Relion 605 Series
ABB Relion 605 Series Protection Relays
When compact and straightforward protection is required for standard feeder or motor applications, the ABB Relion 605 Series provides ready-made REF601 and REM601 configurations with RS485 communication.
About this product
ABB Relion 605 Series provides compact, application-specific protection for standard medium-voltage feeder and motor duties. The Forvis Trade scope covers two models — REF601 for feeder protection and REM601 for asynchronous motor protection — both built on ready-made application configurations that simplify selection, settings, and commissioning.
Platform structure
- REF601: feeder protection for utility substations, secondary distribution systems, and industrial feeders.
- REM601: motor protection for medium- and low-voltage asynchronous motors controlled by a circuit breaker or contactor.
Both models share the same compact case and ready-made configuration approach; what differs is the protection function set for each application.
Model selection
REF601 fits applications needing essential protection, control, and monitoring without the complexity of a full Ethernet-based automation platform — depending on the selected version, functions include phase overcurrent (50/51), earth-fault (50N/51N), thermal overload (49), negative-sequence overcurrent (46), breaker failure (50BF), auto-reclosing (79), master trip and lockout (94/86), circuit-breaker control, trip-circuit supervision, and event recording. It suits radial feeders, distribution transformer feeders, compact secondary substations, and retrofit projects where RS485 communication is sufficient — Modbus RTU or IEC 60870-5-103 are available depending on the selected version.
REM601 fits medium- and low-voltage asynchronous motors needing phase overcurrent (50/51), earth-fault (50N/51N), thermal overload (49M), negative-sequence current (46), undercurrent (37), locked-rotor and start-up supervision (48/51LR), and starts-per-hour supervision (66). It's a fit for pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors, and other standard industrial drives where a compact protection package and straightforward commissioning are priorities.
Typical applications
- Radial feeders and distribution transformer feeders
- Compact secondary substations
- Retrofit projects where RS485 communication is sufficient
- Pumps, fans, compressors, and conveyors
- Other standard industrial motor drives
Selection and modernization
The 605 Series should be selected when the application requires essential protection, compact construction, and serial communication. Projects requiring IEC 61850, advanced bay control, extensive measurement, arc protection, or a wider application scope should be evaluated against ABB Relion 615 Series or REX615. Product availability, input type, and communication option must be confirmed against the exact order code before quotation.
Technical Specifications
| Applications | Basic feeder and asynchronous motor protection in primary and secondary distribution |
| Platform | Compact application-specific Relion 605 Series platform |
| Communication | RS485; Modbus RTU or IEC 60870-5-103 depending on version |
| IEC 61850 | Not supported |
| Sensor Support | Conventional current transformer or sensor inputs depending on relay version |
| Arc-Flash Protection | Not included as a shared family function |
| Mounting | Compact flush-mounted relay with removable terminals |
| Engineering Software | Local HMI and product-specific setting tools |
| Product Status | Established compact platform; availability to be confirmed for each project |
Model Selection
| Model | Product structure | Main application | Key differentiator | Selection note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REF601 | Compact application-specific feeder protection relay | Feeder protection | Essential feeder protection with CT or Rogowski-type current sensor inputs depending on configuration | Should be selected for feeders where IEC 61850 is not required and compact mounting with serial communication is sufficient |
| REM601 | Compact application-specific motor protection relay | Asynchronous motor protection | Motor thermal model, starting supervision, locked-rotor, unbalance and undercurrent protection | Should be selected for pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors and similar standard motor drives requiring compact protection |
Hardware and Integration
| Model | Measurement inputs | Digital I/O | Sensor support | IEC 61850 | Special functions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REF601 | 3-phase CT (1 A/5 A) or Rogowski-coil current sensors | 4 BI; 6 BO (2 power, 4 signal) | Conventional CT (1 A/5 A) or Rogowski-coil current sensors | No | Two setting groups, trip-circuit supervision and transformer inrush detection depending on configuration |
| REM601 | 3-phase CT (1 A/5 A) or Rogowski-coil current sensors | 4 BI; 6 BO (2 power, 4 signal) | Conventional CT (1 A/5 A) or Rogowski-coil current sensors | No | Circuit-breaker or contactor-controlled motor applications |
Protection Functions
| Model | Protection scope | Main functions |
|---|---|---|
| REF601 | Essential overcurrent, earth-fault and feeder control functions | 50/51, 50N/51N, 49, 46, 50BF, 79, 94/86 |
| REM601 | Essential electrical and thermal motor protection | 50/51, 50N/51N, 49M, 46, 37, 48/51LR, 66 |
Ordering Options
| Article Code | Hardware Class | Main Application | Protection Scope | Protection Functions | Measurement Inputs | Digital Inputs and Outputs | Sensor Support | Communication | IEC 61850 | Arc-Flash Protection | Mounting | Special Functions | Product Status | selection differentiator | selection note | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REF601 | Compact application-specific feeder protection relay | Feeder protection | Essential overcurrent, earth-fault and feeder control functions | 50/51, 50N/51N, 49, 46, 50BF, 79, 94/86 | 3-phase CT (1 A/5 A) or Rogowski-coil current sensors | 4 BI; 6 BO (2 power, 4 signal) | Conventional CT (1 A/5 A) or Rogowski-coil current sensors | RS485; Modbus RTU or IEC 60870-5-103 | No | No | Flush mounted | Two setting groups, trip-circuit supervision and transformer inrush detection depending on configuration | Availability to be confirmed | Essential feeder protection with CT or Rogowski-type current sensor inputs depending on configuration | Should be selected for feeders where IEC 61850 is not required and compact mounting with serial communication is sufficient | |
| REM601 | Compact application-specific motor protection relay | Asynchronous motor protection | Essential electrical and thermal motor protection | 50/51, 50N/51N, 49M, 46, 37, 48/51LR, 66 | 3-phase CT (1 A/5 A) or Rogowski-coil current sensors | 4 BI; 6 BO (2 power, 4 signal) | Conventional CT (1 A/5 A) or Rogowski-coil current sensors | RS485; protocol depends on version | No | No | Flush mounted | Circuit-breaker or contactor-controlled motor applications | Availability to be confirmed | Motor thermal model, starting supervision, locked-rotor, unbalance and undercurrent protection | Should be selected for pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors and similar standard motor drives requiring compact protection |
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