ABB REF601 | CE446BB1NH | Feeder Protection and Control Relay

The REF601 CE446BB1NH is a dedicated feeder protection and control relay designed for the protection, control, measurement, and supervision of utility and industrial power systems. Part of the ABB Relion® product family, the REF601 is specifically optimized for basic incoming and outgoing feeder protection in medium-voltage networks. The “CE446BB1NH” variant configuration identifies specific hardware options including supply voltage, communication protocols, and binary input/output counts tailored for standard switchgear applications.

Product Specifications (Datasheet)

Model Identification Model Name: REF601 Order Code: CE446BB1NH Manufacturer: ABB Series: Relion® 605 series

Protection Functions Non-directional Overcurrent: 3-phase (Low and High set) Earth-fault Protection: Low and High set Thermal Overload Protection: Protects feeder cables and transformers Phase Continuity Supervision: Detects broken conductors

Technical Data Nominal Current (): 1A or 5A (Software selectable) Rated Frequency: 50/60 Hz Auxiliary Power Supply: 24V – 240V AC/DC Binary Inputs: 4 Binary Outputs: 6 (including 1 internal fault)

Physical Attributes Dimensions: 160 mm x 103 mm x 156 mm Weight: 0.95 kg Protection Class: IP54 (Front side) / IP20 (Rear terminals) Mounting: Flush mounting on cabinet doors

Logistics Country of Origin: India / Finland HS Code: 85364900 Communication: Modbus RTU (RS485) / IEC 60870-5-103

Application Fields

The REF601 is primarily utilized for essential protection in power distribution:

  • Secondary Substations: Protecting outgoing feeders in compact switchgear.

  • Industrial Plants: Feeder protection for manufacturing facilities and mining operations.

  • Commercial Buildings: Overcurrent protection for high-rise power distribution panels.

  • Transformer Protection: Back-up protection for small-to-medium power transformers.

Product Instructions

  1. Mounting: Cut the panel door according to the REF601 dimension template. Slide the relay through the cutout and secure it using the side-mounting clamps. Ensure the gasket is properly seated for IP54 protection.

  2. CT Secondary Wiring: Connect the current transformer (CT) secondary leads to the designated terminals. Ensure the polarity (P1/P2) is correct to prevent erroneous tripping during earth-fault sensing.

  3. Powering Up: Verify the auxiliary voltage (24-240V AC/DC) before switching on. The “Ready” LED should turn green. If the “Error” LED flashes, check the internal self-supervision menu for diagnostic codes.

  4. Parameter Setting: Configuration can be done via the front HMI (Liquid Crystal Display) using the navigation keys or via a laptop using the ABB PCM600 tool. Set the (high-set overcurrent) according to your protection coordination study.

  5. Testing: Perform a secondary injection test once a year to verify the trip curves and binary output operation. Use the “Test” menu to simulate a trip without needing an actual fault current.

Q&A – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the REF601 support communication with SCADA? A: Yes. The CE446BB1NH configuration typically includes an RS485 port supporting Modbus RTU, allowing for remote monitoring of currents, trip events, and fault records.

Q: Can I use this relay for motor protection? A: While the REF601 has overcurrent and thermal protection, ABB offers the REM601 specifically for motor applications, which includes additional functions like locked rotor and start-up supervision.

Q: What is the significance of the “NH” at the end of the code? A: This suffix often defines the regional language pack (typically English/Universal) and the standard terminal connection type (Non-Ring lug or specific terminal block style).

Q: How many fault records can the relay store? A: The REF601 can store the last five fault records, including the magnitude of the fault current and the time-stamp of the trip, which are accessible through the front display.

Recommended Similar Models

  • ABB REF601 (CE446BB1NN)

  • ABB REJ601 (Numerical Overcurrent Relay)

  • ABB REF611 (Advanced Feeder Protection)

  • ABB REM601 (Motor Protection Relay)

  • ABB REB611 (Busbar Protection Relay)

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