NewElec has introduced the new MB relay, the big brother of its successful MA range, aimed at motor protection and plant automation. Locally designed and manufactured, the new MB relay is ISO 9001:2000 compliant and is fully configurable with the aid of free front-end software or a man-machine-interface unit (MMI).
The MB relay includes all the basic protection features found in the MA range but excels with the provision of very advanced protection features that include starter logic and logic function blocks resulting in an all encompassing protection and control relay, which, coupled with its multi protocol communication options, make the MB relay an ideal solution for the turnkey automation market. All configurable inputs have 73 possibilities that include alarm and trip flags, timers, function block and RTC outputs, digital field and PLC inputs.
Additional protection features include earth leakage protection with selectable instantaneous or IDMT trip curves, earth insulation lockout, dry run detection by power factor measurement, starts per hour limitation, three RTD circuits catering for PT 100 or PTC 100 sensors and adjustable running stall trip thresholds. The MB also offers vectorial start stall detection, frequency monitoring, mains voltage symmetry protection, detection of potentially high-energy faults with automatic coordinated tripping and even frequency monitoring. Analogue 4-20 mA ‘in’ and ‘out’ programmable circuits and expansion modules are included.
As is usual with NewElec products the emphasis is on being user-friendly. In that regard, the company has included LED indications for all digital inputs (7) and all programmable output contacts (4).
Infrared and USB support for data transfer and paramatization including an address emitting LED that makes use of colour-coding to announce its current address all aid commissioning staff. Maintenance staff will also be informed of the type of fault that has occurred by simply consulting the latched front control panel mounted LEDs.
In addition, essential statistical data ensures information retrieved from the relay can be used for maintenance purposes before drive failure. Various selectable communication protocols, namely Profibus, Modbus and CANbus, ensure that plant automation via PLC and SCADA systems is seamless. Supported with the new free front-end software is NewElec’s Training Simulator designed to remove all unfamiliarity with the product in a super fast and safe environment.
The MB relay can produce 1 440 event records that are date and time stamped and can be downloaded and viewed in MS Excel. The three-phase recorder allows the user to record motor currents, voltages, thermal capacity and power factor which can be monitored and analysed in real time. This is particularly useful when tripping occurs for no obvious reason.
NewElec’s MB three-phase electronic motor protection and control relay reduces energy costs through better motor management, aids in preventative maintenance and achieves improved production. The MB range can be retrofitted into the MA range footprint so that upgrading to the MB from the MA is a simple matter.