ABB REA Arc Protection Relays

ABB REA Arc Protection Relays Supplier, Exporter in India

ABB REA Arc Fault Protection System for MV & LV Switchgear

ABB REA is a fast arc fault protection system used for protecting medium-voltage and low-voltage air-insulated switchgear against internal arc faults. The system detects the intense light produced by an arc and can combine this with overcurrent detection before issuing a trip command to the circuit breaker.

The REA system is widely used where fast fault clearing is important to limit damage inside switchgear panels and reduce the risk of an arc fault spreading to adjoining compartments. It can be used in new switchgear installations as well as protection upgrades for existing panels.

The ABB REA arc protection family consists of the REA101 main arc protection relay and REA103, REA105 and REA107 extension modules. Depending on the switchgear layout, fibre-optic sensors or lens-type sensors can be used to monitor busbar, breaker and cable compartments.

For enquiries for the ABB REA101 arc protection relay, REA103 extension unit, REA105 arc protection module, REA107 sensor module or complete ABB REA arc flash protection system, share the required model, existing system details, sensor requirement, auxiliary voltage and quantity for quotation.

ABB REA Arc Protection Relay Models

ABB REA101 Arc Protection Relay

ABB REA101 is the main unit of the REA arc protection system. It can work as a standalone arc protection relay or can be connected with REA103, REA105 and REA107 extension units when a larger switchgear installation needs to be covered.

REA101 combines light detection with three-phase overcurrent measurement. Depending on the selected trip condition, the system can operate from detected arc light alone or from simultaneous light and overcurrent detection.

Main functions include:

• Three-phase overcurrent detection
• Fibre-optic arc light detection
• Two high-speed semiconductor trip outputs
• Additional trip relay output
• Two ports for REA extension modules
• Circuit-breaker failure protection
• Self-supervision of sensor fibre and internal operating circuits
• Optolink communication between REA101 main units
• Loop-type or radial fibre sensor arrangement

ABB REA103 Arc Protection Extension Module

ABB REA103 is used when the arc detection area needs to be extended beyond the coverage of the REA101 main relay.

It provides two fibre sensor connections, allowing different sections of a switchgear lineup to be monitored separately. This helps locate the affected area and allows the protection system to be divided into smaller zones.

Key functions of REA103 include:

• Two fibre-optic sensors for arc detection
• Loop or radial sensor arrangement
• Two signal relays for each sensor fibre
• Two RJ45 ports for connection with REA101 and other extension units
• Light detection information transferred to the REA101.
• Sensor fibre and operating voltage supervision

ABB REA105 Arc Protection Extension Module

ABB REA105 provides arc detection along with local high-speed tripping capability. It is particularly useful where selective tripping is required within different sections of the switchgear.

Unlike REA103, the REA105 has two high-speed semiconductor trip outputs. This allows it to trip selected circuit breakers directly when the required light and overcurrent conditions are present.

Main functions include:

• Loop or radial fibre sensor for arc detection
• Two high-speed semiconductor trip outputs
• Light-activated signal relay
• Three RJ45 communication ports
• Selective circuit-breaker tripping
• Circuit-breaker failure protection
• Self-supervision of operating voltage and sensor fibre
• Connection with REA101 and other extension modules

ABB REA107 Arc Protection Extension Module

ABB REA107 is used where point-type optical detection is preferred instead of a continuous fibre sensor.

The module accepts up to eight lens-type arc sensors, allowing individual switchgear compartments or specific locations to be monitored separately.

Main functions include:

• Eight lens-type sensor inputs for arc detection
• LED indication for individual sensors
• Two signal relays
• Two RJ45 ports
• Connection with REA101 and other REA extension units
• Individual arc detection points for different switchgear compartments
• Internal operating voltage supervision

