Types MCTI 14, 15, 34, 35, 44

Instantaneous Overcurrent and Undercurrent Relays

for Phase and Earth Fault Applications

Publication R6123B
Midos Types MCTI 14, 15, 34, 35, 44
Instantaneous Overcurrent and
Undercurrent Relays for Phase and
Earth Fault Applications

Features
● Wide setting range
● Tuned filter rejects all but
fundamental frequency
● Low ac and dc burden
● Non volatile led indication on
overcurrent versions
● High pick up/drop off ratio
● High speed operation

Figure 1: MCTI relay withdrawn from case.

Models available Applications

MCTI 14 Single phase instantaneous The MCTI 14, MCTI 34 and MCTI 44
overcurrent or earth fault are instantaneous overcurrent relays
relay suitable for instantaneous highset and
MCTI 34 Three phase instantaneous lowset overcurrent protection, and
overcurrent relay circulating current protection.
The MCTI 15, and MCTI 35 are
MCTI 44 Three phase and earth fault
undercurrent versions of the MCTI 14
instantaneous overcurrent
and MCTI 34 relays.
relay
When circulating current schemes are
MCTI 15 Single phase instantaneous
subjected to heavy through faults, the
undercurrent relay
sudden and often asymmetrical
MCTI 35 Three phase instantaneous growth in the system current can
undercurrent relay cause the protective current
transformers to approach or even
reach saturation level. Because of the
variations in the magnetising
characteristics of the transformers a
high unbalance current may result.
To ensure stability under these
conditions, it is modern practice to
use a voltage operated high

2
impedance relay set to operate at a Description Two level detectors are used to
voltage slightly higher than that compare the positive and negative
developed by the current transformers The MCTI 15, MCTI 35, MCTI 14, halves of the waveform from the filter,
under maximum external fault MCTI 34 and MCTI 44 relays utilise a with a preset level. The summed
conditions. switch mode power supply to give a output of the level detectors is used to
low quiescent drain on the supply charge a CR circuit, the maximum
The MCTI 14 single or earth fault
over a wide voltage range. voltage on the capacitor of this circuit
relay or MCTI 34 three phase relay,
when used with a stabilizing resistor The relays incorporate both ac and dc is therefore dependent on the time the
is designed for applications where inputs; if the relay is powered by an output of the filter is above one
sensitive settings with stability on ac and dc supply the relay will take its voltage threshold or below a second
heavy through faults are required. load from the ac supply if the rms voltage threshold, both of which are
value of the ac supply is greater than derived from the voltage reference
The MCTI 14 and MCTI 34 relays are
the dc voltage, therefore it is possible Vref. When the voltage on the
recommended for balanced and
to have a zero quiescent load on the capacitor exceeds Vref the output of
restricted earth fault bus, zone and
battery supply by utilising the ac the threshold detector gives an output
certain forms of differential protection
supply. The input filter is used to clean and operates the element, which then
for generators, auto transformers,
the incoming supply of high voltage operates the appropriate output relay
reactors and motors.
transients. or relays. The output signal is fed
The total impedance of the relay and back to alter the voltage threshold
Each input to these relays has a
series stabilizing resistor is usually low levels which gives a small amount of
separate instantaneous element. The
enough to prevent the current hysteresis.
output of the relay's CTs flows into the
transformers developing voltages over
selected setting resistors to generate a Overcurrent versions of the relay
2kV during maximum internal faults,
voltage signal proportional to the (MCTI 14, MCTI 34, MCTI 44) are
but in some applications a non-linear
input current. This is then passed calibrated such that the output relays
resistor is required to limit this voltage.
through a band pass filter tuned to operate at the setting current. When
The MCTI 15 and MCTI 35 reject all but the fundamental an element operates, a latching relay
undercurrent relays are suitable for frequency. (The typical frequency which supplies the power to the
applications where the setting current response of the relay is shown in appropriate trip led is set. The
is below the level of the normal load Figure 2.) By filtering out the latching relay is used as a memory
current. Under these conditions the harmonics the measuring element is element to ensure that the loss of the
output relays are normally energised presented with a cleaner waveform auxiliary supply does not result in the
and the relay can continuously which gives the relay a high stability loss of trip indication.
withstand twice rated current. level when used in circulating current Undercurrent versions of the relay
schemes. (MCTI 15, MCTI 35) are identical to
the overcurrent versions with the
following exceptions: the relay is
calibrated such that the output relays
reset at the setting current; the
normally open output contacts are
changed to normally closed
(changeover contacts are unchanged);
there are no led trip indicators; and in
the case of the MCTI 35 there is only
one output relay.

