Description
ABB CI868K01 3BSE048845R1 IEC 61850 Communication Interface
Product Introduction
When an AC 800M controller has to exchange electrical-substation data with intelligent electronic devices, the communication interface becomes part of the control-system architecture rather than just another Ethernet card. ABB CI868K01 3BSE048845R1 is the packaged IEC 61850 interface for AC 800M, consisting of the CI868 communication interface and TP867 baseplate. ABB’s product catalog explicitly identifies this package and its contents.
CI868 supports IEC 61850 communication through Ethernet and provides the AC 800M controller with access to substation-oriented device communications, including MMS and GOOSE functions. The important procurement distinction is that 3BSE048845R1 is the CI868 / IEC 61850 Edition 1 package, while CI868A is a later product supporting IEC 61850 Edition 2. Treating those two article numbers as automatically interchangeable is a configuration risk.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | CI868K01 |
| ABB Article Number | 3BSE048845R1 |
| Manufacturer | ABB |
| Product Family | AC 800M / System 800xA |
| Product Type | IEC 61850 Communication Interface Package |
| Package | CI868 + TP867 baseplate |
| Communication Protocol | IEC 61850 |
| IEC 61850 Generation | Edition 1 |
| Ethernet Speed | 10/100 Mbit/s |
| Ethernet Standard | IEEE 802.3u 10/100Base-Tx |
| Ethernet Connector | RJ45 |
| Communication Channels | 1 Ethernet communication channel |
| MMS | Supported |
| GOOSE | Supported |
| CEX-Bus Connection | Yes |
| Supply Source | 24 VDC through CEX-Bus |
| Typical Current Consumption | 160 mA |
| Maximum Current Consumption | 250 mA |
| Typical Power Dissipation | 3.8 W |
| Maximum Power Dissipation | 6 W |
| Protection Rating | IP20 |
| Hot Swap | Yes |
| Dimensions | 59 × 185 × 127.5 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 500 g for module; package with baseplate approximately 700 g |
ABB’s controller hardware guide specifies the CI868 as an Ethernet unit using IEC 61850, with 10/100 Mbit/s communication, RJ45 connection, 160 mA typical and 250 mA maximum CEX-Bus current consumption, 3.8 W typical and 6 W maximum dissipation, IP20 protection, and hot-swap capability. The package weight is listed as approximately 700 g with the TP867 baseplate.
Major Features / Advantages
IEC 61850 Integration for AC 800M
CI868 provides a defined communication path between an AC 800M controller and external IEC 61850 devices. ABB describes it as the IEC 61850 communication interface for AC 800M, allowing process automation and electrical/substation automation functions to be combined within the controller architecture.
This is particularly useful where an AC 800M-based control system needs data from protection relays, bay controllers, meters, or other IEC 61850-enabled intelligent electronic devices. The interface handles the communication layer; the actual data model, datasets, reporting, GOOSE subscriptions, and controller application logic still have to be engineered correctly.
CI868K01
MMS and GOOSE Communication
ABB documentation identifies as supporting IEC 61850 GOOSE and MMS client communication. In practical terms, MMS is relevant to higher-level client access and structured IEC 61850 data exchange, while GOOSE is intended for fast peer-to-peer event messaging between IEDs.
That distinction matters during system design. A successful Ethernet link does not prove that the required IEC 61850 services are correctly configured. Device models, datasets, subscriptions, addressing, and engineering configuration all need to agree.
TP867 Baseplate Included
CI868K01 is a kit, not simply the electronics module. ABB’s catalog specifies that the package includes the communication interface and TP867 baseplate.
This matters when ordering a complete spare. A purchasing department comparing only the module may unintentionally order a different configuration from the original CI868K01 package.
CEX-Bus Integration
The is powered through the AC 800M CEX-Bus rather than requiring a separate external power supply. ABB’s installation documentation specifies that no additional external power source is required for the .
The CEX-Bus architecture also means that controller configuration and the permitted number of communication units need to be considered before adding interfaces to an existing controller.
Hot-Swap Capability
ABB specifies hot swap for . That does not mean every field replacement can be performed without an engineering procedure. The actual controller architecture, redundancy arrangement, application state, and plant maintenance procedure still determine whether online replacement is appropriate.
Defined Ethernet Interface
The uses an RJ45 connection and supports 10/100Base-Tx Ethernet. The Ethernet cable should be connected through the appropriate network infrastructure rather than treating the RJ45 port as an ordinary office-network connection.
