GE UR Series Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

GE UR Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The GE UR (Universal Relay) Series, developed by GE Grid Solutions (formerly GE Multilin), represents one of the most widely deployed digital protection relay platforms in global heavy industry. Installed across chemical processing plants, nuclear power stations, petroleum refineries, offshore platforms, and high-voltage transmission substations, the UR Series provides standardized, modular protection for generators, transformers, motors, buses, lines, and feeders. Its architecture is recognized by utilities and industrial operators across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific as a benchmark for IEC 61850-compliant protection systems. The platform's slot-based chassis design allows field engineers to configure relay functionality by populating specific module slots — CPU, I/O, communications, and power supply — without replacing the entire relay chassis, significantly reducing mean time to repair (MTTR) in critical infrastructure environments.

The Evolution of UR Series Architecture

The UR platform was introduced in the late 1990s as GE Multilin's response to the industry's transition from electromechanical and solid-state relays to fully digital, networked protection systems. The first-generation UR chassis established the modular slot architecture that remains the platform's defining characteristic. Early firmware versions supported DNP3 and Modbus RTU communications; subsequent hardware revisions added IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging, IEEE 1588 precision time protocol (PTP), and dual-redundant Ethernet ports.

The UR Series encompasses multiple relay types — the D60 Line Distance Relay, F60 Feeder Protection Relay, G60 Generator Protection Relay, L90 Line Differential Relay, M60 Motor Protection Relay, T60 Transformer Protection Relay, B30 Bus Differential Relay, and C60 Breaker Protection Relay — all sharing a common hardware module ecosystem. This cross-compatibility means that a CPU module such as the UR9NV or a communications module such as the UR6SH may be interchangeable across multiple relay types within the same hardware generation, subject to firmware compatibility verification.

As of 2024, GE Grid Solutions has transitioned newer installations toward the UR Series 8.x firmware platform and the next-generation Universal Relay hardware. Many UR Series modules from the 6.x and 7.x hardware generations are now classified as mature or end-of-active-production, making third-party spare parts sourcing essential for operators maintaining legacy fleets.

UR Series Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly deployed modules within the GE UR Series platform. Modules are categorized by functional role within the relay chassis.

CPU / Main Processing Modules

• UR9NV: Main CPU module for UR Series relays; hosts protection logic, settings database, and HMI interface firmware.
• UR9NH: CPU module variant with enhanced memory capacity for complex protection schemes and large event records.
• UR9NE: Standard CPU module for mid-range UR relay configurations; supports DNP3 and Modbus RTU natively.
• UR9ND: CPU module with dual-port Ethernet and IEC 61850 Edition 2 support for substation automation networks.

Communications / Networking Modules

• UR6SH: Dual-port 100BASE-FX fiber Ethernet communications module; supports IEC 61850 GOOSE, MMS, and IEEE 1588 PTP synchronization.
• UR6SE: Single-port 100BASE-TX copper Ethernet module for SCADA integration via DNP3 over TCP/IP.
• UR6SF: Fiber-optic communications module for direct inter-relay GOOSE messaging in ring or star topologies.
• UR6SG: IEEE C37.94 multiplexed teleprotection communications module for pilot protection schemes.
• UR6SK: RS-485 serial communications module supporting Modbus RTU and DNP3 serial protocols.

Digital Input / Output Modules

• UR8AH: 24-channel digital input module; accepts dry contact and wet contact inputs, 24–250 VDC range.
• UR8AE: 16-channel digital output module with high-speed trip relay contacts rated at 30 A make, 5 A carry.
• UR8AF: Combined 8DI / 8DO module for compact chassis configurations requiring mixed I/O in a single slot.
• UR8AG: High-density 32-channel digital input module for applications requiring extensive binary status monitoring.

Analog Input Modules

• UR4AH: 4-channel AC current and voltage analog input module; supports CT inputs up to 20 A nominal and VT inputs up to 300 V.
• UR4AE: 8-channel analog input module for transducer-based measurements (4–20 mA, 0–10 V) in process protection applications.

Power Supply Modules

• UR1AH: Wide-range DC power supply module; accepts 24–250 VDC station battery input, provides regulated internal bus power.
• UR1AE: AC/DC power supply module for installations with 100–240 VAC auxiliary power; includes battery backup interface.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete UR Series Parts

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for GE UR Series modules that have entered end-of-active-production status. As GE Grid Solutions has progressively discontinued hardware support for UR Series 6.x and 7.x generation modules, operators of legacy relay fleets — particularly in nuclear-licensed facilities and long-cycle refinery turnaround programs — face extended lead times through OEM channels that can exceed 26 weeks.

DriveKNMS sources UR Series modules through verified secondary market channels, decommissioned substation equipment, and authorized surplus distributors. All modules are subject to pre-sale inspection and functional verification before dispatch. For operators requiring long-term maintenance agreements covering UR Series spare parts, DriveKNMS offers reserved inventory allocation on high-demand SKUs including UR9NV, UR6SH, UR8AH, and UR1AH.

Contact DriveKNMS with your relay model number, chassis slot configuration, and firmware version to receive a compatibility-verified replacement recommendation.

Quality Control for the UR Series Range

GE UR Series modules incorporate complex backplane bus architecture and high-speed fiber communications interfaces that require specialized test procedures beyond standard continuity checks. DriveKNMS applies the following verification protocol to all UR Series modules prior to shipment:

• Backplane Bus Integrity Test: Each module is seated in a UR chassis test fixture and subjected to full backplane communication verification, confirming correct slot addressing and inter-module data exchange.
• Firmware Version Identification: CPU modules are powered and queried to confirm firmware version, ensuring compatibility with the customer's existing relay configuration file.
• Fiber Port Optical Power Measurement: Communications modules with fiber interfaces (e.g., UR6SH, UR6SF) are tested with an optical power meter to verify transmit power within GE-specified tolerances (typically -15 to -23 dBm at 1300 nm).
• Digital I/O Contact Resistance Measurement: Output relay contacts on modules such as UR8AE are tested for contact resistance below 100 mΩ to confirm trip-reliable switching performance.
• Analog Input Accuracy Verification: Analog input modules are tested against calibrated current and voltage sources to confirm measurement accuracy within ±0.1% of rated input.
• Thermal Burn-In: All modules undergo a minimum 24-hour powered burn-in at ambient temperature to screen for early-life component failures before dispatch.