ABB Arc Flash Protection Portfolio
- Features and Applications
Karl Smith – M.S.E.E, P.E
Product Application Specialist
Overview
• Introduction to ABB arc flash products highlighting
new features and innovations
• Safety culture at ABB followed by a brief tutorial on
arc flash protection
• Product offering and descriptions
• Application examples of REA arc flash protection
system
• Standard pre-configurations and order code
generated drawings for Relion® with arc flash option
ABB Arc Flash Protection Solutions
Relion® family of IEDs
REA - Features and Innovations
•
Protection at the speed of light … Optical arc flash technology and solid state tripping elements using
Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) react instantly (<2.5 ms) to isolate the arc. Advantages are
minimal arc exposure to personnel, equipment damage
•
Patented Sensor fiber can detect light through its entire length making the entire fiber a sensor. The
fiber can be as long 60 metres. Benefits are reduced insulation costs
•
Continuous self-supervision of sensor fiber loops, operating voltages and cabling between main
modules and extension modules makes arc flash protection system more reliable
•
Selectivity… The use of extension units allows the protected area to be expanded and the protected
object to be divided into smaller areas
•
Easy of use… All arc flash modules are settable using switches on the relay front panel. Although the
modules communicate with each other you do not need software to communicate with them
Application for Fast Arc Quenching
Speed and Performance Demo
Proven Track Record
• Over 3,500 REA systems utilizing long fiber-optic
sensor technology have been installed in 36 countries
around the world
City of Richland
Alaska Tanker CO LLC
Nucor Steel
Monsanto Springs
Relion® - Features and Innovations
•
Built in arc flash function available with optional communication
modules. All trip logic is pre-programmed into standard default
configurations. The IED contains 3 light detection channels which can be
used for detecting arcing faults of the circuit breaker, bus bar and cable
compartment of metal enclosed switchgear (uses lens sensors).
•
High speed output contacts (typical operating time is 1ms)… available
with optional binary I/O modules. Recommended for arc flash.
•
Advanced relay technology…The IEDs utilize the most advanced
technology and are highly flexible. Particularly, the native IEC 61850
protocol which is, now more than ever, very easy to configure.
Comparing the Technologies
* Results obtained during KEMA testing
Incident Energy and Clearing Time
Evaluating Arc Flash Options
• Relion® - REF615 for Main and 4 Feeders with arc
flash option and high speed outputs
• REA 10_ (Option A) - REA 101 for main and 4 REA
103 extension units for feeders
• REA 10_ (Option B) - REA 101 for main and 4 REA
105 extension units for feeders (selective
tripping)
The Trade-Off for Speed
Option
Relion® REF615
(with arc flash option and high speed
outputs – lens sensors w/ 5m fiber)
Main - HAFCCCC1FFE1BNN1XE (1)
Feeder - HAFCCCC1FFE1BAN1XE (4)
Relay Operate time
(REA/Relion®)
≈ 6 ms
Price Increase (%) est.
(From Relion® base line*)
50%
(Measurement mode needs to
be set to ‘Peak-to-Peak’)
A - REA 101 (1), REA 103 (4)
< 2.5 ms
64%
B – REA 101(1), REA 105 (4)
< 2.5 ms
66%
* Relion® base line is no added features with exception of reclosing for feeders
Arc Flash Protection is about Safety
• Arc flash poses a significant threat to
individuals who are exposed to live
electrical equipment (typically 480 V and
higher)
• Severe burns, injury and even death can
result
Safety Culture at ABB
• Integral part of value pairs that define
ABB’s behavior and commitment to its
customers, employees, and stakeholders
• Lived every day through our actions and
philosophy “Don’t look the other way”
ABB Value Pairs
• Safety and Integrity
• Customer focus and Quality
• Innovation and Speed
• Ownership and Performance
• Collaboration and Trust
Danger of Arc Flash to Personnel
Arcing Incidences Happen
What is an Arc Flash?
• The result of a rapid release of energy
due to an arcing fault between phases,
neutral or a ground. Air is the conductor
• Can be caused by an object to close to a
conductor or insulation breakdown
How severe is it?
• Heat - Hot gases, melt drops and thermal radiation
may cause damage even farther away (4 times
temperature of the sun)
• Pressure - A rapid temperature rise may lead to a
violent explosion (Copper expands 67,000 times)
• Poison - Toxic chemical compounds may be formed at
high temperatures
When Does It Occur?
Industry Standards
• IEEE Standard 1584-2002 Guide for Performing
Arc Flash Hazard Calculation
• NFPA 70E-2015 Standard for Electrical Safety
Requirements for Employee Workplaces
• OSHA 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part
1910 Subpart S
• NFPA 70-2015 National Electrical Code (NEC)
Mitigation Strategies
Time is a Critical Factor
Time Overcurrent Relays are Slow
Effects of Faster Clearing Times
• Less incident energy developed by arcing fault
current. May decrease arc flash boundary
(approach distance when worker is exposed to
1.2 Cal/cm2)
• May reduce ‘Hazard Risk Category’ (0…4).
Determines requirements for protective clothing
and ‘Personal Protective Equipment’ (PPE)
Incident Energy Calculation
NFPA Hazard Levels
Typical PPE Suit Requirements
Arc Flash Label
REA Family
Central Unit REA 101 - Functions
REA 101 Front Panel
REA 101 Switch Settings
REA 101 Back Panel
REA 101 Connection Diagram
REA 103 - Features
REA 103 – Front Panel
REA 105 - Features
REA 105 – Front Panel
REA 105 – Connection Diagram
REA 107 - Features
REA 107 – Front Panel
REA 107 – Connection Diagram
Optical Fiber Sensors
Optical Lens Sensors
Optolink Communication Fibers
Electrical Connection Cables
Shipping Split Adapters
Application Examples - Objectives
• Minimize incident energy during arcing faults to safe levels
(fast tripping)
• Optimize utilization of power system (selective tripping)
• Evaluate the impact of added incident energy for breaker
failure contingencies if delayed tripping is used.
Example 1
M1/
M1/
(yes)
(no)
M1/
M1/
(No OPTO-LINK)
N/A
CBFP set for Q2
Example 2
M1/
M1/
S3/
S1/
(yes)
(no)
M1/
M1/
(No OPTO-LINK)
S4/
S2/
N/A
CBFP set for Q3 & Q4
Example 3
M2/
M1/
M1/
M2/
S1/
(no)
(no)
CBFP not in use
(no)
(no)
N/A
N/A
M2/
M1/
M1/
M2/
S2/
N/A
N/A
S1 & S2 light
signals sent to M1
Relion® Family
Distribution Relays - 605, 610, 611, 615, 620 (ANSI & IEC) & 630 (IEC only) series
Transmission and Generation Relays - 640, 650 & 670 series
Arc Flash Order Code Options
High Speed Outputs Options
Standard Pre-Configurations
Drawings to Order Code
Oneline
FT-1 Switch Arrangement
AC Schematic
DC Schematic
Connection Diagram – Pre-Wired
Relion® Arc Flash Application
Relion® Arc Flash Application
Thank You
Karl M. Smith, Product Application Specialist
Karl.m.smith@us.abb.com
Office: (954) 825-0613
Cell: (954) 579-8151