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MA Relay for Motor Protection

Compact Motor Protection with Earth Leakage and Overload Detection

Level2 B-BBEE Contributor

Advanced Protection → Proven Reliability

The NewElec MA-Relay is engineered to protect your motors from the most common and costly causes of failure. Designed for today’s industrial plants, it delivers intelligent overload protection, fault diagnostics, and communication-ready control for complete peace of mind.

Ma Relay 1

Common Failures in Mining MCCs

Stall/locked-rotor, dry-run/jam, phase loss/unbalance in Mining MCCs.
Ma relay

How MA Relay Helps

Start supervision, thermal model, configurable trips, under/overload logic.
Ma Relay

Measured outcomes

Fewer nuisance trips, faster diagnosis, improved uptime.

Key Features & Why They Matter

Across mining, water treatment, and manufacturing, downtime costs can exceed R2 million per hour. Common failures such as overloading, phase imbalance, or earth faults often go unnoticed until it’s too late. The MA-Relay solves this with built-in smart protection features that act before your system fails.

Overload Protection

Unbalanced Current & Phase Loss

Load Loss Protection

Earth Leakage & Earth Fault Protection

Voltage Protection

Over-Temperature Protection

Applications in Mining

The MA Relay addresses critical protection challenges in mining operations where traditional overload relays fall short. Mining environments demand sophisticated protection that accounts for variable frequency drives, extended cable runs, high-inertia loads, and harsh operating conditions. This intelligent relay provides comprehensive motor protection while minimising false trips that lead to production losses. 

Optimise your Mining and Plant operations with NewElec’s innovative motor protection and control solutions
Conveyors

Protects belt conveyor drives against overload, stall, and phase loss. Handles high starting currents and extended acceleration times common in long overland conveyors.

Crusher Motors

Guards against locked rotor conditions when material jams occur. Provides rapid fault detection to prevent mechanical damage to crushing equipment.

Compressors

Monitors thermal conditions during loaded starts. Detects loss of load indicating compressor valve or unloader failure in compressed air systems.

Ventilation Fans

Ensures continuous operation of critical underground ventilation systems. Provides phase rotation

Screens & Feeders

Detects mechanical binding and unbalanced loads in vibrating equipment. Protects against bearing failures through temperature monitoring inputs.

Hoists & Cranes

Safeguards critical material handling equipment with frozen contactor detection. Monitors current balance to identify mechanical issues before failure.

Earth Leakage Coordination

Integrates with ground fault protection systems. Provides selective tripping to isolate faults without disrupting entire mining sections

The MA Relay Deep Dive

Unlock the full capability of the NewElec MA Relay with this step-by-step deep dive.
In this video, we break down how the MA protection relay works, the key features engineers rely on, and how it improves motor reliability, pump protection, and electrical safety across industrial environments.

Whether you’re working in mining, water treatment, manufacturing, utilities, or heavy industry, the MA Relay offers a powerful suite of protection functions designed to minimise downtime and extend equipment life.

Models for Every Application

MA-05 For Small Industrial Drives

Designed for precision and efficiency, the MA-05 handles currents up to 5A, making it ideal for small industrial drives and compact motor applications requiring dependable protection and control.

MA-10 For Control Panels and Feeders

With a current range up to 10A, the MA-10 is built for control panels, feeders, and low-power circuits, providing reliable motor protection in light-duty environments.

MA-25

The MA-25 covers currents up to 25A, delivering versatile protection for light manufacturing processes where consistency and accuracy are key.

MA-50 For Medium Pumps and Conveyors

Supporting currents up to 50A, the MA-50 is suited for medium-duty pumps, conveyors, and process lines, ensuring smooth operation and reduced downtime.

MA-100

The MA-100 handles currents up to 100A, making it a strong performer for large industrial pumps, mixers, and heavy mechanical systems requiring robust overload protection.

MA-250 For Heavy-Duty Motors

Built for demanding environments, the MA-250 supports currents up to 250A, providing superior protection for heavy-duty industrial motors in high-load applications.

MA-300 For High-Load Mining and Processing Motors

At the top of the range, the MA-300 manages currents up to 300A, delivering dependable performance and protection for high-load motors in mining and processing operations.

MA Relay Deep Dive

Communication-Ready Intelligence

CANBUS (MA–CAN–BBRTU)

MODBUS RTU (MA–MODBUS–BBRTU)

PROFIBUS (MA–PROFI–BBRTU)

Coordination with GA Earth Leakage

Ethernet / PROFINET / Modbus TCP / Ethernet IP (MA–ETHER–BBRTU)

Customer Testimonials

Support for a Complex Issue!


As an Electrical Foreman working in a Copper Mine in Africa, I faced significant challenges with frontend communication while trying to program a KD relay. After some investigation, it was determined that the issue stemmed from the computer’s COM port drivers.

The support team based in South Africa was outstanding! They patiently guided me step-by-step, troubleshooting the issue remotely from their support office. Their knowledge and expertise turned what could have been a major roadblock into a smooth resolution.