3
 6.0

5.5

5.0
Pick up current (Multiple of setting)

4.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
20 30 50 70 100 200 300

Frequency (Hz)

Figure 2: Typical frequency response characteristic

P1 P2 A
A
S1 S2
B

C C B
See Note 3 Phase rotation

∑
.05 RL1
2
1

Case earth
V ref
1 2 RL2
2
4 27
f(a>b)
5 6 a
Is ∫ f(a>b)

28
b
1 a
b
RL3
1
9 10
13 f(a<b) 6
+VE a
Vx b RL1–1 2
13 14 14
–VE Power
4
15 16 supply
9 circuits RL1–2 1
17 18
V AC 10
MCTI 14 5
19 20
Output
21 22 20 contacts
RL2–1 17
23 24 Case earth
see Note 2 19
25 26
Notes 1. (a) CT shorting links make RL2–2 15
27 28 before (b) and (c) disconnect.
16
(b) Short terminals break before (c).
(c) Long terminals.
Module terminal
block viewed 2. Earthing connections as shown are typical only.
from rear 3. CT connections are typical only.

Figure 3: Application diagram – MCTI 14 single phase instantaneous overcurrent relay

4
 P2 P1 A
A
S2 S1
B

C C B
See Note 3 Phase rotation

∑
P2 RL1
.05
2
S2 1

Case earth V ref

RL2
S1
1 2 R 2
P1 27
4 f(a>b)
a
Is ∫ f(a>b)
5 6
28
b
1 a
b
RL3
1
9 10 13 f(a<b) 6
+VE a
Vx b RL1–1 2
14
13 14 –VE Power
4
supply
15 16 9 circuits RL1–2 1
17 18 V AC 10
MCTI 14 5
19 20 Output
20 contacts
21 22
Case earth RL2–1 17
see Note 2
23 24 19
25 26 Notes 1. (a) CT shorting links make RL2–2 15
before (b) and (c) disconnect.
27 28 16
(b) Short terminals break before (c).
(c) Long terminals.
Module terminal 2. Earthing connections as shown are typical only.
block viewed 3. CT connections are typical only.
from rear

Figure 4: Application diagram – MCTI 14 single phase instantaneous overcurrent relay used for restricted earth fault protection
5
6

P1 P2 A
A
S1 S2
B

C C B
See Note 3 Phase rotation

∑
.05
1

Case earth V ref

RL1
1 2 2
27
4 f(a>b)
a
Is ∫ f(a>b)
5 6
28
b
1 a
b
RL2
2
9 10 13 f(a<b) 6
+VE a
Vx b RL1–1 2
14
13 14 –VE Power
4
supply
15 16 9 circuits RL1–2 1
17 18 V AC 10
MCTI 15 5
19 20 Output
20 contacts
21 22
Case earth RL2–1 17
see Note 2
23 24 19
25 26 Notes 1. (a) CT shorting links make RL2–2 15
before (b) and (c) disconnect.
27 28 16
(b) Short terminals break before (c).
(c) Long terminals.
Module terminal 2. Earthing connections as shown are typical only.
block viewed 3. CT connections are typical only.
from rear

Figure 5: Application diagram – MCTI 15 single phase instantaneous undercurrent relay

 P1 P2 A
A
∑
S1 S2 RL1
B .05
2
C C B 1
See Note 3 Phase rotation V ref
1 RL2
2
21
f(a>b)
a
Is ∫ f(a>b)

22
b
1 a
b
RL3
1
f(a<b)
a
Case earth
b
1 2
4 ∑
5 6 .05
1
V ref
9 10
RL4
23 1
f(a>b)
13 14 a
Is ∫ f(a>b)
15 16
24
b
1 a
b
6
RL1–1 2
17 18 13 f(a<b)
+VE a 4
19 20 Vx 14 b
–VE Power
21 22 supply RL1–2 1
9
circuits 5
23 24 V AC 10 ∑ Output
.05 20 contacts
25 26 MCTI 34
1 RL2–1 17
27 28 V ref 19

RL2–2 15
25
Module terminal f(a>b)
block viewed a 16
Is ∫ f(a>b)
from rear
26
b
1 a
b
f(a<b)
a RL5
Case earth b 1
see Note 2

Notes 1. (a) CT shorting links make 2. Earthing connections as shown are typical only.
before (b) and (c) disconnect. 3. CT connections are typical only.
(b) Short terminals break before (c).
(c) Long terminals.

