GE UR Series Modules | UR9EV CPU Module

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 functions as the backbone of electrical protection and control in facilities where unplanned downtime carries catastrophic operational and safety consequences. Its modular architecture — allowing CPU, I/O, power supply, and communications modules to be independently sourced and replaced — has made it the preferred platform for long-term asset management programs in utilities and industrial operators across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

The Evolution of UR Series Architecture

The UR platform was introduced in the late 1990s as GE Multilin's response to the industry demand for a unified, IED-based (Intelligent Electronic Device) protection relay that could replace discrete electromechanical and solid-state relays across multiple protection functions. The original UR chassis established a 19-inch rack-mount form factor with a passive backplane bus, allowing modular slot-based population of function cards.

Early UR firmware (pre-v4.x) operated on proprietary real-time OS kernels with limited SCADA integration. The introduction of IEC 61850 GOOSE messaging support in the v5.x firmware generation marked a significant architectural shift, enabling peer-to-peer relay communication without hardwired I/O. Subsequent generations added DNP3, Modbus RTU/TCP, and IEC 60870-5-104 protocol stacks, making the UR platform compatible with virtually all SCADA and EMS architectures in service today.

The UR9EV CPU module represents the current-generation processing core, featuring enhanced DSP performance for high-speed phasor measurement and fault recording. Compatibility between UR chassis generations requires attention to backplane revision levels; early Type A chassis are not electrically compatible with Type B/C backplanes without adapter hardware. Firmware cross-compatibility between CPU generations is managed through GE's EnerVista UR Setup software, which enforces version-locked configuration files.

UR Series Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly stocked modules within the GE UR Series platform, organized by functional category:

CPU & Processing Modules

• UR9EV: Current-generation CPU module; dual-core DSP; IEC 61850 Ed.2 compliant; primary processing core for all UR relay types.
• UR9E: Standard CPU module; single DSP core; supports DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850 Ed.1; predecessor to UR9EV.
• UR9F: High-performance CPU variant; extended memory for large configuration databases and oscillography storage.
• UR6H: Legacy CPU module for early-generation UR chassis; limited protocol support; no IEC 61850 native stack.

Digital Input (DI) Modules

• UR8AH: 24-channel digital input module; 24/48 VDC wet contact sensing; opto-isolated inputs.
• UR8AJ: 24-channel digital input module; 110/125 VDC wet contact sensing; high-voltage industrial environments.
• UR8AK: 24-channel digital input module; 220/250 VDC wet contact sensing; substation battery bus compatible.
• UR8AL: 16-channel digital input module; AC voltage sensing inputs; 120/240 VAC rated.

Digital Output (DO) / Analog Output Modules

• UR8BH: 16-channel form-A output module; 30 VDC / 250 VAC rated contacts; trip and control duty.
• UR8BJ: 8-channel form-C output module; high-current contacts; 10 A continuous rating.
• UR8BK: 4-channel analog output module; 4–20 mA current loop; metering and SCADA retransmission.

Analog Input (AI) / CT-VT Modules

• UR8CH: 8-channel CT/VT input module; 1 A / 5 A CT selectable; 120/240 VAC VT inputs.
• UR8CJ: 4-channel CT input module; high-accuracy metering class; 0.1% accuracy at rated current.
• UR8CK: 8-channel VT input module; 69 kV / 115 kV / 230 kV VT secondary compatible.

Communications & Networking Modules

• UR8DH: Dual-port Ethernet communications module; 100BASE-TX; IEC 61850, DNP3/TCP, Modbus/TCP.
• UR8DJ: Fiber optic communications module; ST connector; inter-relay GOOSE and direct I/O transfer.
• UR8DK: RS-485 serial communications module; Modbus RTU, DNP3 serial; legacy SCADA integration.

Power Supply Modules

• UR8EH: Standard power supply module; 125/250 VDC input; 20 W output; standard UR chassis.
• UR8EJ: Redundant power supply module; dual-input hot-swap capable; mission-critical substation applications.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete UR Series Parts

Several early-generation UR modules — including the UR6H CPU, UR8AH DI modules with legacy firmware locks, and first-generation UR8EH power supplies — have been discontinued by GE Grid Solutions. OEM lead times for in-production modules frequently extend to 16–26 weeks due to semiconductor supply constraints and GE's configure-to-order manufacturing model.

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for the UR Series lifecycle, sourcing verified surplus, refurbished, and new-surplus modules from decommissioned utility and industrial assets globally. All UR Series modules sourced through DriveKNMS are subject to full functional verification prior to dispatch. For facilities operating under long-term maintenance contracts or facing OEM end-of-life notices, DriveKNMS provides multi-year stocking agreements to ensure continuity of spare parts availability without dependency on OEM production schedules.

Quality Control for the UR Series Range

The UR Series backplane employs a proprietary high-speed serial bus for inter-module communication. Verification of module integrity therefore requires not only standalone component testing but also in-chassis bus communication validation. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all UR Series modules:

• Visual inspection: PCB condition, connector pin integrity, capacitor health assessment.
• Power-on self-test (POST) verification: Module boot sequence monitored via EnerVista UR Setup software; firmware version and hardware revision confirmed.
• Backplane bus communication test: Module installed in reference UR chassis; inter-module data exchange verified at rated bus speed.
• I/O functional test: For DI modules — wet contact sensing verified at rated voltage. For DO modules — contact resistance and trip current verified. For CT/VT modules — accuracy verified against calibrated reference signals.
• Thermal soak: 4-hour burn-in at 50°C ambient to screen latent component failures.
• Final configuration wipe: All test configurations cleared; module returned to factory-default state prior to shipment.