P R OT E C T I O N

Type MFAC
High Impedance
Differential Relay

MFAC relays provide high speed differential

protection for various types of power system plant
including generators, reactors, busbars, motors and
the individual windings of power transformers.

The single element version, Type MFAC 14, is

applied when protection is required for earth faults
only.

Applications for protecting power transformer

windings are shown in Figure 1.

The three element version, Type MFAC 34, provides

both phase and earth fault protection. A typical
application for generator protection is shown in
Figure 2.

An external Metrosil unit having a non-linear

resistance characteristic is recommended for each
relay element, to limit the peak voltage appearing
across the secondary differential circuits under
internal fault conditions.

DESCRIPTION

The relay measuring element is an attracted armature unit of simple and robust
construction, supplied from a bridge rectifier. Settings are determined by a series of
resistors, selected on a seven-way plug bridge. Relays with a fine control facility
have an additional plug bridge, which is calibrated in intermediate settings. An
overall setting is obtained by adding together each plug bridge reading. A capacitor
is connected in series with the operating coil to make the relay insensitive to the dc
component of fault current. The setting voltage can thus be calculated in terms of
rms alternating quantities without regard for the degree of offset produced by the
point by wave at which the fault occurs. A reactor connected in series with the
capacitor forms a resonant circuit tuned to the relay rated frequency.

APPLICATION

When circulating current protection schemes are subjected to through faults, the
Customer Benefits
sudden and often asymmetrical growth in the system current can cause the line
High speed operation current transformers to reach saturation. In this condition, variation in transformer
Wide range of settings magnetising characteristics can cause large ratio errors with a consequent circuit
Simple application imbalance and maloperation of the protective relays.
technique To ensure stability, it is common practice to employ high impedance relays set to
High stability for operate at a slightly higher voltage than that developed in the worst theoretical case
through faults of this condition for a given through fault current. On a balanced earth fault system
Compact robust design for example, this is when one current transformer of a group is saturated whilst the
others remain unaffected.
The saturated transformer presents a low impedance path in parallel with the relay
and limits the voltage applied. On internal faults this limitation does not exist and
voltages of twice the setting are easily reached.

AREVA T&D
 Power transformer

External
metrosil unit

28 27 MFAC14

28 27
6 6
1 1
R1 R9b
5 5
2 2
R7
4 4
7 7
R9a 3 3
8 8
R10 R6 MFAC14
Metrosil included for
higher relay (measuring circuit as shown
setting range for other relay)
R7 to R10 extra plug bridge when fitted
R9a 15V to 185V version only
R9b 100V to 400V version only, in series with variable resistor
Figure 1 Type MFAC 14 relays applied to restricted earth fault protection of power transfromer windings

EXTERNAL METROSIL UNITS The constant (C) and the index () are nominally fixed
for a particular Metrosil design.
Single element or three element Metrosil Units are
provided with single element or three element relays Hence, when a sinusoidal voltage is applied across the
respectively. Metrosil, the RMS current drawn by the Metrosil is
The type of Metrosil characteristic differs for each of given by:
the alternative relay setting ranges.
The nominal characteristic for a Metrosil unit is
conventionally of the form V = CI, specified in dc
(
I(RMS) = 0.52 2 V1
c ) 1/

quantities for convenience in some applications and

also to facilitate testing in manufacture. V1 = voltage (V, RMS sinusoidal)

This approximates the circuit conditions at the voltage

Figure 2 Type MFAC 34 relay applied to phase and
setting. Details of the alternative Metrosil designs used
earth fault protection of a generator
with MFAC relays are given in the Technical Data
Generator stator windings section.

External
metrosil
units
23 25 27
A B C
24 26 27

1
2

4
3
Reliable and Secure
MFAC34
(Measuring circuit per element as shown High Impedance
Unit protection
in Figure 2.)

2>3
TECHNICAL DATA > Contact ratings

Make and carry ac 1250VA with maxima of 5A

> Rated frequency 50/60Hz
continuously and 660V
> Operating time dc 1250W with maxima of 5A
The operating time characteristics are shown and 660V
in Figures 3 & 4 Make and carry ac 7500VA
> Operating current for 3 seconds with maxima of 30A
and 660V
Setting Setting Nominal
dc 7500W with maxima of 30A
range selections operate current
and 660V
for relay alone:
Break ac 1250VA with maxima of 5A
15 to 185V 35 equal 5V steps 38mA at setting
and 660V
25 to 175V 7 equal 25V steps 19mA at setting
25 to 325V 7 equal 50V steps 19mA at setting dc 100W (resistive)
100 to 400V 7 equal 50V steps 19mA at setting 50W (inductive)
with maxima of 5A
> Metrosil characteristics and 660V

