Description

The ABB SPIET800 is a compact, industrial-grade Ethernet communication module designed to modernize legacy ABB SPA and SPAC series protection relays—such as the SPAJ110. SPAM150. and SPAU120—by enabling seamless integration into today’s digital substation and SCADA architectures. Acting as a protocol gateway and data concentrator, the SPIET800 converts traditional serial (RS485) signals into standard Ethernet protocols like Modbus TCP, DNP3. and IEC 60870-5-104. while also offering optional IEC 61850 mapping, transforming decades-old electromechanical-style relays into smart, remotely monitorable assets.

Application Scenarios

At a regional utility in Sweden, over 200 aging substations relied on ABB SPAJ110 and SPAM150 relays—reliable but invisible to the central SCADA system. Manual truck rolls for status checks cost €120.000 annually and delayed fault response. The utility deployed the ABB SPIET800 at each site, connecting up to 16 relays per unit via RS485 daisy chains and linking them to the control center over fiber Ethernet. Within three months, all relay alarms, trip events, and operational statuses were visible in real time. During a winter storm, operators remotely diagnosed a feeder ground fault from 150 km away—cutting outage duration by 65%. In this transformation, the SPIET800 didn’t replace legacy hardware; it gave it a digital voice.

 

Technical Principles and Innovative Values

Innovation Point 1: Legacy-to-Digital Bridge Without Replacement – The SPIET800 reads status bits, trip flags, and analog values directly from SPA relay contact outputs and internal test points via RS485. then maps them to modern data objects—eliminating the need for costly relay replacement during digitalization projects.

Innovation Point 2: Embedded Web Server for Zero-Client Monitoring – Technicians access real-time relay status, communication health, and event history through any browser—no proprietary software required—accelerating troubleshooting in remote locations.

Innovation Point 3: Multi-Relay Aggregation with Minimal Wiring – A single SPIET800 can poll up to 16 SPA relays over one twisted-pair RS485 cable, drastically reducing cabling complexity compared to point-to-point modem solutions.

Innovation Point 4: Cyber-Hardened Legacy Integration – While SPA relays lack native security, the SPIET800 enforces VLAN tagging, IP filtering, and secure firmware updates, creating a defensible boundary between OT and IT networks per IEC 62443 principles.

Application Cases and Industry Value

In a pulp and paper mill in Finland, motor protection relied on SPAM150 relays that couldn’t signal thermal overload conditions to the DCS. After installing the ABB SPIET800. the plant integrated motor health data into its predictive maintenance platform—triggering work orders when repeated near-trip events indicated bearing wear. Over 18 months, unplanned motor failures dropped by 40%. Similarly, in a Caribbean island grid, the SPIET800 enabled solar-diesel microgrid operators to remotely verify SPAU120 undervoltage trips during cloud-induced PV dips—ensuring protection coordination without site visits. These cases prove the SPIET800 turns passive hardware into active intelligence.

Related Product Combination Solutions

ABB SPAJ110 C-AA: Overcurrent relay commonly connected to SPIET800 for feeder monitoring.

ABB SPAM150 C: Motor protection relay with thermal data ideal for SPIET800 aggregation.

ABB REF615: Modern IEC 61850 relay—used alongside SPIET800 in hybrid substation upgrades.

ABB MicroSCADA SYS600: SCADA platform that natively imports SPIET800 Modbus/DNP3 data.

ABB Emax2 Ekip Touch: Smart breaker whose alarms can be co-monitored with SPA relays via SPIET800.

ABB Ability™ Asset Performance Management: Cloud analytics layer fed by SPIET800-collected legacy data.

ABB SPAU120 C: Voltage protection relay often networked via SPIET800 in generator islands.

ABB TGM800: Time synchronization module that can share IRIG-B with SPIET800 for event timestamping.

Installation, Maintenance, and Full-Cycle Support

Installing the ABB SPIET800 begins by connecting its RS485 port to the daisy-chained SPA relays using shielded twisted pair (with 120 Ω termination). The Ethernet port links to the plant network, while dual power inputs ensure continuity during supply transitions. Configuration is performed via its built-in web interface—where users define relay addresses, data points, and target SCADA protocols in minutes. No programming skills are required.

Maintenance is minimal: the unit self-monitors communication errors and logs lost packets. Firmware updates are delivered securely over HTTPS. Should a failure occur, hot-swap replacement takes under 10 minutes with pre-loaded configuration backup. We provide full lifecycle support—including wiring diagrams, protocol mapping templates, and SCADA integration guides—and back every SPIET800 with a 3-year warranty and global technical assistance.

Contact us for a customized solution—whether you’re extending the life of a legacy protection system, complying with grid modernization mandates, or building a hybrid substation that honors past investments while embracing digital futures.

ABB SPIET800