Description

Application Scenarios

At a 132 kV transmission substation in Norway undergoing digitalization,engineers upgraded legacy copper-based communication to a fiber optic IEC 61850 network.The existing REF615 relays were equipped with ABB SAFT185TBC modules to enable GOOSE messaging over multimode fiber.During a simulated fault,the relay transmitted a trip command via GOOSE within 3 ms,significantly faster than the previous hardwired scheme.The fiber optic link remained unaffected by a nearby lightning strike that disrupted copper-based systems,proving its EMI immunity.The SAFT185TBC enabled seamless integration into the new automation system,reducing cabling by 70%and improving system reliability and scalability.

Parameter

Parameter Value/Description

Model SAFT185TBC

Manufacturer ABB

Product Type Fiber Optic/Twinax Communication Module

Communication Standard IEC 61850-8-1(GOOSE),IEC 61850-9-2(SV),MMS

Interface Type Fiber Optic(ST or SC connectors)or Twinaxial

Fiber Type Multimode(typically 62.5/125µm or 50/125µm)

Transmission Distance Up to 2 km(multimode fiber)

Data Rate 100 Mbps(Fast Ethernet)

Network Topology Point-to-point,star,or ring

Redundancy Support PRP(Parallel Redundancy Protocol)or HSR(High-availability Seamless Redundancy)–depending on system configuration

Status Indication LEDs for Power,Link,and Data Activity per port

Mounting Plug-in module for Relion 615 relay base(DIN rail compatible)

Operating Temperature-25°C to+70°C–Suitable for industrial environments

Compliance IEC 60255,IEC 61000-6-2/6-4(EMC),IEEE 1613(Substation Equipment)

Order Code 3AHM985001R0101(Common variant)

Compatibility REF615,REL615,RED615,and other Relion 615 series IEDs

Technical Principles and Innovative Values

Innovation Point 1:Fiber optic communication provides complete immunity to electromagnetic interference(EMI),critical in high-voltage substations where switching transients and arc faults can disrupt copper-based signals.

Innovation Point 2:Supports IEC 61850 GOOSE,enabling ultra-fast,reliable,and secure tripping and interlocking without hardwired connections—reducing cabling complexity and installation cost.

Innovation Point 3:Enables Sampled Values(SV)transmission,allowing merging units(MUs)to digitize CT/VT outputs and stream them over fiber,eliminating analog signal degradation.

Innovation Point 4:Plug-and-play modular design allows field installation or upgrade of communication capabilities without replacing the entire relay.

Innovation Point 5:Dual-port capability(in some configurations)supports ring or redundant network topologies,enhancing network availability and fault tolerance.

Innovation Point 6:Real-time status LEDs provide immediate visual feedback on link status,data traffic,and errors—critical for commissioning and troubleshooting.

Application Cases and Industry Value

In a wind farm substation in Denmark,SAFT185TBC modules were used to create a fiber optic ring network between REL615 transformer protection relays and a central IED.During a grid fault,GOOSE messages triggered automatic islanding within 4 ms,protecting turbines from voltage collapse.The fiber network remained operational during high EMI events caused by power electronics.

At a metro rail traction substation in Singapore,SAFT185TBC enabled GOOSE-based interlocking between feeder protection relays,reducing trip time and eliminating miles of copper control cables.

Conclusion

The ABB SAFT185TBC is a specialized fiber optic communication module for the Relion 615 series protection relays,not a PLC.It enables IEC 61850-based digital substation communication,supporting GOOSE,SV,and MMS for modern,high-reliability power systems.

For PLC solutions,consider ABB’s AC500,AC800M,or PM800 series.The SAFT185TBC is essential for substation automation engineers,protection specialists,and system integrators deploying smart grid and digital substation technologies.