Standard with a single 152.4mm disc per element > Durability

(maximum secondary internal fault current <50A
[RMS]) Load contact 10,000 operations minimum
Unloaded contact 100,000 operation minimum
Relay Setting Range Nominal characteristics
C > Operation indicator
15V to 185V 450 0.25
25V to 175V 450 0.25 A hand reset operation indicator is fitted to each
25V to 325V 900 0.25 element as standard.
100V to 400V 1100 0.25
> Current transformer requirements
Each characteristic is shown graphically in detail in
Type MFAC relays are suitable for use with 0.5A, 1A
Figure 5.
and 5A current transformers, at 50Hz or 60Hz. Since
selection of the optimum relay setting is based on the
> Contacts
loop resistance of the secondary circuit, there are
Four pairs of make self-resetting contacts are provided advantages in using current transformers with either of
on single element relays and two on three element the lower secondary ratings.
relays. In three element relays the contacts are
connected in parallel, as shown in Figure 2, or brought The current transformers used in high impedance
to separate case terminals if required. circulating current differential protection systems must
be equal turns ratio and have reasonably low
secondary winding resistance. The knee-point voltage
is defined as the point on the magnetisation curve at
which a 10% increase in excitation voltage produces a
Figure 3 Typical time operating characteristics 50% increase in excitation current. For use with type
MFAC relays the knee-point voltage (Vk) should be at
least twice the voltage setting, thus Vk = 2Vs actual.

70 140
130
Minimum
60 120
setting
110
Operating time (ms)

Figure 4
50 100
Typical time operating
Operating time (ms)

90 characteristics for
80 15-185V relays only
40
70
30 60
50
20 Minimum 40
setting 30
10 20
Maximum Maximum
setting 10
setting
0 2 4 6 8 10 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Applied voltage (x setting) Applied voltage (x setting)
 > Selection of optimum relay setting
100 The required voltage setting (Vs) is calculated using
the formula:
Vs = If (Rct + 2RW) volts
n
where
10 If = maximum primary through fault
current for which stability is required
(A rms)
n = current transformer turns ratio
Current (A rms)

Rct = current transformer secondary

1 winding resistance (ohms)
RW = resistance of each lead between the
relay and current transformer (ohms)

A value of Vs is calculated for each current transformer

circuit in the differential system, and the relay setting
0.1 finally chosen (Vs actual) is made equal to, or nearest
above the highest of these calculated values.

> Effective primary operating current

0.01
0.001
10 100 1000
Voltage (V, RMS sinusoidal)
(Tolerance 10%)
Metrosils used with relay
setting range 25/175V and 25/185V
Metrosils used with relay
setting range 25/325V
Metrosils used with relay
setting range 100/400V
During internal fault conditions, the relay and Metrosil
current and the magnetising current of all connected
current transformers is supplied from fault current. The
primary operating current is given by:
Iop = n (IR + NIm)
Where
IR = relay operating current and Metrosil
current at setting voltage, as given in
10000 the table below
Im = current transformer magnetising
current at setting voltage (A)
N = number of connected current
transformers
n = current transformer turns ratio
Figure 5
Nominal and extreme ac Characteristics
of external Metrosils for use with MFAC relays

Setting Range (V) 15 50 75 100 125 150 175 185

IR Nominal (mA) 38 38 39 42 46 55 72 81
Limits (mA) 37 - 39 37 - 39 37 - 42 38 - 47 39 - 58 43 - 79 52 - 114 62 - 125
Setting Range (V) 25 50 75 100 125 150 175
IR Nominal (mA) 19 19 20 23 27 36 53
Limits (mA) 18 - 20 18 - 20 18 - 23 19 - 28 20 - 39 24 - 60 33 - 95
Setting Range (V) 25 75 125 175 225 275 325
IR Nominal (mA) 19 19 20 22 24 31 44
Limits (mA) 18 - 20 18 - 20 18 - 22 19 - 25 19 - 33 22 - 48 28 -76
Main setting range (v) 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
IR Nominal (mA) 19 19 20 20 23 27 36
Limits (mA) 18 - 20 18 - 20 18 - 23 18 - 23 19 - 28 20 - 39 24 - 60

Should the natural effective operating current after applying the above formula be lower than designed,
it can be raised to the required level by adding a shunt resistor across the differential relay input circuit.

