A guide to using our
multifunction transducers and
meters as programmable
monitoring relays
Important:
For devices that have solid-state relay outputs, please read the
following information -
When a relay is de-energised, the energy stored in its coil can create a spike of several
hundred volts.
Any device that uses solid-state relays are susceptible to being damaged by voltage spikes
generated by inductive loads. Therefore, relay coils and similar inductive loads must be
suppressed to limit the voltage spikes to below 80V.
The selection of diodes and other components depends on the coil’s operating current.
The table below shows some of the circuits that can be used and their advantages and
disadvantages.
Zener-Zener protection: (Recommended)
No polarisation required, has very little effect on release time and contact bounce
on break, has no effect on relay power and very little reduction of relay life but can
have temperature problems.
Zener-Diode protection:
Can have temperature problems, has very little effect on release time and contact
bounce on break, has no effect on relay power, very little reduction of relay life and
has to be polarised.
Varistor protection:
No polarisation required, no temperature problems, has a small effect on release
time and contact bounce on break, has no effect on relay power and a small
reduction of relay life.
Resistor-Capacitor protection:
No polarisation required, can have temperature problems, has very large effect on
release time and contact bounce on break, has no effect on relay power and very
large reduction of relay life.
Diode protection:
Polarisation required, can have temperature problems, has an excessive effect on
release time and contact bounce on break, has no effect on relay power and an
excessive reduction of relay life.
MultiView
The MultiView program displays all parameters being measured.
CT and VT ratios, demand times etc. can all be set using the program and simple data logging
can be done.
It can also be used to program the internal relay to function as a set-point relay or an energy
type.
MultiView is free and contains help files and operating instructions. It can be downloaded
from our website.
Type Voltage Current Monitor
Displays system type Voltage and Current ratios Display 18 parameters at
i.e. 3 phase 4 wire, can be programmed and the a time, showing the
3 phase 3 wire values are displayed. instantaneous value.
etc.
Node
Node (address) can be set
between 1 and 247.
Response Time
User can set response time.
Log Start
Enables a user to log the
first twelve measurements
displayed
Relay Setup
Change the function
of the relay
Reset Pass-Code Relay Status
Energy and Demand Enter pass-code to Display the state and
enable programming function of the relay
registers can be reset
MultiRail (Example) Relay Setup (Example)
The MultiRail (M880) is a combined multifunction The relay in the M880, M550, M553,
meter and programmable relay. M560 and the three relays in the M570
The RS485 (Modbus) port provides communication allow eight different parameters to be
between the M880 and MultiView. assigned to each.
Any eight of the nineteen measured parameters can Programming using MultiView or directly
be assigned to the relay as a set-point. When a using Modbus enables the set-point,
monitored measurement in any channel reaches its time delay, differential etc. to be
set-point an exception is generated and the relay is programmed for each parameter being
activated. The relay stays in the active state until all monitored. The relay can also be used
channels have been restored to normal (exclusively) as a pulsed output for
measurements. energy. The Status of the channels can
Also when an exception is generated the M880’s be displayed by MultiView and can also
display can be programmed to change colour. be monitored using Modbus.
Parameters Relay Mode Trip (% Range) Reset (% Range)
19 different parameters The relay can be assigned The trip-point (set-point) The reset (differential) can
can be assigned to the so that it operates as can be adjusted between 1 be adjusted between 1 and
relays. an over, under or and 250% of nominal input. 250% of nominal input.
window type.
Group Logic Time Delay Alarm Colour (M880) Relay Action
Allows the relay to trip on The time delay can be The back-light of the M880 The relay can be
1, 2, 3 phases, the sum or set between 0 seconds to can be set to change colour programmed to energise on
the average of the systems 30 minutes in 1 second on a relay trip point. trip or de-energise on trip.
assigned parameter when steps.
limits are reached.
Before set point reached After set point reach
Using the relay for energy pulsed output Relay Channel Status
The relay can be set up to be used as an energy MultiView can display the status of each channel
relay providing a pulsed output corresponding to as well as showing the parameters assigned to the
any energy counter that the device has. relay.
Pulse width from 0 to 200ms can be selected The exception status for each channel can be seen
as well as a relay divisor. In some devices the on the previous page. It shows that when an
divisor can be used as a multiplier. exception is active the corresponding box for the
channel is a solid colour.
N.B. The status screen below shows that the relay is
When the relay is used as an energy relay all now an energy type.
other channels will be disabled and the set-point
function will not be operational. (apart from the
M570 which has more than one relay)
Select Parameter Units State Reference Under/Over/Window
Select The pulsed output will Key to relay channel Over condition red band
W.h import/export, depend on the C.T. and status Under condition green band
VAr.h import/export V.T. ratios of the system Window condition blue band
VA.h or A.h and the energy divisors
Relay Mode Energy Counters Dis Exception status
Assigns the relay to an Set the energy counter If a parameter is not Displays the measurement
energy type. divider or multiplier of assigned, the box will being monitored, time
Pulse width sets the any energy register contain an ‘X’ (disabled) delay, differential, status
width of relay pulse and the relay the channel
is attached to
