ABB SPAM Series Motor Protection Relays: SPAM150C-AA RS641006

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

ABB SPAM Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The ABB SPAM (Static Protection and Monitoring) series of motor protection relays has established a dominant installed base across global heavy industry, including petrochemical plants, nuclear power facilities, oil refineries, and large-scale manufacturing operations. Designed for medium-voltage motor protection applications, SPAM relays provide overcurrent, earth fault, thermal overload, and undercurrent protection functions within a single compact unit. Their integration into ABB's SPACOM and MicroSCADA supervisory systems made them a standard specification in utility and process industries throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The SPAM150C-AA RS641006 variant specifically represents the mature C-revision hardware with the AA configuration suffix, indicating a standard current input range and relay output configuration widely deployed in 6.6 kV and 11 kV motor feeder panels.

The Evolution of SPAM Series Architecture

The SPAM series was introduced by ABB (then ASEA) in the early 1980s as part of the broader SPACOM (Substation Protection and Control) modular protection philosophy. The original SPAM100 established the hardware platform: a plug-in card format with a front-panel HMI, RS485 SPA-bus communication, and analog current transformer inputs. The SPAM110 and SPAM120 extended the protection function set, adding directional earth fault and negative sequence overcurrent elements. The SPAM150 represented a significant architectural revision, introducing a 32-bit microprocessor core, improved thermal model accuracy, and enhanced SPA-bus communication throughput. The C-revision (SPAM150C) addressed field-reported issues with relay output contact bounce under high-frequency switching conditions and improved the EEPROM data retention specification to 10 years. Compatibility note: SPAM150C modules are backward-compatible with SPAM150 and SPAM150B mounting cradles and SPA-bus wiring, but firmware parameter sets are not directly transferable between revisions without re-commissioning. The series entered end-of-active-production status circa 2008, with ABB's REF615 and REF630 ANSI/IEC protection relays designated as the modern functional replacements. However, the installed base remains extensive, and direct replacement with REF-series hardware requires panel modification, new CT wiring, and full relay setting re-entry — making like-for-like SPAM spare parts the preferred maintenance strategy for most operators.

SPAM Series Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly stocked models within the ABB SPAM series. Each entry reflects the module's primary protection function as deployed in industrial motor feeder and transformer protection applications.

SPAM150C-AA RS641006: Motor protection relay, overcurrent + earth fault, SPA-bus, standard CT input, AA output config.
SPAM150C-AB RS641007: Motor protection relay, overcurrent + earth fault, SPA-bus, extended relay output configuration AB.
SPAM150B-AA RS641004: B-revision motor protection relay, overcurrent + thermal overload, SPA-bus communication.
SPAM150B-AB RS641005: B-revision, extended output relay config, motor feeder protection, SPA-bus.
SPAM150-AA RS641000: Original SPAM150 motor protection relay, overcurrent + earth fault, SPA-bus, AA config.
SPAM150-AB RS641001: Original SPAM150, extended relay output, motor feeder, SPA-bus communication.
SPAM110-AA RS631000: Overcurrent and earth fault relay, 3-phase + 1 earth fault input, SPA-bus.
SPAM110-AB RS631001: SPAM110 with extended relay output configuration, motor protection.
SPAM120-AA RS635000: Directional earth fault protection relay, SPA-bus, standard CT input.
SPAM120-AB RS635001: Directional earth fault, extended output relay configuration, SPA-bus.
SPAM100-AA RS621000: First-generation SPAM motor protection relay, overcurrent + earth fault.
SPAM100-AB RS621001: SPAM100 extended relay output variant, motor feeder protection.
SPAM150C-CA RS641010: Motor protection relay, CA configuration, enhanced thermal model, SPA-bus.
SPAM150C-CB RS641011: Motor protection relay, CB configuration, extended I/O, SPA-bus communication.
SPAM150C-DA RS641014: Motor protection relay, DA configuration, dual-voltage auxiliary supply input.
SPAM150C-DB RS641015: Motor protection relay, DB configuration, dual-voltage + extended relay outputs.
SPAM150C-EA RS641018: Motor protection relay, EA configuration, high-impedance earth fault input option.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete SPAM Series Parts

The SPAM series reached end-of-active-manufacture status, and ABB no longer produces new units or provides OEM repair services for most variants. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of tested SPAM150C, SPAM150B, SPAM150, SPAM120, SPAM110, and SPAM100 modules sourced from decommissioned switchgear panels, controlled plant shutdowns, and verified surplus stock channels. All units are catalogued by full part number including RS-suffix revision code, which is critical for confirming hardware compatibility with existing cradles and SPA-bus network configurations. For operators running long-term maintenance contracts on SPAM-equipped switchgear, DriveKNMS offers multi-unit reservation agreements to secure stock against future demand. Inquiries for specific RS-suffix variants, quantity requirements, or condition-graded (tested/refurbished) units should be directed to the contact details below.

Quality Control for the SPAM Series Range

SPAM series modules present specific test challenges due to their SPA-bus serial communication interface, analog CT input circuits, and multi-function relay output stages. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all SPAM units prior to dispatch: (1) Visual inspection of PCB, relay contacts, and front-panel HMI for physical damage, corrosion, or component substitution. (2) Auxiliary supply energization test at rated voltage (typically 110 V DC or 220 V DC per unit specification) to verify power supply regulation and self-diagnostic pass. (3) SPA-bus communication verification using a dedicated SPACOM test master to confirm correct address response, parameter read/write, and event reporting. (4) Current input injection test on all three phase CT inputs and the earth fault input to verify pickup accuracy against the relay's programmed settings. (5) Relay output contact continuity and operate-time test for all output stages. (6) Thermal model reset and parameter re-entry to factory default prior to shipment, unless the customer requests retention of existing settings. Units that fail any stage are quarantined and not offered for sale.