Application Scenarios & Pain Points
Electrical Substation Integration
is suited to AC 800M systems that need IEC 61850 connectivity to electrical automation equipment. Typical architecture can place the AC 800M controller between process-control applications and IEC 61850-enabled IEDs.
Power and Process Plants
In combined process and electrical control architectures, IEC 61850 can provide structured access to protection and electrical-device information while AC 800M handles controller application logic. ABB specifically positions the interface for combining process automation and electrical control within the same controller platform.
Protection Relay Data Integration
A common field requirement is getting breaker, protection, measurement, alarm, or status information from IEC 61850-capable protection devices into the control application. provides the communication interface, but relay-specific data modeling and IEC 61850 engineering must still be validated.
Legacy System Maintenance
CI868K01 is especially relevant to installed System 800xA environments where the existing project was engineered around and IEC 61850 Edition 1. Replacing it with a newer CI868A simply because the physical form appears similar can create software and protocol-generation issues.
Engineer’s Guide — Field Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Do not confuse with CI868A.
uses 3BSE048845R1 and is identified by ABB as an IEC 61850 Edition 1 communication interface. CI868A uses 3BSE092691R1 and is a later Edition 2 interface. Verify the installed System 800xA and IEC 61850 engineering environment before substitution.
2. Remember that is a package.
The kit contains both the communication interface and TP867 baseplate. If the requirement is for a complete kit, purchasing only a bare module does not reproduce the original package.
3. Check the CEX-Bus configuration.
ABB documents limits on how many units can be connected to an AC 800M controller. The applicable limit varies with controller redundancy architecture and software configuration.
4. Do not assume Ethernet connectivity means IEC 61850 is configured correctly.
The physical Ethernet link, IEC 61850 device model, MMS configuration, GOOSE datasets/subscriptions, and AC 800M application logic are separate engineering layers.
5. Check the engineering-tool version.
configuration is tied to the applicable Control Builder and IEC 61850 hardware/software libraries. A hardware replacement should therefore be checked against the project’s existing engineering environment before installation.
6. Verify the original article number.
Use / 3BSE048845R1 on the purchase order. Do not replace the article number with the newer CI868A number unless ABB documentation for the specific project confirms the migration path.
Related Products
- ABB — 3BSE048845R1: IEC 61850 communication interface used in the package.
- Baseplate included with .
- ABB CI868A — 3BSE092691R1: Later IEC 61850 interface supporting IEC 61850 Edition 2. It should not be assumed to be a drop-in replacement for .
- ABB CI867 / CI867A: AC 800M MODBUS TCP communication interfaces; different protocol function from /.
- ABB CI871 / CI871A: AC 800M PROFINET IO communication interfaces; different application from IEC 61850.
- ABB CI873 / CI873A: AC 800M EtherNet/IP interfaces; different communication architecture.
- ABB CI869: AC 800M Advant Fieldbus 100 interface.
- ABB PM8xx / PM891: AC 800M processor families with which communication interfaces such as are integrated through the CEX-Bus, subject to controller and software compatibility.
FAQ
What is ABB ?
is ABB’s IEC 61850 communication interface package for AC 800M, article number 3BSE048845R1. The package contains a communication interface and baseplate.
What protocol does use?
The primary communication protocol is IEC 61850. ABB documentation identifies MMS client and GOOSE communication capabilities for .
What Ethernet speed does support?
supports 10/100 Mbit/s 10/100Base-Tx Ethernet through its RJ45 interface.
Is the same as ?
No. uses the interface with article number 3BSE048845R1, identified by ABB documentation as an IEC 61850 Edition 1 interface. is article 3BSE092691R1 and supports IEC 61850 Edition 2. The two should not be treated as automatically interchangeable.
Does require a separate power supply?
No separate external supply is required for the itself. ABB specifies that the module receives power from the AC 800M processor through the CEX-Bus.
Can be hot-swapped?
ABB specifies as hot-swappable. Whether a particular plant can perform the replacement online depends on the installed controller architecture, application, redundancy arrangement, and site maintenance procedure.
What should I verify before purchasing a replacement?
Confirm 3BSE048845R1, the versus generation, baseplate requirement, AC 800M controller type, System 800xA/Control Builder version, IEC 61850 Edition 1 engineering environment, and the existing GOOSE/MMS configuration. For used or refurbished inventory, verify the actual hardware revision and physical condition rather than relying only on a catalog description.
