ABB RET670 | Line Differential Protection Relay | Active Product Selection & Performance Advantage

The ABB RET670 represents a significant evolution over previous-generation relays, offering measurable improvements in both protection performance and engineering efficiency. Its high-speed analog-to-digital conversion—sampling at up to 48 points per power cycle—enables more accurate phasor estimation and faster tripping during high-impedance faults, which are notoriously difficult to detect. Compared to legacy electromechanical or early digital relays, the RET670 reduces fault clearance time by up to 30%, enhancing system stability during disturbances.

A key differentiator is its native, full-scope implementation of IEC 61850 Edition 2, including sampled values (SV) and GOOSE messaging. This eliminates the need for external protocol converters or merging units in many applications, simplifying architecture and reducing hardware count. The built-in advanced fault locator provides precise distance-to-fault data, accelerating line crew dispatch and minimizing outage duration—a critical advantage for utilities managing large networks.

From a total cost of ownership (TCO) perspective, the RET670 delivers substantial savings. Its unified engineering environment (via PCM600 or ABB Ability™ Engineering) allows configuration, testing, and documentation to be completed in a single workflow, cutting commissioning time by an estimated 40%. Furthermore, integrated cybersecurity features meet NERC CIP and EU NIS2 requirements out of the box, avoiding costly retrofits later. For projects involving renewables or microgrids, its adaptive protection algorithms automatically adjust settings based on grid topology changes, ensuring reliability without manual intervention.

The RET670 is engineered for seamless integration into modern digital substations and enterprise-wide asset management systems. It is configured and maintained using ABB’s PCM600 or the cloud-enabled ABB Ability™ Engineering Base, platforms that support standardized SCL (Substation Configuration Language) files, enabling true “configure once, deploy anywhere” workflows. These tools also provide automated test sequences and version-controlled configuration backups, significantly reducing human error during maintenance.

On the network side, the relay supports dual Ethernet interfaces with optional PRP (Parallel Redundancy Protocol) or HSR (High-availability Seamless Redundancy), ensuring zero packet loss during network failures—essential for mission-critical protection schemes. It communicates natively with SCADA via IEC 61850 MMS or DNP3.0, and can publish real-time event data to enterprise historians or cloud analytics platforms using MQTT or OPC UA over TLS, facilitating predictive maintenance and grid analytics.

In terms of scalability, a single RET670 can replace multiple discrete devices (e.g., distance relay + fault locator + meter), consolidating panel space and wiring. It supports up to 16 configurable logic equations for custom interlocking or automation, and its modular I/O options (via add-on modules like RIO600) allow field expansion without replacing the base unit. For large-scale deployments, ABB offers fleet-wide configuration templates and remote firmware management through ABB Ability™ Asset Suite, enabling consistent policy enforcement across hundreds of relays from a central console. This combination of interoperability, future-proof communication, and lifecycle manageability makes the RET670 a strategic choice for utilities investing in resilient, intelligent grid infrastructure.