ABB’s digital concept for MV switchgear is ready for coming smart grids

Voltimum manufacturing partner company ABB has launched a new Unigear Digital concept for its well-established UniGear line of MV switchgear. UniGear Digital takes this popular switchgear ‘to the next level’, says ABB, ‘ready for the coming smart grid era’.

 

An innovative solution combining protection, control, measurement and digital communication, the UniGear Digital panels are designed to enable a safe, flexible, eco-efficient and smart electrical network that can deliver power reliable and efficiently. 

 

The difference to earlier models is that the latest digital current and voltage sensors are integrated into each panel, alongside ABB’s multifunctional Relion IEDs (Intelligent Electronic Devices), which ensure compatibility with the IEC 61850 digital communication protocol.



 

This combination is designed to perform a central role in MV smart grids, with the Relion 615 range providing the backbone of the UniGear Digital communication concept.


 

 

Because it packages switching and communication functions together, the new generation of switchgear offers a 30% shorter delivery time, together with easier purchasing, engineering, installation and commissioning.


 

So, as ABB says, ‘in one move, the digital offer has removed a whole raft of complexity, with its associated long lead times, risk and cost’. Using IED connectivity packages, it is quick and easy to connect the digital switchgear to a customer’s SCADA system.
Furthermore, because UniGear Digital’s interface is based on the Relion range, switchgear operators are able to adapt readily to the user-friendly human machine interface (HMI).



 

 

From an operational perspective, the digital switchgear represents increased substation availability and equipment safety, according to the company.
The new UniGear Digital panels meet the highest requirements for peer-to-peer GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event) communication, which is faster than systems that use the traditional hardwired approach. 

 

Constant supervision of peer-to-peer communication links between panels ensure that switchgear trips quickly and reliably following an event.


 

The IEC 61850-9-2 LE process bus is also used by IEDs for transmitting sampled measured values (SMVs). UniGear Digital uses it for sharing busbar voltages, for example.



 

Remote connection via an Ethernet interface means that it is possible to reconfigure an IED or carry out monitoring remotely, avoiding the need for a site visit.



 

 

As demand grows, the new digital panels can be plugged in to extend and upgrade substations ready to be part of a smart grid, using the concept of interoperability under the IEC 61850 standard.

 

This means that UniGear Digital is built for flexibility, scalability, modification and expansion without the need for complex additional wiring.