Product Overview: The ABB 216BM61B Protection Relay

The ABB 216BM61B is a highly reliable and versatile numerical protection relay, forming a critical component in modern electrical protection schemes. Designed and manufactured by ABB, a global leader in power and automation technologies, this device is engineered to safeguard electrical equipment like motors, transformers, and feeders from a wide range of faults and abnormal operating conditions.

Belonging to a family of compact, multifunctional devices, the 216BM61B replaces older electromechanical and static relays with a superior digital platform. It offers enhanced accuracy, flexible programmability, and advanced self-monitoring features, making it an ideal choice for upgrading existing switchgear or integrating into new panel designs for industrial plants, commercial buildings, and utility substations.

This product page serves as your ultimate guide, providing in-depth technical specifications, application notes, and expert insights to help you specify, install, and maintain the ABB 216BM61B relay with confidence.

Key Features and Benefits of the ABB 216BM61B

• Multifunctional Protection: Integrates multiple protection functions into a single unit, reducing panel space and cost.

• Numerical Technology: High accuracy and stability due to digital signal processing, immune to component aging and temperature drift.

• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive front-panel interface with a clear display and simple navigation keys for easy configuration and monitoring.

• Flexible Communication Options: Often equipped with communication ports (like RS485) supporting protocols such as Modbus RTU, enabling seamless integration into SCADA and DCS systems.

• Robust Construction: Built to withstand the harsh electromagnetic interference (EMI) and vibration typical in industrial environments.

• Comprehensive Metering: Provides real-time measurement of current, voltage, power, and energy, offering valuable operational data.

• Event Recording: Captures time-stamped records of faults, trips, and setting changes for simplified diagnostics and post-event analysis.

Detailed Technical Specifications

The following table outlines the comprehensive technical specifications for the ABB 216BM61B relay. Always refer to the official datasheet for the specific variant.

In-Depth Functional Description

Core Protection Philosophy

The ABB 216BM61B is a microprocessor-based relay that continuously samples the three-phase and earth-fault currents from its connected Current Transformers (CTs). It digitizes these signals and processes them using advanced algorithms to derive true RMS values and compare them against user-defined setpoints.

Key Protection Elements in Detail:

1. Overcurrent Protection (ANSI 50/51):

   • Instantaneous Overcurrent (50): Operates with no intentional time delay when the current exceeds a high setpoint. Used for clearing severe faults rapidly.

   • Time Overcurrent (51): Provides a time-delayed trip based on the magnitude of the overcurrent. The relay offers standard Inverse, Very Inverse, and Extremely Inverse curves to ensure selective coordination with upstream and downstream fuses or relays.

2. Earth-Fault Protection (ANSI 50N/51N):

   • Protects against insulation failures to earth. It can be more sensitive than phase overcurrent protection, detecting low-level fault currents that could otherwise go unnoticed and cause damage over time.

3. Thermal Overload Protection (ANSI 49):

   • Uses a sophisticated mathematical model to calculate the heating of a motor or cable based on measured current. It accounts for pre-load conditions and provides alarm and trip signals before the equipment's thermal limit is exceeded. This function also includes a thermal memory feature that simulates cooling.
     
     

Advanced Features

• Programmable Logic (PLC): Unlike simple relays, the 216BM61B allows users to create custom logic using its binary inputs and output relays. This can be used to create interlocking schemes, sequence control, or complex alarm conditions without external hardware.

• Metering and Data Logging: The relay acts as a multi-meter, providing essential data for energy management and operational visibility. The event recorder, with a time-stamp resolution of 1 ms, is invaluable for determining the sequence of events during a network disturbance.

• Communication Capability: Integration via Modbus allows for remote monitoring of real-time values, remote setting changes, and retrieval of fault records, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing downtime.

Typical Applications

The versatility of the ABB 216BM61B makes it suitable for a wide array of applications:

• Industrial Motor Protection: Comprehensive protection for critical AC motors in pumps, fans, compressors, and conveyors against overload, phase unbalance, stalling, and earth faults.

• Feeder Protection: Protecting incoming and outgoing distribution feeders in switchgear, Motor Control Centers (MCCs), and LV/MV substations.

• Transformer Protection: Serving as a cost-effective solution for the backup overcurrent and earth-fault protection of distribution transformers.

