Description
ABB REF541KB115AAAA FEEDER TERMINAL REF541 CONTROLLER
ABB REF541KB115AAAA Feeder Terminal REF541 Controller Feeder Terminal Protection Control Device
[Product Positioning]
REF541KB115AAAA is a basic (functional level B) product in the ABB REF 541 series feeder terminal, and belongs to the core bay level equipment of ABB distribution automation systems. It integrates the protection, control, measurement, monitoring, and PLC logic of medium voltage power grids into a single device, targeting power system scenarios that require high reliability feeder protection and substation automation. It is a digital alternative to traditional electromechanical relays and independent protection devices. In the model, “K” represents the switchgear installation type, “B” represents the basic functional level, “115” represents the hardware version, and “AAAA” represents the auxiliary power supply and current input configuration.
[Core Function]
This device simultaneously undertakes tasks such as feeder protection, capacitor bank protection, motor protection, measurement monitoring, and sequence control. Built in dual processor architecture: one processor is dedicated to ultra fast protection algorithms (with a trip time of less than 16 milliseconds), while the other processor manages communication, HMI interaction, and data recording, without preempting resources. The protection function blocks are independent of each other, each with its own set of fixed values and data records, and do not affect each other. In addition to protection, measurement, control, and status monitoring, REF541 also provides a large number of PLC programmable logic functions, which can integrate the automation and sequential logic control required for substation automation into one device, reducing the need for on-site hard wiring.
ABB REF541KB115AAAA FEEDER TERMINAL REF541 CONTROLLER
[Protection Function]
Overcurrent protection: Three phase non directional overcurrent (low setting value 50/51, high setting value 50/51B, instantaneous 50/51B), supports directional overcurrent protection (67).
Ground fault protection: Non directional and directional ground fault protection (50N/51N/67N), suitable for effective grounding, resonant grounding, and low resistance grounding networks.
Voltage protection: overvoltage (59), low voltage (27), residual voltage (59N) protection.
Thermal overload protection (49): Three phase thermal overload and current imbalance protection.
Automatic reclosing (79): supports synchronous and no voltage detection functions.
Circuit breaker failure protection (50BF): backup protection.
Capacitor protection: current imbalance protection, overvoltage protection, power factor controller (COPFC, only available for Control level).
Motor protection: Negative sequence imbalance, locked rotor, load loss, reverse protection, start time monitoring.
Frequency protection: Low frequency, high frequency, and rate of change (ROCOF) protection.
Measurement function
Measure three-phase current, zero sequence current, three-phase voltage, zero sequence voltage, frequency, active power, reactive power, power factor, and electrical energy (kWh/kvarh). Supports pulse counting input (REF541 provides 7 pulse counting input ports). Support RTD/analog module expansion for temperature, current/voltage measurement, and mA output.
Power Quality Monitoring
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) measurement, both current and voltage THD are supported, with 3-second and 10 minute mean values ranging from 0% to 120%. Measure harmonic components up to the 13th harmonic, and measure 2-13 harmonics without harmonic components. Instantaneous voltage change monitoring: voltage sag, transient rise, instantaneous interruption, in accordance with IEC 61000-4-30 standard.
Fault recording
Built in fault recording module, 16 analog input channels+16 switch channels. The sampling frequency of the 50Hz system is 2kHz, and the sampling frequency of the 60Hz system is 2.4kHz. The waveform data format is COMTRADE format, which can be read and analyzed using ABB’s free tool DR Collector (integrated in CAP501/CAP505). Record the last 100 events and support high-level syntax queries.
[Control Function]
Local and remote control switch objects, supporting synchronous verification function. Circuit breaker, isolation switch status indication, interval level and station level interlocking. The MIMIC screen is editable, and the device status (open/closed/uncertain) is displayed intuitively on the LCD screen. All control functions and logic can be tuned through relay configuration software.
【 Fault location 】
Suitable for radial distribution systems, it can identify short-circuit points in various types of distribution networks, determine grounding positions in low resistance/low reactance grounding systems, and help quickly restore power supply after grid faults.