I’m incredibly grateful for their professionalism and dedication. It’s reassuring to know there’s a team like this behind the products we rely on. Thanks again for the top-notch support!

Solutions for Quarry Operations!


As a Plant Manager, I was dealing with repeated overload trips on a pump application, which didn’t make sense since we had a larger module (MA250) installed for a smaller 2.4 kW drive. After consulting with NewElec, I decided to bring the relay to their facility for further inspection and assistance with Frontend tutorials.

The NewElec team promptly discovered that the relay was faulty and recommended replacing it with an MA10 module, which was better suited for our drive. They also provided custom settings tailored to our application and ensured we had everything needed for a seamless transition.

Since implementing the changes, the MA10 module has been performing flawlessly, and our operations are running more efficiently. NewElec’s technical expertise and proactive approach made all the difference. I highly recommend their services to anyone in the industry!

Clear Guidance and Excellent Support!


As a client unfamiliar with the NewCode product, I needed clarification on whether its digital inputs could be used as a control circuit for a Direct-On-Line (DOL) application. Additionally, I requested relevant documentation to help me understand the product better.

The NewElec team provided clear and detailed explanations, addressed all my concerns, and supplied the necessary documentation. Their expertise and patience made the process seamless, and I now feel confident using the product.

I’m thoroughly impressed with their support and professionalism. Thank you for making everything so straightforward!

Exceptional Technical Clarity and Support!

As a Consulting Engineer, I required clarification on the voltage range of the CTMB and when it would be necessary to utilize a voltage converter. The NewElec team provided clear and precise guidance, explaining that the CTMB can handle up to 550VAC, and anything above this would require a voltage converter. They also recommended adding a voltage converter and insulation lockout for optimal safety and performance.

Their detailed explanations and expert advice were invaluable. It’s always a pleasure working with a team that prioritizes customer understanding and provides tailored solutions. Highly recommended for anyone in need of reliable technical support!

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the MA-Relay different from standard motor protection relays?

Unlike conventional overload relays that only trip on current thresholds, the MA-Relay offers full-spectrum intelligent protection monitoring overloads, phase loss, voltage irregularities, earth faults, and temperature conditions in real time. It combines advanced diagnostics with PLC-ready communication, enabling predictive maintenance and faster fault resolution across industrial systems.

Can the MA-Relay integrate with existing PLC and SCADA systems?
Yes. The MA-Relay supports multiple communication protocols, including MODBUS RTU, PROFIBUS, CANBUS, and Ethernet/PROFINET/Modbus TCP/Ethernet IP, allowing seamless integration with virtually any modern PLC or SCADA network. This makes it ideal for Industry 4.0 plants looking to centralize control and data monitoring.
How does the MA-Relay protect motors in pump and conveyor applications?

For pump and conveyor systems, the MA-Relay’s Load Loss Protection detects flow or pressure drops (such as dry running or jammed loads) and disconnects power to prevent mechanical damage. Its Overload and Unbalanced Current Protection features further ensure that motors don’t operate under unsafe or inefficient conditions, reducing downtime and extending equipment life.

What industries benefit most from using the MA-Relay?
The MA-Relay is widely used across mining, water treatment, manufacturing, and processing plants. It’s engineered for rugged South African conditions, making it reliable for heavy-duty, high-load, and continuous operation environments where motor downtime can cost millions per hour.
How do I select the right MA-Relay model for my application?

Each MA-Relay model is designed for a specific current range and application type:

  • MA-05 to MA-25: Compact solutions for small drives, control panels, and light manufacturing.

  • MA-50 to MA-100: Mid-range for pumps, conveyors, and mixers.

  • MA-250 to MA-300: Heavy-duty protection for mining and large processing motors.

Refer to the model selection guide or contact NewElec’s engineering team for assistance with sizing and configuration.

About the BBRTU Communication Module

The BBRTU (Base Board Remote Terminal Unit) is the intelligent backbone that makes every MA-Relay communication-ready.
It allows flexible configuration, firmware upgrades, and modular integration with your preferred industrial network.

Key BBRTU Advantages:

Modular Design
Choose your communication protocol (CANBUS, Modbus RTU, Profibus, or Ethernet) without replacing the relay.

Plug-and-Play Connectivity
Simplifies wiring and installation within MCC panels or distributed control systems.

Data Logging & Diagnostics
Enables time-stamped event data and current/fault history to support predictive maintenance.

Firmware Upgradable
Ensures future compatibility and scalability as plant systems evolve.

Seamless PLC Integration
Supports direct communication with Siemens, Allen-Bradley, and Schneider controllers for complete interoperability.

Whether you need basic serial control or full networked monitoring, the BBRTU gives your MA-Relay the flexibility to adapt to any plant environment.

MA Series Electronic Motor Protection Deep Dive for Mining

Download Our MA Series Deep Dive Guide

Complete the form below to gain access to learn more about how the MA Series can Optimise Operational Resilience in the Mining Sector.


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