4>5
> Thermal withstand ratings

Continuous Ratings : MFAC Relays

Relay Setting Range: 15 - 185V and 25 - 175V
Continuous Rating: 2x the selected setting

Relay Setting Range 25 - 325V

Setting 25 75 125 175 225 275 325
Continuous Rating As multiple of setting 2 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.6 1.5
As voltage 50 128 213 297 383 440 487
Relay Setting Range 100 - 400V
Setting 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Continuous Rating As multiple of setting 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.65 1.55 1.5 1.45
As voltage 170 255 340 413 465 525 580

> Continuous Ratings - Metrosil Units (Standard, > High voltage withstand
with single 152.4mm disc per element)
Dielectric withstand 2kV rms for 1 minute
'C' characteristic Continuous rating (V) IEC 60255-5:1977 between all terminals
450 225 and case earth
900 400 2kV rms for 1 minute
1100 480 between terminals of
independent circuits,
> Short-time rating - Metrosil Unit: with terminals on each
independent circuit
Metrosil 'C' Short time connected together
arrangement characteristic rating 1kV rms for 1 minute
Standard across open contacts
Single 152.4mm 450 22A for 3s of output relays
disc per element, 45A for 1s
High voltage impulse Three positive and three
(maximum
IEC 60255-5:1977 negative impulses of
secondary internal
5kV peak, 1.2/50s, 0.5
fault current <50A 900 17A for 3s
between all terminals of
[RMS]) 39A for 1s
the same circuit (except
Each element 900 30A for 3s
output contacts),
comprising two 90A for 1s
independent circuits, and
special discs
all terminals connected
in parallel
together and case earth.
Single 152.4mm 1100 19A for 3s
disc per element, 26A for 2s
(maximum *46A for 1s
secondary interval
fault current <30A
[RMS])
* At this level the maximum protection level
is 3400V peak

The Metrosil unit is the limiting component with respect

to short time rating. Where higher ratings are required,
special Metrosil units can be provided with more discs
in parallel per element, to suit a particular application.

Simple to Set -
Simple to Use
 Insulating Spacer

M6 ISO Terminals

101 M12 ISO Stud

152

107

178 2mm - 7mm Fixing Holes

1907
All dimensions in mm 240
25.4
Figure 6 Outlines external Metrosil units

> Electrical environment > Metrosils

EMC compliance Compliance with the The outline and mounting arrangement drawing for the external
European Commission Metrosils units is shown in Figure 6.
89/336/EEC Directive on EMC is
claimed via the Technical > Cases
Construction File route.
Type MFAC 14 (single element) and MFAC 34 (three element)
EN 50081-2:1994 Generic standards were relays are supplied in 15TE (size 3) and 30TE (size 6) cases
EN 50082-2:1995 used to establish respectively. These are shown in Figures 7 and 8.
conformity
Product safety Compliance with the 26
European Commission 4 holes 4.4 23.5
71
73/23/EEC Low voltage directive
claimed via the Technical
Construction File route. 168 159

EN61010-1:1993/A2:1995
EN60950:1992/A11:1997
Push button 73
Compliance is demonstrated by reference to projection 10 max
Panel cut-out:
generic safety standard Flush mounting fixing details

32 212 25 min.

> Atmospheric environment

Temperature Storage and transit 177 157 max.

IEC 60255-6:1988 -25C to +70C
Operating -25C to +55C Reset

IEC 60068-2-1:1990 Cold 77 Flush mounting

IEC 600680-2-2:1974 Dry heat All dimensions in mm

Humidity 56 days at 93% RH

IEC 68-2-3:1969 and +40C Figure 7 Case outline 15TE (size 3)
Enclosure protection IP50 (dust protected)
IEC 60529:1989 103.6
149
4 holes 4.4 24

> Mechanical environment

Vibration Response Class 1 168 159

IEC 60255-21-1:1998

Push button 151

projection 10 max
Panel cut-out:
Flush mounting fixing details

32 212 25 min.

Figure 8
Case outline 30TE (size 6)
177 157 max.

Reset

155 Flush mounting 11

All dimensions in mm

6>7
INFORMATION REQUIRED WITH ORDER

Relay Type MFAC 4 1

Number of Elements
One 1
Three 3
Case Size
15TE (Size 3) Case for MFAC14 only S
30TE (Size 6) Case for MFAC34 only V
Rated Frequency
50Hz A
60Hz B
Voltage Setting Range
25 175 Vac A
25 325 Vac B
15 185 Vac (MFAC14 only) C
100 400 Vac D
Metrosil & Contact Wiring
Without Metrosil (Common contacts) * 0 1 0 1
Without Metrosil (Segregated contacts) * 3 1 0 1
Standard 152.4mm Metrosil (Common contacts) 0 0 0 1
Standard 152.4mm Metrosil (Segregated contacts) 3 0 0 1
Hardware Issue Suffix
Factory Defined

* It is always recommended that Metrosil (non-linear resistors) be fitted with MFAC relays to protect the relay, wiring and CTs
against high voltages present during fault conditions.
Other Metrosil types are available - contact your local representative for further details.

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www.areva-td.com/protectionrelays
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DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION
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