ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE

Description

Detailed parameter table

ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE

Product introduction

The ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE is a versatile feeder protection relay designed for the reliable protection and control of medium-voltage distribution feeders in utility networks, industrial plants, and renewable energy installations. As a key product in ABB’s Network Protection & Control series, this relay combines comprehensive protection functions with flexible communication capabilities, making it suitable for both traditional and smart grid applications.

Equipped with advanced protection algorithms, the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE provides multi-stage overcurrent and earth fault protection, with directional elements to ensure selective tripping in meshed networks. Its adaptive settings allow customization for different feeder types, including overhead lines, underground cables, and capacitor banks, ensuring optimal performance in diverse operating conditions.

Within distribution networks, the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE acts as a critical safety barrier, detecting faults such as short circuits and ground faults and isolating faulty sections to prevent widespread outages. Its communication capabilities enable remote monitoring and control, integrating seamlessly with SCADA systems to provide operators with real-time feeder status and fault information—essential for maintaining network reliability and reducing outage durations.

Core advantages and technical highlights

Selective protection coordination: The ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE features time-graded overcurrent and earth fault protection with adjustable curves (IEC, ANSI, or user-defined), enabling precise coordination with upstream and downstream devices. This selectivity ensures that only the smallest possible section of the network is isolated during a fault, minimizing service disruptions. The directional earth fault function further enhances selectivity in looped networks, preventing false tripping during faults on parallel feeders.

Wide operating range: Designed to thrive in harsh environments, the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE operates reliably from -25°C to 70°C, making it suitable for deployment in remote substations with extreme temperature variations. Its flexible power supply (24V DC / 110V DC / 220V DC) ensures compatibility with diverse substation battery systems, while its IP54 front panel protection safeguards against dust and water ingress in outdoor installations.

Seamless communication integration: Supporting IEC 60870-5-103, Modbus RTU, and DNP3.0 protocols, the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE integrates easily with existing SCADA and substation automation systems. This connectivity enables remote configuration, fault data retrieval, and control operations, reducing the need for on-site visits and improving maintenance efficiency. The optical fiber port provides isolated communication, protecting against electromagnetic interference in high-voltage environments.

Advanced fault recording: The ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE incorporates a built-in fault recorder that captures pre-fault and post-fault waveforms (up to 10 cycles) with 16 samples per cycle. This detailed data helps engineers analyze fault causes, verify protection operation, and optimize network design. The relay stores up to 50 event records with time stamps (resolution 1ms), supporting comprehensive network diagnostics and compliance reporting.

Typical application scenarios

In urban distribution networks, the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE protects 11kV-35kV feeders supplying residential and commercial areas. Its directional earth fault protection prevents false tripping during faults on adjacent feeders in meshed networks, while its time-graded overcurrent settings coordinate with downstream distribution transformers. The relay’s DNP3.0 communication connects to the utility SCADA system, enabling remote fault location and accelerating service restoration.

Within industrial plants, the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE safeguards medium-voltage feeders supplying critical equipment such as motors, compressors, and furnaces. Its thermal overload protection prevents damage to cables and transformers during extended overloads, while programmable output contacts trigger local alarms or PLC interlocks to shut down non-essential loads. The Modbus RTU interface integrates with the plant DCS, providing real-time feeder status for production planning.

In renewable energy installations, such as solar farms or wind parks, the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE protects the medium-voltage collection feeders connecting generation units to the grid. It detects islanding conditions and overcurrent events caused by inverter faults, disconnecting the feeder from the grid to comply with grid codes. The relay’s wide temperature range ensures reliable operation in outdoor switchgear exposed to extreme weather conditions.

ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE

Related model recommendations

ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AG: A variant of the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE with IEC 61850 communication, designed for digital substation environments.

ABB REX640: A bay controller that works with the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE to provide advanced feeder automation and control in smart grids.

ABB SPACOM S200: A communication converter that enables the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE to interface with IEC 61850 systems via its existing protocols.

ABB T2N: A series of medium-voltage circuit breakers compatible with the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE, where the relay’s output contacts trigger breaker tripping.

ABB CT-1000: Current transformers (5A secondary) optimized for use with the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE to ensure measurement accuracy.

ABB RET650: A transformer protection relay that coordinates with the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE to protect distribution transformers fed by the feeder.

Installation, commissioning and maintenance instructions

Installation preparation: Before installing the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE, ensure the panel cutout matches the 144mm × 144mm dimensions and the mounting surface is flat and grounded. Verify the operating voltage matches the substation battery system (24V DC / 110V DC / 220V DC) and that current/voltage transformers are correctly sized and wired with proper polarity. Required tools include a torque screwdriver (0.5-1.2 Nm), wire strippers, and a multi-function tester. Use shielded twisted-pair cables for communication lines, with shields grounded at the relay end.

Maintenance suggestions: Inspect the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE annually for loose connections, dust accumulation, or signs of corrosion; clean the front panel with a dry cloth and check terminal screws for tightness. Test protection functions semi-annually using a relay test set to verify time-current curves and trip values match settings. Download and archive fault records quarterly to analyze network performance trends. Calibrate the relay every 5 years to maintain measurement accuracy. Ensure firmware is updated to the latest version using ABB’s protection software to access performance improvements.

Service and guarantee commitment

The ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE comes with a 5-year warranty from the date of commissioning, covering manufacturing defects and ensuring compliance with published protection specifications. ABB guarantees replacement of faulty units within 72 hours for critical applications, minimizing downtime in distribution networks.

Technical support includes access to ABB’s global team of protection engineers, available 24/7 for assistance with setting calculations, coordination studies, and troubleshooting. Online resources include detailed application guides, setting software, and firmware updates specific to the ABB REL551 1MRK002480-AE. Customers can opt for extended service contracts offering annual preventive maintenance, on-site testing, and protection coordination reviews, ensuring the relay delivers reliable performance throughout its 20-year design lifespan.