Figure 6: Application diagram – MCTI 34 three phase instantaneous overcurrent relay

7
8

P1 P2 P2 P1
A A
∑
S1 S2 S2 S1 RL1
B G B .05
2
C C 1
See Note 3 V ref

RA
1 RL2
2
21
f(a>b)
a
Is ∫ f(a>b)

A 22
b
1 a
b
RL3
1
f(a<b) 6
a
RL1–1 2
b
C B
4
Phase rotation
∑ RL1–2 1
.05 5
1
Case earth
V ref
1 2
4 RB 23
f(a>b) Output
a
5 6 Is ∫ f(a>b) contacts

24
b
1 a
b
RL4
1
9 10 13 f(a<b)
+VE a
Vx 14 b 20
–VE Power
13 14 9 supply RL2–1 17
circuits
15 16 V AC 10 ∑ 19

17 18 .05 RL2–2 15
MCTI 34
19 20
1 16
V ref
21 22

23 24 RC 25
f(a>b)
a
25 26 Is ∫ f(a>b)

27 28 26
b
1 a
b
RL5
1
f(a<b)
a
Case earth b
Module terminal see Note 2
block viewed
from rear

Notes 1. (a) CT shorting links make 2. Earthing connections as shown are typical only.
before (b) and (c) disconnect. 3. CT connections are typical only.
(b) Short terminals break before (c).
(c) Long terminals.

Figure 7: Application diagram – MCTI 34 three phase instantaneous overcurrent relay used for differential generator protection
 P1 P2 A
A
∑
S1 S2
B .05
C B 1
C
See Note 3 Phase rotation V ref

21
f(a>b)
a
Is ∫ f(a>b)

22
b
1 a
b 1 RL1
f(a<b) 2
a
Case earth
b
1 2
4 ∑
5 6 .05
1
V ref
9 10

23
f(a>b)
13 14 a 6
Is ∫ f(a>b)
15 16
24
b
1 a
b
RL1–1 2

17 18 f(a<b) 4
13 Output
+VE a contacts
19 20 RL1–2 1
Vx 14 b
–VE Power
21 22 5
9 supply
circuits
23 24 V AC 10 ∑
.05
25 26 MCTI 35
1
27 28
V ref

25
Module terminal f(a>b)
block viewed a
Is ∫ f(a>b)
from rear
26
b
1 a
b
f(a<b)
a
Case earth b
see Note 2

Notes 1. (a) CT shorting links make 2. Earthing connections as shown are typical only.
before (b) and (c) disconnect. 3. CT connections are typical only.
(b) Short terminals break before (c).
(c) Long terminals.

Figure 8: Application diagram – MCTI 35 three phase instantaneous undercurrent relay

9
10

P1 P2 A ∑
A
S1 S2 .05
B 1
C C B V ref
See Note 3 Phase rotation 1 RL1
21 2
f(a>b)
a
Is ∫ f(a>b)
22
b
1 a
b
RL3
1
f(a<b)
a
b

∑
.05
1
V ref

23
f(a>b)
a
Is ∫ f(a>b)
24
b
1 a
b
RL4 6
1 RL1–1 2
f(a<b)
a
4
b
RL1–2 1
Case earth ∑ 5

1 2 .05 Output
1 20 contacts
4
V ref RL2–1 17
5 6
19
25
f(a>b) RL2–2 15
9 10 a
Is ∫ f(a>b)
26
b
1 a
b
RL5
16
1
13 14 13 f(a<b)
+VE a
15 16 Vx 14
Power b
–VE
17 18 9 supply
circuits
19 20 V AC 10 ∑
.05
21 22 MCTI 44
1
23 24 V ref
RL2
25 26
2
27
27 28 f(a>b)
a
Is ∫ f(a>b)
28
b
1 a
b
RL6
Module terminal 1
block viewed f(a<b)
a
from rear Case earth b
see Note 2

Notes 1. (a) CT shorting links make 2. Earthing connections as shown are typical only.
before (b) and (c) disconnect. 3. CT connections are typical only.
(b) Short terminals break before (c).
(c) Long terminals.

Figure 9: Application diagram – MCTI 44 three phase and earth fault instantaneous overcurrent relay
Technical Data

Ratings
AC current (In) 1A or 5A
Frequency 50Hz and 60Hz
Auxiliary supply
dc (Vx1) 24/54V, 48/125V or 110/250V
ac (Vx2) 24V, 48/63.9V or 100/120V
Burdens
AC burden Less than 0.25VA for 1A relays and
less than 0.5VA for 5A relays at unity
power factor and at rated current on
any setting.
The impedance of the relays over the
whole of the setting range 5% to
322.5% or 50% to 3225% rated
current, is less than 0.25Ω for 1A
relays and less than 0.02Ω for 5A
relays and is independent of current.
DC auxiliary supply Maximum burdens over full operative
range
Quiescent MCTI 14, 15 34, 35 44
V W W W
24/54 1 1.5 1.5
48/125 1.5 1.5 2
110/250 2.5 3 3
With both outputs operated 24/54 3.5 4.5 5
48/125 3.5 4.5 5
110/250 5 6 6
AC auxiliary supply Maximum burdens over full
operative range.
Quiescent MCTI 14, 15 34, 35 44
V VA VA VA
24 2 3 3.5
48/69.3 4 4.5 5
100/120 6.5 7 7
With both outputs operated MCTI 14, 15 34, 35 44
V VA VA VA
24 6 8 9
48/69.3 8 10 12
100/120 11 13 14

Setting ranges 5% to 322.5% In in 2.5% steps (K=1)

50% to 3225% In in 25% steps
(K=10)
Note: 50% to 3225% In range
available on overcurrent versions
only.

