ABB has launched the Relay Retrofit Program to replace certain SPACOM protection relays with the latest protection and control technology REX610. The REX610 all-in-one protection relay is designed to adapt to the needs of evolving electrical grids; which makes it a flexible, sustainable and future-proof choice.
For customers, this means longer board life, full availability of relay lifecycle services, and the ability to tailor the power protection system to meet new requirements. The ABB Relay Retrofit Program covers the entire replacement process, from engineering and installation to testing.
Since the 1980s, ABB has installed more than 700 SPACOM relays used worldwide for power system protection and reliable power system operation. As the old generation relays are obsolete, ABB is actively developing new technology and expanding its service portfolio to replace installed SPACOM relay types with REX610 relays.
The REX610 is the first all-in-one protection relay to support all basic power distribution applications with just six variants, making it easy to order, install, use and service. This relay can be easily adapted throughout its lifetime to meet changing requirements for protection, communication and networking.
Wanting to help customers modernize their protection and control systems, ABB's new Relay Retrofit Program offers a simplified transition from SPACOM relays to the REX610 to further increase the reliability of the energy source and increase productivity and efficiency.
“We know that maximizing operational uptime, uninterrupted power, and the safety of both their employees and equipment is critical to our customers. Choosing this program not only means embracing the latest technology for enhanced functionality, reliability and safety, it also extends the life of a switchboard and offers the opportunity to adapt the power protection system to meet new requirements," says Paresh Mandpe, Global Product Manager for Electrification Service.
“The Relay Retrofit Program is designed to allow customers to plan and execute retrofit projects incrementally, ensuring timely replacement and minimizing downtime in generation or power distribution processes. Also, since SPACOM relays and REX610 have the same dimensions, installation is quick, saving customers both time and money.
The new program includes a quick and simplified setup process that includes a configuration template that allows REX610 relay configurations to match each SPACOM relay default configuration. In addition, the new assembly equipment has pre-wired terminals to minimize the need for rewiring and therefore updating existing wiring diagrams.
The Retrofit Program from SPACOM to the REX610 relays is the newest addition to ABB's service offering. It covers the entire replacement process, with ABB experts providing holistic expert advice, tools and accessories throughout the engineering, installation and testing phases of the project.
REX610 relays offer the equivalent functionality of SPACOM relays with the possibility to configure additional protection functions. Since the REX610 fully supports the IEC 61850 standard for communication and interoperability of substation automation devices, the program also offers the opportunity to upgrade the entire communication system to better meet today's protection and communication requirements.
The REX610 features fully modular hardware and a wide range of default functionality with optional add-on access to ABB Ability™ Backup Management – Data Care for Electrical systems, a web-based data sharing and backup service where all firmware updates will also be accessible. This enables easy sharing of technical information from secure online storage and protection relays.
You can learn more about the Relay Retrofit Program from SPACOM to the REX610 via this video explaining the replacement process and the ABB website.