement of currents, voltages, power, power factor, frequency, and energy. Integrated breaker control functionality.
• Communication Protocols: Native support for major industry standards including IEC 61850 (GOOSE for interlocking, MMS for SCADA), IEC 60870-5-103/104, and DNP3, enabling seamless integration into digital substations.
• Inputs/Outputs: Configurable analog inputs for CTs and VTs, and a large number of binary inputs and outputs for tripping, alarms, and control.
• Fault Locator: Accurate calculation of the fault distance from the relay location, aiding in rapid line restoration.
• Power Supply: Available for standard station battery voltages (e.g., 48-125 V DC, 110-250 V DC).
• Environmental: Ruggedized design for harsh substation environments with high immunity to electromagnetic interference.

Key Advantages and Distinctive Features

The ABB REC670 offers significant advantages for transmission system protection:

• High-Speed, Selective Protection: Its advanced distance algorithms provide extremely fast and selective fault clearance, which is critical for maintaining transient stability and power quality on the grid.
• Adaptive Protection Schemes: Capable of adapting protection settings based on system conditions (e.g., changing source impedance), enhancing reliability under varying network configurations.
• Integrated Full Scheme: Combines distance protection, autoreclosing, breaker failure, and synchrocheck in a single, compact device, reducing panel space, wiring, and commissioning complexity.
• Powerful Cyber Security: Designed with robust cybersecurity features meeting IEC 62351 standards, including role-based access control, audit trails, and secure communication, which are essential for critical grid infrastructure.
• Advanced User Interface and Engineering: Features a clear graphical LCD local HMI. Configuration and setting management are performed using ABB’s powerful and user-friendly PCM600 software, streamlining the entire engineering lifecycle.
• Proven Reliability and Interoperability: As part of the widely deployed Relion 670 series, it offers proven reliability and seamless interoperability with other ABB IEDs in a substation, making the ABB REC670 a trusted choice for system integrators and utilities.

Application Scenarios and Case Studies

This relay is the standard for protecting critical transmission infrastructure:

• HV & EHV Transmission Lines: Primary and backup protection for 110 kV, 230 kV, 400 kV, and 765 kV overhead lines and cables.
• Substation Bay Control: Acting as the main protection and control IED for a line bay in an air-insulated (AIS) or gas-insulated (GIS) substation.
• Tie Lines & Interconnectors: Protecting lines that connect different transmission systems or control areas, where advanced synchrocheck and power swing blocking are crucial.
• Industrial Incoming Supply: Protecting the high-voltage incoming feeder to a large industrial plant (e.g., steel mill, refinery).

A typical application case is the upgrade of a 230 kV transmission line protection scheme. Replacing older electromechanical or static relays with the ABB REC670 provided multiple zones of numerical distance protection, integrated single-pole autoreclosing to improve grid stability, and IEC 61850 communication for streamlined data integration into the utility’s new SCADA/EMS system, significantly improving grid reliability and operational visibility.

Comparison with Competing Products

When compared to leading line distance protection relays from competitors like Siemens (SIPROTEC 7SA87), GE Multilin (D60/L90), or SEL (SEL-421), the ABB REC670 is a top-tier competitor:

• Algorithm Sophistication and Flexibility: Often praised for the flexibility and advanced features of its distance protection zones and characteristics, allowing for precise adaptation to complex line configurations.
• IEC 61850 Implementation Maturity: ABB is a recognized leader in the practical implementation of IEC 61850, and the REC670 benefits from a mature, feature-rich, and well-documented integration model, which is a major advantage for digital substation projects.
• Unified Engineering Environment: The use of PCM600 across the entire Relion series provides a consistent and efficient engineering experience for utilities that standardize on ABB protection.

Competitors may offer advantages in specific areas such as ultra-high-speed operation, different hardware platforms, or specific regional preferences and support networks. The choice often involves detailed technical benchmarking, total cost of ownership analysis, and alignment with existing utility standards.

Selection Guidelines and Important Considerations

Selecting, configuring, and applying the ABB REC670 is a complex engineering task requiring meticulous attention:

1. Detailed Line Parameters: Accurate line impedance data (positive and zero sequence R, X, B) is absolutely essential for correct setting of the distance protection zones. Fault studies are required to determine zone reaches and time delays.
2. System Configuration and Source Data: Knowledge of source impedances (strong/weak source) at both ends of the line is critical for setting the relay and ensuring correct operation during faults.
3. Communication-Assisted Protection: For schemes requiring permissive overreach transfer trip (POTT) or directional comparison blocking (DCB), the communication channel (fiber, power line carrier) and interface must be specified and integrated.
4. Coordination Studies: The relay’s settings must be carefully coordinated with protections on adjacent lines (both ends) and with downstream transformers to ensure selective fault clearance across the network.
5. Commissioning and Testing: Rigorous testing using modern secondary injection test sets is mandatory. This includes verification of all distance zones, logic schemes (autoreclose sequences, breaker failure), and communication-assisted protection schemes.
6. Cybersecurity Hardening: Upon commissioning, immediately implement cybersecurity measures: change default passwords, configure access control lists, disable unused services, and establish a patch management strategy. All configuration must be done using the official PCM600 software and the manual for the ABB REC670, accessible via the product link, as the primary reference. Testing of GOOSE and Sampled Value streams (if used) is a critical part of the commissioning process for IEC 61850 projects.