ABB REG670

Description

Product Overview and Introduction

The ABB REG670 is a state-of-the-art, multi-functional generator protection relay belonging to ABB’s renowned Relion 670 series. As an Intelligent Electronic Device (IED), it is specifically engineered for the comprehensive protection, control, measurement, and monitoring of medium to large generators and generator-transformer blocks in power generation plants. The ABB REG670 consolidates a vast array of protection functions into a single, robust device, providing a complete solution for safeguarding critical and expensive generation assets against electrical faults and abnormal operating conditions.

Detailed Product Parameters and Specifications

The relay’s capabilities are defined by a comprehensive set of technical specifications:

• Primary Protection Functions: Includes 100% stator earth-fault protection, differential protection (generator, transformer, overall), negative sequence/unbalance protection, loss of excitation, pole slipping/out-of-step protection, overvoltage, undervoltage, and over/underfrequency protection.
• Backup Protection: Features distance protection (21) for backup of network faults, as well as definite and inverse time overcurrent protection.
• Control & Monitoring: Built-in logic for automatic synchronizing (25) and generator breaker control, along with extensive metering for voltage, current, power, power factor, frequency, and energy.
• Inputs/Outputs: Configurable analog inputs (current, voltage) and a large number of binary inputs and outputs for status, alarms, and tripping.
• Communication Protocols: Native support for major industry standards including IEC 61850 (GOOSE, MMS, Sampled Values), IEC 60870-5-103/104, Modbus, and DNP3 for seamless integration into substation automation and plant DCS/SCADA systems.
• CT/VT Requirements: Supports a wide range of current transformer (CT) and voltage transformer (VT) ratios and connection types.
• Power Supply: Available for standard station DC supplies (24-48V, 48-125V, 110-250V DC) or AC supplies.
• Environmental: Ruggedized design for demanding substation and power plant environments, with high EMC immunity and a wide operating temperature range.

Key Advantages and Distinctive Features

The ABB REG670 offers significant advantages for modern power generation protection:

• Complete, Integrated Solution: Replaces an entire cabinet of discrete electromechanical relays with a single, compact IED, drastically reducing wiring, panel space, and commissioning time while improving reliability.
• Advanced Protection Algorithms: Incorporates ABB’s latest numerical algorithms for highly sensitive and selective protection, such as the innovative Sensitive Directional Power Protection (67) for detecting motoring conditions.
• Powerful Cyber Security: Designed with robust cybersecurity features from the ground up, including role-based access control, event logging, and secure communication as per IEC 62351, which is critical for modern grid assets.
• Superior User Interface: Features a large, intuitive graphical LCD local HMI for detailed settings, real-time measurements, disturbance records, and easy diagnostics. Engineering is performed via the powerful and user-friendly PCM600 software.
• High Reliability & Availability: Designed with a mean time between failures (MTBF) exceeding 100 years for critical components and supports redundant configurations (power, communication) for maximum availability.
• Condition Monitoring Features: Includes built-in disturbance recorder, fault locator, and extensive event logging, providing valuable data for condition-based maintenance and post-event analysis.

Application Scenarios and Case Studies

The ABB REG670 is the protection standard for various generator applications:

• Thermal Power Plants: Complete protection for steam turbine-driven generators (coal, gas, biomass) including the generator, exciter, and step-up transformer.
• Hydroelectric Power Plants: Protection for salient-pole hydro generators, including specialized functions for under/overfrequency related to islanding and water hammer prevention.
• Industrial Generation: Protection for large gas turbines or combined heat and power (CHP) generators in industrial complexes, paper mills, or refineries.
• Renewable Integration: Protection for synchronous condensers or large synchronous generators used for grid stability support alongside wind and solar farms.

A classic application case is the modernization of a 200 MW steam turbine unit. Replacing an old panel of discrete relays with a single ABB REG670 simplified the protection scheme, enabled remote monitoring via IEC 61850, and provided advanced metering and disturbance recording capabilities that were previously unavailable, leading to improved operational insight and reduced maintenance costs.

Comparison with Competing Products

When compared to competing generator protection relays from manufacturers like Siemens (SIPROTEC 7UM85), GE Multilin (G60/850), or Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL-700G), the ABB REG670 is a top-tier competitor:

• Functional Comprehensiveness: Often noted for its exceptionally wide range of built-in protection and control functions in a standard package, reducing the need for additional hardware or licenses.
• IEC 61850 Implementation: ABB is a leader in the practical application of the IEC 61850 standard, and the REG670 benefits from a mature, feature-rich implementation that simplifies engineering and integration in digital substations.
• Global Support Network: Backed by ABB’s extensive global service and support infrastructure, which is a critical consideration for power plant operators.

Competitors may offer advantages in areas like ultra-high-speed tripping for specific functions, different form factors, or specific integration with a particular plant DCS. The choice often involves a detailed technical evaluation, total cost of ownership analysis, and existing relationships.

Selection Guidelines and Important Considerations

Selecting, configuring, and applying the ABB REG670 is a significant engineering task:

1. Define Generator and System Parameters: Detailed generator nameplate data (MVA, kV, Xd”), step-up transformer data, and system characteristics (grounding method, CT/VT ratios) are mandatory for proper relay setting calculation.
2. Perform Protection Coordination Studies: Settings for the REG670 must be carefully coordinated with upstream (transmission) and downstream (plant auxiliary) protection devices to ensure selective fault clearance. This requires detailed short-circuit and coordination studies.
3. Plan the Communication Architecture: Early planning for the SCADA/DCS interface is crucial. Decide on the primary protocol (IEC 61850 is recommended for new projects), IP addressing, and required data points (GOOSE for interlocking, MMS for SCADA).
4. Consider Redundancy Requirements: For critical units, consider redundant REG670 devices in a hot-standby configuration or redundant power supplies and communication paths.
5. Commissioning and Testing: Rigorous primary and secondary injection testing by qualified protection engineers is essential to validate every protection function and setting. The use of advanced test sets capable of simulating complex scenarios (e.g., out-of-step conditions) is recommended.
6. Cybersecurity Hardening: Upon installation, immediately change default passwords, define user roles, disable unused communication ports, and follow ABB’s cybersecurity guidelines for the REG670. Always use the official PCM600 software and documentation, accessible via the ABB REG670 product link, for all configuration work.

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