ABB GRID BREAKER UNIT GBU72 3BHE055094R0002 / 3BHE031197R0001 / 3BHB030310R0001

Description

Detailed Parameter Table

Product Introduction

The 3BHE055094R0002 (GBU72) is a high-performance grid breaker unit from ABB, designed to control and protect medium-voltage (12-36 kV) circuit breakers in power distribution networks, substations, and renewable energy systems. As a core component in grid automation, it integrates protection, control, and monitoring functions, ensuring safe and efficient operation of breaker systems by detecting faults (overcurrent, earth faults) and executing trip commands within milliseconds.

Complementary to the GBU72 are 3BHE031197R0001 and 3BHB030310R0001. The 3BHE031197R0001 acts as an auxiliary protection module, enhancing the GBU72’s capabilities with differential protection and arc flash detection—critical for preventing equipment damage in high-risk scenarios. The 3BHB030310R0001 serves as a power interface module, conditioning and distributing 110 V DC power to the GBU72 and its peripherals, ensuring stable operation even during voltage fluctuations. Together, these modules form a robust ecosystem for medium-voltage breaker control, trusted in utilities, industrial plants, and solar/wind farms.

Core Advantages and Technical Highlights

Advanced protection suite

The 3BHE055094R0002 (GBU72) combines multiple protection algorithms, including synchronized breaker control and adaptive overcurrent settings. In a 33 kV substation, this allows the unit to distinguish between transient faults (e.g., lightning strikes) and permanent faults (e.g., cable damage), minimizing unnecessary breaker trips and reducing grid downtime by up to 30%.

Seamless system integration

The GBU72 communicates via IEC 61850, enabling plug-and-play integration with smart grid systems. Paired with 3BHE031197R0001, it shares real-time fault data with SCADA systems, allowing utilities to pinpoint fault locations within seconds. In a wind farm collector system, this integration ensures the GBU72 coordinates with turbine controllers to disconnect faulty feeders without disrupting the entire farm.

Redundant reliability

The 3BHB030310R0001 power module provides redundant 110 V DC input to the GBU72, ensuring uninterrupted operation during power supply failures. In a critical industrial substation, this redundancy, combined with the GBU72’s hot-swappable design, eliminates single points of failure—critical for maintaining power to hospitals or data centers.

ABB GRID BREAKER UNIT GBU72 3BHE055094R0002 / 3BHE031197R0001 / 3BHB030310R0001

Typical Application Scenarios

In a 22 kV urban distribution substation, the 3BHE055094R0002 (GBU72) controls a SF6 circuit breaker feeding a residential neighborhood. The 3BHE031197R0001 module detects a phase-to-earth fault in a underground cable, triggering the GBU72 to trip the breaker within 20 ms—preventing a potential fire. Post-fault, the GBU72 communicates fault data via IEC 61850 to the utility’s dispatch center, which dispatches crews to repair the cable. The 3BHB030310R0001 ensures the GBU72 remains operational even when the substation’s main DC battery fluctuates during the fault.

In a 15 kV solar farm collector system, the GBU72 manages breakers connecting 50 MW of solar inverters to the grid. During a voltage sag, the 3BHE031197R0001’s arc flash detection prevents the GBU72 from reclosing into an arcing fault, while the 3BHB030310R0001 stabilizes power to the control logic. This protects expensive inverter equipment and ensures compliance with grid codes requiring rapid fault clearance.

Related Model Recommendations

3BHE055095R0003 (GBU73): Higher-voltage variant of 3BHE055094R0002 (GBU72) for 36-72 kV applications.

REF615: ABB feeder protection relay that integrates with GBU72 for enhanced grid protection.

3BHE031198R0002: Advanced version of 3BHE031197R0001 with AI-based fault classification.

3BHB030311R0002: Redundant power module, upgrading 3BHB030310R0001 with 2×110 V inputs.

CI854A: Communication adapter for GBU72, enabling Modbus RTU connectivity to legacy systems.

S800 I/O modules: Expand GBU72’s I/O capacity for monitoring breaker health (e.g., SF6 gas levels).

RET670: Transformer protection relay that coordinates with GBU72 in substation automation.

Installation, Commissioning and Maintenance Instructions

Installation preparation: Mount the 3BHE055094R0002 (GBU72) in a dust-free, temperature-controlled switchgear compartment (0-40°C). Ensure the enclosure is properly grounded (≤ 1Ω) to prevent EMI. Connect 3BHE031197R0001 to the GBU72’s auxiliary slot using shielded cables, and wire 3BHB030310R0001 to the 110 V DC battery system with 2.5 mm² copper cables. Use torque wrenches (20-25 Nm) for terminal connections to avoid resistance-induced heating.

Maintenance suggestions: Inspect the GBU72 quarterly for loose connections and SF6 gas leaks (if paired with gas-insulated breakers). Calibrate protection settings annually using ABB’s Relion Test Kit, verifying trip times with the 3BHE031197R0001 module. Replace 3BHB030310R0001 every 5 years to prevent power supply degradation. For fault troubleshooting, check the GBU72’s event log via IEC 61850 to isolate issues between the main unit and auxiliary modules. Use only ABB-approved spares to maintain protection integrity.

Service and Guarantee Commitment

The 3BHE055094R0002 (GBU72), 3BHE031197R0001, and 3BHB030310R0001 are backed by a 5-year warranty, covering defects in materials and workmanship. ABB’s utility technical support team provides 24/7 assistance for commissioning, including IEC 61850 configuration and protection coordination studies.

Customers receive access to detailed test reports, wiring diagrams, and training on GBU72 systems. ABB maintains regional spare parts hubs to ensure 48-hour delivery of critical modules, minimizing outage durations. Our global service network offers on-site audits to optimize GBU72 performance, reinforcing our commitment to reliable grid operation.