ABB REC670 Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) for Bay Control

Description

What This Product Solves
REF670 Bay Control IEDs are designed to provide integrated protection, control, and monitoring for electrical bays in power distribution and substation environments. They consolidate protection logic, measurements, and supervisory communication in a single device, enabling fast fault detection, coordinated tripping, and enhanced situational awareness. This type of module is valuable for implementing consistent bay protection schemes, simplifying configuration, and improving reliability and maintainability across multiple substations or plants. With robust diagnostics and a flexible interface, REF670 supports scalable protection architectures and efficient service planning within ABB’s RELION/ REF ecosystem.

How the Product Works & Fits into a System
REF670 functions as a bay-level protection and control unit that interfaces with line/current transformers, voltage sensors, circuit breakers, and higher-level SCADA or protection platforms. It can operate in local or remote modes, providing local HMI access as well as networked communication for coordination with other IEDs and supervisory systems. The device supports protection algorithms, event logging, fault reporting, and interlocking logic to ensure secure and reliable operation of the feeder or transformer bays. The model designation is important for selecting the correct configuration, firmware, and integration specifics necessary to ensure compatibility with the broader protection scheme and maintenance workflows.

Technical Highlights Summary
Model Number REF670KM127AAAA (example format; exact SKU may vary)
Brand ABB
Type Bay protection and control IED
Voltage Range Variant-dependent (MV distribution levels)
Protection Functions Overcurrent, earth fault, temporary overcurrent, voltage protection, thermal monitoring, etc. (configurable)
Communication Interfaces IEC 61850, Modbus, IEC 60870-5, fiber options (variant-dependent)
I/O Analog inputs (current/voltage), protective relays outputs, event logging
Power Consumption Variant-dependent
Operating Temperature Variant-dependent (likely -25°C to +70°C for harsh environments)
Enclosure DIN rail or panel-mount options (variant dependent)
Standards CE RoHS UL (region dependent)
Diagnostics Event log, health monitoring, self-test, remote diagnostics

Real-World Benefits
A REF670 configuration provides comprehensive bay protection with integrated control and monitoring, enabling fast fault detection and coordinated protection actions. It simplifies wiring and reduces the number of separate devices needed for bay protection, which lowers installation complexity and improves maintainability. The unified model designation supports standardized spare parts, shared maintenance procedures, and consistent commissioning across multiple sites, aiding in lifecycle management and service planning.

Typical Use Cases
Mid-to-large substations and industrial plants requiring robust bay protection and coordination across multiple bays. Suitable for transformers, breakers, and feeder protection schemes where rapid fault isolation and reliable diagnostics are critical for uptime and safety.

Compatible or Alternative Products
REF670KM127AAAA – Base bay protection/configuration
REF670KM127AABA – Variant with alternative communications
REF671 – Expanded protection unit for adjacent bays
REF670 – Earlier or related REF bay protection family
REF541/REF543/REF545 – Other REF feeder protection lines for broader coverage

Setup Notes & Maintenance Insights
Before procurement, confirm the exact REF670 SKU and its voltage, communications, and I/O configuration. Verify compatibility with the substation or plant protection scheme, upstream/downstream devices, and supervisory systems. During commissioning, validate protection logic, interlocks, event logging, and communication paths. Ongoing maintenance should include regular health checks, firmware updates, and a review of fault history to identify recurring issues. Maintain a well-organized spare-parts inventory and document configuration baselines to support future upgrades or service events.