Operating time Typically less than 15ms at 5 x Is or

greater.
Typically less than 30ms at current
multiples between 1.1 x Is to 5 x Is.

11
 Accuracy reference conditions
Current setting (Is) 5% to 322.5% In for K=1 relays
50% to 3225% In for K=10 relays
Ambient temperature 20˚C
Frequency 50Hz or 60Hz
DC auxiliary voltage 19V to 72V
37V to 150V
87V to 300V
AC auxiliary voltage 19.2V to 28.8V
38.4V to 83.2V
80V to 144V

Accuracy – influencing quantities

Ambient temperature
Operative range –25˚C to +55°C
Variation in setting current ±2%
Frequency
Operative range 47 to 52Hz or 57 to 62Hz
Variation in setting current ±5%
DC auxiliary voltage Vx1 (V) Operative range (V)
24/54 19 to 72
48/54 37 to 150
110/125 87 to 300
Variation in setting current ±2%
AC auxiliary voltage Vx2 (V) Operative range (V)
24 19.2 to 28.8
48/69.3 38.4 to 83.2
100/120 80 to 144
Variation in setting current ±2%

Accuracy – general
Current setting ±5% of Is
Repeatability
Setting current better than ±1%
Resetting current greater than 95% of pick up current
Resetting and disengaging times typically less than 40ms
Transient overreach
at 50Hz for system time
constants less than 100ms 6.5%
at 60Hz for system time
constants less than 100ms 13%

Thermal withstand
Continuous withstand
outputs de-energised 2.4 x In all versions
Continuous withstand
outputs energised 2.4 x In for MCTI 14
2.0 x In for MCTI 15 and MCTI 35
1.0 x In for MCTI 34 and MCTI 44
Short time withstand For 1s: 100 x I n with 400A maximum
For 3s: 57x In with 230A maximum

12
Operation indicators A green led is used to indicate volts
are present on the relay and the
internal dc/dc converter is operating.
Each instantaneous element in an
overcurrent version of the relay has a
red led trip indicator. A latching relay
is used to remember the state of the
trip indicator to ensure the trip state is
not lost if the power to the relay fails.
The reset push button on the front
plate resets all trip led indicators.

Contacts
MCTI 14 and MCTI 34 2 changeover and 2 normally open
MCTI 44 phase 1 changeover and 1 normally open
earth fault 1 changeover and 1 normally open
MCTI 15 phase 2 changeover and 2 normally closed
MCTI 35 phase 1 changeover and 1 normally closed

Contact ratings
Make and carry for 0.2s 7500VA subject to maxima of 30A
and 300V ac or dc
Carry continuously 5A ac or dc
Break ac 1250VA
dc 50W resistive
25W, L/R = 40ms subject to
maxima of 5A and 300V

Voltage withstand
Insulation
IEC 255–5 2kV rms for 1 minute between all case
terminals connected together and the
case earth terminal.
2kV rms for 1 minute between
independent circuits including contact
circuits.
1kV rms for 1 minute across normally
open outgoing contact pairs.
High voltage impulse
IEC 255-5 5kV peak, 1.2/50µs, 0.5J between
all terminals and case earth and
between adjacent terminals
High frequency disturbance
IEC 255–22-1 Class III 2.5kV peak between each
independent circuit and case earth
2.5kV peak between each
independent circuit and all other
independent circuits coupled to earth
1.0 kV peak across terminals of the
same circuit
1MHz bursts decaying to 50% peak
value after 3 to 6 cycles
Repetition rate: 400 per second

13
 Environmental Withstand
Temperature
IEC 68-2-1
IEC 68-2-2 Storage and transit –25˚C to +70˚C
Operating –25˚C to +55˚C
Humidity
IEC 68-2-3 56 days at 93% relative humidity
and +40˚C
Enclosure protection
IEC 529 IP50 (dust protected)
Vibration
IEC 255-21-1 0.5g between 10Hz and 300Hz

Mechanical durability
Loaded contact 10,000 operations, minimum
Unloaded contact 100,000 operations, minimum

14
Cases
All MCTI relays are housed in a size 4 case.
(See Figure 10 below).

52
97 4 Holes 4.4
23.5

All dimensions in mm.

168 159

99
Panel cut-out:
Push button projection 10 max. Flush mounting fixing details

212 25
32
min.

177 157
max.

Flush mounting
103

Figure 10: Case outlines size 4

Information required with order

Relay type (see Models available).
Auxiliary supply voltage.
Rated current.
Setting range.

15