[Status Monitoring]
Circuit breaker action count counter, circuit breaker cumulative electrical wear calculation, maintenance plan reminder, trip circuit monitoring, circuit breaker travel time monitoring, SF6 gas pressure monitoring, spring energy storage time monitoring, internal self diagnosis of the device. The self diagnostic function continuously monitors the integrity of the relay and locks all protection functions and output contacts in case of abnormalities.
[Communication Interface]
Three communication interfaces: one for local communication with PC (RS-232), and two for simultaneous dual port communication (such as substation communication system+monitoring system).
Supporting protocols: SPA bus, LON bus IEC 60870-5-103、DNP 3.0、Modbus RTU/TCP。
Supports IEC 61850 through SPA-ZC 400 adapter.
Supports Profibus DPV1 through SPA-ZC 302 adapter.
The combination of LON communication and PLC functions can significantly reduce the need for hard wiring between feeder terminals.
[Physical Specifications]
Dimensions: Approximately 255mm x 160mm x 200mm (width x height x depth, including front panel), net weight of approximately 1.5kg.
Installation method: 35mm DIN rail, compatible with standard switchgear openings.
Front panel protection level: IP20 (compatible with cabinet to meet IEC 61850 environmental rating requirements).
Working temperature range: -25 ° C to+55 ° C, storage temperature -40 ° C to+85 ° C.
Auxiliary power supply: 110-240V AC/DC (Uaux), current input: 1/5A or 0.2/1A (In), frequency 50/60Hz.
Power consumption: typically around 8W.
Fanless design, no electrolytic capacitors, no moving parts, maintenance free long-term operation.
[Human Computer Interface]
Fixed large screen LCD display, 128 × 160 resolution, 19 line graphic display screen, supports multiple languages (Chinese, English, etc.). The front panel is equipped with a RUN/ERROR/COMM three color LED status indicator and operation buttons, supporting password level protection (password 1 controls position, password 2 parameter setting, password 3 is read-only).
I/O Configuration (REF541 Basic Type)
Digital input: 15 DI (configurable as alarm, event, timing logic, contour step waiting logic, etc.).
Trip circuit monitoring input: 2.
Digital output: 5 NO single poles+5 NO/NC+2 signal outputs NO+1 self-monitoring output, a total of 13 outlet relays.
Analog input: 9 sensor channels (can be connected to Rogowski coils or voltage sensors)+9 matching transformer channels (CT1-CT5, VT1-VT4), channel 1 only supports sensors, and channel 6 only supports matching transformers.
Programming and Configuration
Use ABB CAP501 (REF541/543) or CAP505 (REF545) relay configuration tools for protection setting, PLC logic editing, and MIMIC screen configuration. Support offline simulation verification. Function block naming options: ANSI device number, IEC symbol, or ABB naming.
[Typical Application]
Medium voltage feeder protection: feeder overcurrent, grounding, and reclosing protection for 10kV-35kV radial or ring network distribution systems.
Protection and control of capacitor banks: switching control and unbalanced protection of reactive power compensation parallel capacitor banks.
Motor protection: Start monitoring, thermal overload, and locked rotor protection for medium-sized three-phase asynchronous motors.
Substation automation: Integration of compartment protection, measurement, control, and communication, replacing multiple independent devices.
Suitable for single bus, double bus, and double switch wiring methods, supporting various network types such as neutral ungrounded, resonant grounded, and low resistance grounded.
Comparison with the same series
REF541：15DI / 13DO， Suitable for medium complexity applications such as feeder protection (this product).
REF543: 25DI/19DO, with richer I/O, suitable for occasions that require more interlocking.
REF545:34DI/25DO, with the richest I/O, suitable for large substations or complex automation needs.
The electrical core of the three is consistent, the software is compatible, and can be selected as needed. The functional level is divided into three levels: Basic (B, this product), Control (C), and Multi (M). The higher the level, the stronger the protection and automation functions.
