Eutectic Over Current Relay For Motor Protection

The melting alloy or eutectic overload relay consists of a Heater Coil, a Eutectic Alloy, and a mechanical mechanism to activate a tripping device when an overload occurs. The relay measures the temperature of the motor by monitoring the amount of current being drawn. This is done indirectly through a heater coil. Operating Principle: The term eutectic means easily melted. The eutectic alloy in the heater element is a material that goes from a solid to liquid state without going through an intermediate putty stage. A eutectic alloy is a metal that has a fixed temperature at which it changes directly from a solid to a liquid. When an overload occurs, the heater coil heats the eutectic alloy tube. The heat melts the alloy, freeing the ratchet wheel and allowing it to turn. This action opens the normally closed contacts in the overload relay. After the heater element cools, the ratchet wheel will again be held stationary and the overload contacts can be reset. Severe fault currents can damage the heater element and they should be replaced after such an occurrence. However, normal overloads, usually, will not affect the heater element or alter its accuracy.

Subhrasankha Ghosh 8th Semester Electrical, Cy-038 Exam Roll 110506042