ABB REM620 Motor Protection Relay IEC 61850

Description

3. Key Technical Specifications

4. Product Introduction & Supply Chain Strategy

The ABB REM620 is a motor protection and control relay designed for medium- and large-scale motors in process industries. It integrates protection, control, measurement, and supervision into a single IED, supporting differential protection, thermal monitoring, and IEC 61850-based substation communication.

From an inventory strategy standpoint, this is a critical protection device with high downtime impact. Maintaining buffer stock (1–2 units per plant) is justified as an insurance policy. New Surplus sourcing reduces Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by avoiding refurbished failure risks and mitigating lead time variability, especially as utilities transition toward newer platforms.

REM620

5. Installation & Configuration Guide

Stage 1: Pre-Installation (Prep & Safety)

• Apply lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) on motor feeder and switchgear.
• Use ESD protection (ground strap mandatory).
• Export relay settings via PCM600 before removal.
• Capture photos of terminal wiring and CT/VT connections.

Stage 2: Removal

• Isolate auxiliary supply (confirm 0 V).
• Withdraw the plug-in relay unit using handles.
• Avoid twisting—maintain straight extraction to protect connector pins.

Stage 3: Installation (Clone & Seat)

• Insert replacement relay into the existing case.
• Restore identical configuration (settings file + communication parameters).
• Verify CT/VT ratios and protection logic alignment.

Stage 4: Power-On & Testing

• Reapply auxiliary power.
• Confirm HMI startup without alarms.
• Validate communication (IEC 61850 / SCADA handshake).
• Perform secondary injection test for protection verification.

6. Firmware/Software Versions & Upgrade Notes

• Recommended Tool: ABB PCM600 (version 2.6 or later for compatibility)
• Connectivity Package: REM620 Connectivity Package v2.1 or later required
• Compatibility Risk: IEC 61850 Edition 2 features may not align with older SCADA systems.
• Upgrade Risk: Moving between firmware generations (e.g., 2.x → FP1 variants) can alter protection logic behavior.
• Best Practice: Clone original relay configuration and firmware baseline before replacement. Avoid forced upgrades during emergency swaps.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Are these REM620 units truly new?
Yes. These are New Surplus units—never installed, never energized in the field, and not refurbished. All connectors and internal components show zero wear.

Q2: Why not use refurbished relays to save cost?
Refurbished relays often have aging internal components. A failure in motor protection can trigger catastrophic equipment damage or plant shutdown. The cost of one failure outweighs the upfront savings.

Q3: Is REM620 obsolete?
It is in a mature lifecycle stage. ABB is promoting newer platforms, so last-time-buy planning and buffer stock strategies are strongly recommended.

Q4: Can I hot-swap the relay?
No. Even though it has a withdrawable design, you must de-energize the system before removal to avoid arc flash or logic faults.

Q5: Does the relay store configuration internally?
Yes, but best practice is to back up settings externally. Always reload verified configuration files after replacement.

Q6: What is the recommended stocking strategy?

• Critical motors: Maintain 1–2 units on-site (buffer stock).
• Multi-site operations: Enable cross-site sharing to reduce capital lock-up.
• Long-term: Evaluate last-time-buy quantities based on installed base.

Q7: What warranty and QC process are included?
Each unit includes a 12month warranty, serial traceability, and full QC validation including communication testing and functional checks.