ABB REL670 Distance Protection Relay (Industrial-Grade Transmission Line Guardian)

The ABB REL670 (1MRK002812-AC) represents a next-generation solution for transmission line protection, engineered to safeguard high-voltage networks from phase-to-phase faults, ground faults, and power system instabilities. Designed for utilities and industrial power operators managing 110kV to 500kV transmission corridors, this relay combines multi-zone distance protection with intelligent fault discrimination algorithms to ensure grid reliability while minimizing false trips. Whether you're protecting radial lines, parallel circuits, or series-compensated networks, the REL670 delivers the precision and speed critical for modern power system operations.

Built on ABB's proven protection platform, this relay addresses the core challenges faced by transmission operators: accurate fault location under varying system conditions, coordination with teleprotection schemes, and seamless integration into IEC 61850 substation automation architectures. With adaptive impedance measurement and built-in power swing blocking, the REL670 maintains protection security during load transfers and system disturbances that would compromise conventional relays.

From initial commissioning to decades of field operation, the REL670 reduces engineering time through intuitive configuration tools while providing comprehensive event records and waveform captures for post-fault analysis. Its modular hardware design supports future expansion, protecting your capital investment as system requirements evolve.

Core Features & Technical Advantages

• ✓ Six Independent Protection Zones: Configurable polygonal or quadrilateral impedance characteristics with adjustable reach and angle settings, enabling precise coordination with adjacent line sections and backup protection schemes
• ✓ High-Precision Fault Location: Impedance-based algorithms achieve ±0.5% accuracy of total line length, reducing patrol time and accelerating restoration after permanent faults on overhead transmission lines
• ✓ Ultra-Fast Zone 1 Operation: Trip decision within 20 milliseconds for solid faults in the primary protection zone, minimizing equipment stress and maintaining transient stability margins
• ✓ Multi-Protocol Communication: Native support for IEC 61850 (GOOSE/MMS), DNP3, Modbus RTU/TCP, and IEC 60870-5-103 ensures compatibility with legacy SCADA systems and modern substation automation platforms
• ✓ Advanced Disturbance Recording: Captures 15 pre-fault and 30 post-fault cycles at 4kHz sampling rate across all analog channels, providing forensic-quality data for protection performance validation and system studies
• ✓ Self-Diagnostic Monitoring: Continuous supervision of CT/VT circuits, trip coil continuity, and internal processing modules with detailed alarm messaging reduces maintenance costs and prevents protection failures

Application Scenarios & Industry Solutions

→ Meshed Transmission Networks: In interconnected grids where multiple generation sources and load centers create complex fault current distributions, the REL670's directional distance elements correctly identify fault direction and zone, preventing unnecessary line isolations that could cascade into wider outages.

→ Series-Compensated Lines: For transmission corridors utilizing series capacitors to increase power transfer capacity, the relay's voltage-memory polarization and sub-harmonic blocking functions maintain protection accuracy during capacitor bypass operations and sub-synchronous resonance conditions.

→ Tapped Transmission Lines: When transformer stations tap into main transmission lines, the REL670's adaptive reach settings automatically compensate for impedance variations caused by tap load changes, eliminating the need for manual setting adjustments during system reconfigurations.

→ Renewable Integration Projects: As wind farms and solar plants connect to transmission grids, the relay's weak infeed logic and evolving fault detection algorithms ensure reliable protection even when fault current contributions vary with generation output levels.

→ Cross-Border Interconnections: For tie-lines connecting regional grids or national systems, the REL670's teleprotection interfaces (POTT, PUTT, DCB, blocking schemes) coordinate with remote terminal relays to achieve instantaneous tripping across the entire protected line length.

Technical Parameters & Selection Guide

Selection Criteria: Choose the REL670 when your transmission line protection requires more than basic overcurrent functions—specifically when fault location accuracy, teleprotection coordination, or IEC 61850 integration are project requirements. For distribution feeders (≤35kV) or radial circuits without distance protection needs, consider the REF615 or REF650 feeder protection relays as cost-effective alternatives.

