ABB SPAJ140

ABB SPAJ140

Product Brief:​ The SPAJ140 is ABB’s classic SPA-series numerical protection relay​ (introduced 1990s, still supported for existing plants though RELION REF615 is the modern replacement). It provides:

  • Phase Overcurrent (51):​ 3-phase, inverse / very inverse / extremely inverse / definite time curves
  • Earth (Ground) Fault (51N):​ Residual (3I0) or core-balance CT; pick-up 10–200 %In; sensitive for compensated networks
  • Directional Earth Fault (51N/67N — SPAJ140C only):​ Polarized with V0 (or –V0 for compensated nets)
  • Optional Voltage Functions (on -C with VT):​ Undervoltage (27) supervised OC, VT fuse fail
  • Breaker Failure (50BF)​ — simple monitor
  • Disturbance / Event Log:​ Limited (earlier generation — no COMTRADE; ASCII event log via serial port)
  • Communication:​ RS-232/485 (SPA-bus protocol — for local PC with SPAsoft or early SCADA via protocol converter); NO IEC 61850 / DNP3 native (requires gateway)

    It is DIN-rail or panel-mount (half-19″ 2U or 4U case), with a small LCD + keypad for local setting & fault recall.

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Category: SKU: ABB SPAJ140

Description

ABB SPAJ140

  • Technical Specifications (typical SPAJ140 / 140C):
    • Current Inputs: 3 × phase CT (1 A / 5 A), 1 × residual / core-balance CT (I0); burden ≤0.1 VA @1A
    • Voltage Inputs: None (SPAJ140) / 3 × phase VT 100 V + Vn (SPAJ140C with voltage option)
    • Protection Functions: 51, 51N (67N on -C), 27 (opt), 50BF (basic), VTFF (opt)
    • Binary Inputs: 4–6 (Ext Trip Block, Test, Local/Remote — wet 110/220 V DC or dry 24 V DC)
    • Binary Outputs: 4–6 — Trip ×2 (redundant), Alarm, Healthy / Operate
    • Trip Contact Rating: 5 A @ 250 V AC / 30 V DC
    • Display: 2×16 alphanumeric LCD + LEDs + keypad
    • Power Supply: 24/48/110/220 V DC or 230 V AC (model dependent)
    • Operating Temp.: –20 °C to +55 °C
    • Case: DIN-rail compact (≈105×90×75 mm) or panel ½-19″ (≈220×132×180 mm)
    • Engineering: SPAsoft(DOS/Windows early tool) via front port or RS-485
    • Certifications: IEC 60255, KEMA type-tested
  • Functional Features:
    • Dual setting groups (via DI or comms)
    • Cold-load pick-up for thermal imitation (simplified vs. true 49)
    • Local fault recall — shows pick-up current, operate time, fault type on LCD
    • Password protection for setting changes
    • Self-supervision & watchdog
  • Application Scenarios:
    • 3–33 kV MV feeder OC & EF protection (radial / loop)
    • Transformer LV side OC+EF (no diff — that’s RET540/RET620)
    • Industrial plant outgoing feeder where IEC 61850 not yet required (legacy plant)
    • Retrofit / spare-for-existing SPA-installations (new projects → REF615)
  • Material & Structure:
    • Housing: Flame-retardant ABS/PC (DIN version) or sheet steel (panel); front Lexan window
    • Terminals: Plug-in screw / spring-cage CT/VT/BI/BO — keyed (some versions)
    • Internal: 16-bit A/D, 8-bit MCU (early gen), RTC backed by supercap
  • Working Principle (same OC/EF as REF615 but less features):
    • CT sampled → RMS computed → compared to pick-up × Time Dial curve → trip if persist beyond time
    • Residual I0 = ΣIa+Ib+Ic (or core-balance CT) → EF pick-up; if directional EF enabled → check ∠(I0,V0) inside sector
    • On trip → close Trip relay contact → breaker trips
    • Event log stores last N trips (current, time, type)
  • Installation Requirements:
    1. Mount DIN-rail or panel — leave rear access for CT/VT wiring
    2. Wire CT secondaries with correct polarity — short CTs before disconnecting relay
    3. If VT version (-C): wire VT fused (0.5 A HRC)
    4. Connect DC supply & PE
    5. Wire BI (52a/b, Ext Block) & BO (Trip in series with breaker coil + anti-pump; Alarm/Healthy to SCADA)
    6. Connect PC via front RS-232 → SPAsoft → enter CT/VT ratios, pick-up, TMS, EF sensitivity, DI/BO assignment
    7. Perform secondary injection test (OC pick-up & timing, EF pick-up, directional polar plot if -C) → verify before live close
    8. After test → authorize service
  • Precautions:
    • CT Safety:​ NEVER open energized CT — lethal HV & CT damage. Short CT secondaries with test link until relay connected & verified.
    • VT Polarity (SPAJ140C):​ Reversed VT → directional EF mis-operates — verify during secondary injection.
    • Settings:​ Must be reviewed by protection engineer; retain printed settings with relay serial # & FW ver.
    • Legacy Product:​ SPA series is in limited / lifecycle / obsolete status​ in many regions — spares kept for existing plants; new designs should use REF615 (IEC 61850, better disturbance recording, GOOSE).
    • No IEC 61850:​ If plant requires IEC 61850 — this relay cannot provide it — use REF615 or RET615.

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