Technical Specifications

• Product family: ABB REA / REA 10_
• Protection type: Arc fault/arc flash protection
• Main relay: REA101
• Extension modules: REA103, REA105 and REA107
• Application: Air-insulated medium-voltage and low-voltage switchgear
• Arc detection method: Fibre-optic light sensors or lens-type point sensors
• Current measurement: Three-phase overcurrent measurement in REA101
• Rated current inputs: 1 A or 5 A
• Overcurrent setting levels: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 3.0, 5.0 and 6.0 × In
• Arc protection trip command: Approximately 2.5 ms under applicable system conditions
• REA101 trip outputs: Two high-speed semiconductor outputs plus relay trip output
• REA101 extension ports: Two RJ45 ports
• Extension capacity: Up to five extension units can be connected to each REA101 extension port
• REA103 sensor capacity: Two fibre sensors
• REA105 sensor arrangement: Loop or radial fibre sensor
• REA105 high-speed trip outputs: Two
• REA107 sensor capacity: Eight lens-type sensors
• Circuit-breaker failure protection: Available
• Sensor supervision: Available
• System self-supervision: Available
• Fibre arrangement: Loop or radial
• REA101 auxiliary supply options: 110–240 V AC / 110–250 V DC or 24–60 V DC depending on version
• Optolink versions: Available for communication between REA101 units

Features

• Fast arc fault detection: Detects arc light and can issue a trip command within milliseconds.
• Light- and current-based operation: Arc detection can be combined with overcurrent measurement to improve trip security.
• Flexible switchgear coverage: The system can protect anything from a smaller panel arrangement to a larger switchgear lineup.
• Expandable REA system: REA103, REA105 and REA107 modules can be added according to the number of compartments and protection zones.
• Fibre and lens sensor options: Continuous fibre sensors are suitable for covering larger areas, while REA107 lens sensors can monitor specific compartments.
• Selective tripping: REA105 can be used where individual breakers or switchgear sections need separate high-speed trip outputs.
• Circuit-breaker failure protection: Backup tripping can be arranged if the primary breaker does not clear the fault.
• Fault location support: Sensor indications help maintenance teams identify the area where arc light was detected.
• Self-supervision: The system continuously monitors important sensor and internal operating circuits.
• Suitable for existing switchgear upgrades: REA can also be considered when improving arc protection in older air-insulated switchboards.

Applications

ABB REA arc protection relays are used in:

• Medium-voltage switchgear
• Low-voltage switchgear
• Air-insulated switchboards
• Utility substations
• Industrial substations
• Main distribution boards
• Busbar compartments
• Circuit-breaker compartments
• Cable termination compartments
• Transformer incomer panels
• Feeder panels
• Bus coupler panels
• Power plants
• Oil and gas facilities
• Petrochemical plants
• Steel and metal plants
• Cement plants
• Mining installations
• Process industries
• Infrastructure power distribution
• Existing switchgear arc protection upgrades

ABB REA101, REA103, REA105 & REA107 Supply Requirements

The correct REA unit depends on the existing switchgear arrangement and how the protection zones are designed.

For example, a requirement for an ABB REA101 replacement relay should include the complete ordering code because REA101 was supplied with different auxiliary supply and Optolink configurations.

Documented REA101 configurations include:

• REA101-AAA – 110–240 V AC / 110–250 V DC
• REA101-CAA – 24–60 V DC
• REA101-AAAG – high-voltage auxiliary supply version with glass-fibre Optolink
• REA101-CAAG – low-voltage DC version with glass-fibre Optolink
• REA103-AA – REA103 extension module
• REA105-AA – REA105 extension module
• REA107-AA – REA107 extension module

When requesting a quotation, please provide:

• Required model – REA101, REA103, REA105 or REA107
• Complete ABB ordering code
• Existing relay/module nameplate photograph
• Auxiliary supply voltage
• Sensor type and quantity
• Existing REA system configuration, if replacing a unit
• Number and length of fibre sensors, where required
• Quantity
• Project or end-user location
• Destination country

Looking for ABB REA Arc Protection Relays?

We handle requirements for ABB REA arc protection relays and modules including REA101, REA103, REA105 and REA107 for industrial, utility, switchgear replacement and project requirements.

For an ABB REA101 arc protection relay quotation, REA103 extension module, REA105 replacement unit, REA107 arc sensor module or complete REA arc flash protection system requirement, send us the model number, complete ordering details, quantity and project location for availability and quotation.