Extended Functions & System Integration

Teleprotection Schemes: Built-in logic for Permissive Overreach Transfer Trip (POTT), Permissive Underreach Transfer Trip (PUTT), Directional Comparison Blocking (DCB), and Direct Transfer Trip (DTT) schemes eliminates the need for external auxiliary relays, reducing panel space and wiring complexity.

Breaker Failure Protection: Integrated breaker failure detection with retrip and bus transfer trip outputs coordinates with adjacent bay protection devices via hardwired contacts or GOOSE messaging, ensuring fault clearance even when primary circuit breakers fail to operate.

Power Swing Blocking & Tripping: Concentric impedance blinders detect stable and unstable power swings, blocking distance elements during transient swings while permitting trips during out-of-step conditions to prevent equipment damage and maintain system stability.

Synchrophasor Measurement: Optional PMU functionality provides IEEE C37.118 compliant phasor data at up to 50 frames per second, supporting wide-area monitoring systems (WAMS) and real-time stability assessment without additional measurement devices.

PCM600 Engineering Tool: ABB's unified configuration platform enables offline relay programming, setting file version control, and fleet-wide parameter updates. Import/export functions support standardized protection philosophies across multiple substations, reducing engineering errors and commissioning time.

Delivery Timeline & Service Guarantee

Standard Delivery: 4-6 weeks for catalog configurations (1MRK002812-AC base model with standard I/O)

Custom Configurations: 8-10 weeks for projects requiring additional communication modules, extended I/O, or factory acceptance testing (FAT)

Warranty Coverage: 24-month manufacturer warranty covering materials and workmanship defects from shipment date. Extended warranty programs available for critical infrastructure applications.

Technical Support: Access to ABB-certified protection engineers for setting calculation assistance, commissioning support, and troubleshooting via email/phone. On-site commissioning services available upon request.

Documentation Package: Includes technical manual, application guide, IEC 61850 ICD file, PCM600 configuration templates, and AutoCAD panel drawings. COMTRADE test files and relay test plans provided for commissioning teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does the REL670 interface with existing RTU or SCADA systems that don't support IEC 61850?
A: The relay includes dual RS-485 serial ports supporting DNP3 (Level 2) and Modbus RTU/TCP protocols, ensuring backward compatibility with legacy SCADA infrastructure. Protocol conversion is handled internally without external gateways.

Q: What is the maximum transmission line length this relay can protect effectively?
A: Protection reach depends on line impedance rather than physical length. For typical 220kV overhead lines (0.3-0.5Ω/km), the relay can protect lines up to 300km with proper zone coordination. Series-compensated lines may require special settings.

Q: Can the REL670 reduce substation energy costs through improved protection selectivity?
A: Yes—by minimizing false trips and reducing fault clearance time, the relay decreases equipment stress and unplanned outages. Utilities report 30-40% reduction in protection-related interruptions compared to electromechanical relay schemes, translating to improved system availability and reduced penalty costs.

Q: What are the physical installation requirements for panel mounting?
A: The relay uses a standard 1/2 19-inch rack mount case (4U height). Panel cutout dimensions are 177mm (W) × 177mm (H). Minimum clearance of 50mm required on sides for ventilation. Accepts M4 mounting screws with 165mm horizontal spacing.

Q: Does the relay support remote firmware updates without site visits?
A: Firmware upgrades can be performed remotely via Ethernet connection using PCM600 software, provided cybersecurity policies permit remote access. Alternatively, firmware files can be loaded via front USB port during scheduled maintenance windows.

Q: How does the relay perform under extreme temperature conditions in outdoor substations?
A: The REL670 is rated for -40°C to +70°C ambient operation without derating. For outdoor kiosks in extreme climates, we recommend panel heaters (for sub-zero environments) or forced ventilation (for desert installations above 50°C) to maintain optimal operating conditions.

Ready to Upgrade Your Transmission Protection?

Contact our protection specialists to discuss your specific transmission line configuration, fault study results, and integration requirements. We'll provide customized setting calculations, panel layout recommendations, and project timeline estimates within 24 hours.

Request a Technical Consultation: Share your single-line diagram and protection coordination study, and our engineers will propose an optimized REL670 configuration with preliminary settings and cost estimate.

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