• Generator Protection: Providing basic overcurrent and negative sequence protection for smaller generator sets.

• Capacitor Bank Protection: Guarding against overcurrents and unbalance in power factor correction systems.

Installation, Wiring, and Commissioning Guide

Mounting Instructions

1. Panel Cutout: Prepare a standard rectangular cutout in the panel door or chassis as per the dimensional drawing provided in the manual.

2. Insertion and Securing: Insert the relay from the front of the panel. Secure it in place using the mounting clips or screws provided on the sides of the relay. Ensure a firm fit without over-tightening.

Wiring Guidelines

• CT Circuit: Connect the secondary wires from the three-phase and earth-fault Current Transformers to the designated current input terminals. Crucially, the CT secondary circuit must never be open-circuited while the primary is energized. Use test switches or shorting terminals if provided.

• Auxiliary Supply: Connect the rated control power (e.g., 110V DC) to the specified Us+ and Us- terminals. Ensure the polarity is correct for DC supplies.

• Binary Inputs: Connect external dry contacts (e.g., from a circuit breaker auxiliary switch) to the binary input terminals and the common BI+ terminal to monitor statuses.

• Output Relays: Connect the trip output relay in series with the circuit breaker's trip coil and the control supply. Other output relays can be used for alarms, indicator lights, or auto-reclose initiation.

• Communication Wiring: For RS485 communication, use a shielded, twisted-pair cable. Connect the A, B, and GND terminals correctly across all devices on the network and terminate the bus ends with a 120-ohm resistor to prevent signal reflections.

Commissioning and Testing

1. Visual Inspection and Insulation Test: Check for damage. Perform an insulation resistance test between all connected terminals and earth.

2. Secondary Injection Test: This is the primary method for testing. Use a modern relay test set to inject calibrated currents and voltages into the relay.

   • Verify Settings: Test the pick-up and drop-off values for all protection functions (e.g., Instantaneous Overcurrent, Thermal).

   • Timing Test: Inject a fault current and measure the operating time of the time-delayed functions to ensure they match the configured characteristic curve.

3. Functional Tests: Check the operation of all binary inputs and output relays by physically activating them and monitoring the relay's response.

4. Setting Verification: Before energizing the primary circuit, have a second qualified person review all setting parameters against the protection coordination study.

Comparison with Electromechanical Relays

While the ABB 216BM61B may be used as a replacement for older relays like the SPAC series, it offers significant advantages:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the full manufacturer part number for 216BM61B?
A: The ordering code 216BM61B is the primary identifier. The manufacturer's internal part number might be a longer code like HESG324014R1 or similar, which is used for ABB's internal logistics. For ordering, always use 216BM61B.

Q2: Where can I find the manual and software for the ABB 216BM61B?
A: The manual can be found on the official ABB website by searching for "SPAJ 110 C" or the specific product series. The configuration software (e.g., ABB PCM600 or a specific tool for the product family) is also available through ABB's support portal or your local ABB distributor.

Q3: Can this relay be used for a 5A or 1A CT system?
A: Yes, but the specific relay variant must be ordered for the correct rated input current (1A or 5A). This is a fixed hardware setting and cannot be changed in the field. Check the nameplate of your unit to confirm.

Q4: How do I reset the relay after a trip?
A: The relay can be reset in several ways: manually via the front-panel button, remotely via a binary input, or automatically after a configurable delay. The "trip" signal will latch until a reset command is received.

Q5: Is the ABB 216BM61B still a current product?
A: ABB's product lines evolve. The 216BM61B is a well-established and widely used model. While it may be in a mature phase, it is fully supported by ABB and its global distributor network. For new projects, it's always advisable to check with ABB for any direct replacements or next-generation models.

Conclusion & Call to Action

The ABB 216BM61B represents the intelligent backbone of modern electrical protection. Its blend of robust protection, advanced monitoring, and communication capabilities makes it a cost-effective and future-proof solution for a multitude of applications. By choosing this relay, you are investing in the safety of your personnel, the reliability of your electrical network, and the longevity of your valuable assets.

Ready to Enhance Your Protection Scheme?

Contact us today for a competitive price, stock availability, and expert technical support for the ABB 216BM61B relay. We are a trusted supplier of ABB products and can assist you with configuration, sourcing, and after-sales support.