The MEC-1 is an electrical protection relay designed for operation in metalliferous mining applications.
It provides earth continuity protection functions that ensure the electrical distribution system in the mine operates safely in accordance with AS/NZS 2081:2011, ensuring the integrity of the earth connection through a trailing or reeling cable is maintained. Earth Continuity protection is another layer of protection that, along with earth leakage protection, can help keep step and touch voltage potentials at a safe level by ensuring the earth resistance is below a determined safe level.
Typically the MEC-1 relay will be connected to the pilot conductor of a trailing or reeling cable. With the pilot conductor terminated to earth through a diode, the relay measures the resistance of the pilot-earth loop (series resistance), to ensure the integrity of the earth conductors, and the pilot to earth resistance (shunt resistance), to ensure the integrity of the pilot-earth loop. If either the series resistance exceeds, or the shunt resistance falls below, the configured settings, a trip will remove power.
The MEC-1 relay is based on microprocessor digital logic, and features a user friendly LED and switch interface. It is installed within a compact, DIN rail mounted unit with pluggable connectors for easy change out if required.
The MEC-1 is a cost-effective earth continuity relay solution, designed for the metalliferous market. The relay continually monitors the integrity of the earth connection in a mining trailing or reeling cable and is normally installed in a substation or distribution box.
