GE IC697BME731 Industrial Control Systems

GE IC697BME731 is a member of the MVAJ23 series high-burden tripping relays manufactured for power-system protection and circuit-breaker control applications. The MVAJ23 series is a double-element tripping relay designed to provide reliable operation of circuit-breaker trip circuits and associated protection schemes.

The relay is primarily used as an interface between a protection system and the circuit-breaker trip mechanism. When a protection device issues a trip command, the relay operates its output contacts to initiate circuit-breaker tripping and, depending on the configuration, maintain the trip/lockout condition until the appropriate reset operation is performed.

2. Technical Parameters

3. Product Features

3.1 High-Burden Design

The IC697BME731 is designed as a high-burden tripping relay, making it suitable for applications where the relay must reliably drive or interface with demanding trip circuits.

3.2 Reliable Circuit-Breaker Tripping

The relay provides a dependable interface between the protection system and the circuit-breaker trip circuit. Its electromechanical construction is well suited to critical protection applications.

3.3 Lockout Function

Depending on the specific configuration, the relay can maintain its operated condition following a protection trip, helping prevent unintended re-energization until the appropriate reset procedure has been completed.

3.4 Robust Electromechanical Construction

The traditional electromagnetic construction provides electrical isolation between control and output circuits and offers good resistance to the electrical disturbances commonly encountered in substation environments.

3.5 Suitable for Legacy Protection Systems

The  IC697BME731 series is particularly relevant to existing installations using GEC ALSTHOM and legacy GE protection and control equipment, where maintaining the original protection architecture is important.

4. Structural Composition

The GE IC697BME731 typically consists of the following functional sections:

1. Electromagnetic Operating Mechanism
   The coil and magnetic circuit generate the force required to operate the relay.
2. Mechanical Operating Mechanism
   Transfers the electromagnetic movement to the contact assembly.
3. Output Contact Assembly
   Provides the electrical interface to the circuit-breaker trip circuit and associated control circuits.
4. Holding / Lockout Mechanism
   Maintains the operated condition when the application requires a lockout function.
5. Reset Mechanism
   Allows the relay to return to its normal state after the protection operation, according to the particular configuration.
6. Housing and Terminal Assembly
   Provides mechanical protection, mounting and electrical connections.

5. Application Fields

Power Substations

Used in protection panels for high-voltage and extra-high-voltage substations, particularly for circuit-breaker trip and lockout circuits.

Power Generation Plants

Can be used in generator protection, switchyard protection and circuit-breaker control systems.

Transmission and Distribution Systems

Suitable for legacy protection systems where reliable transmission of a protection trip command is required.

Industrial Power Systems

Applicable to critical electrical systems in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemical, metallurgy, mining and large manufacturing facilities.

Maintenance of Legacy Equipment

The  IC697BME731 can be particularly valuable as a maintenance or spare component for existing GEC ALSTHOM/GE protection systems.

6. Selection and Replacement Considerations

When replacing  IC697BME731, the following items should be carefully verified:

• Complete model number:  IC697BME731
• Coil or auxiliary voltage
• Number and type of contacts
• Terminal numbering
• Wiring configuration
• Mechanical dimensions
• Mounting arrangement
• Reset method
• Original protection-system logic
• Protection-panel wiring diagrams
• Product nameplate and terminal information

Replacement should not be based solely on the MVAJ23 series designation, because different suffix configurations may have different electrical and mechanical characteristics.

7. Conclusion

The GE IC697BME731 is a high-burden electromechanical tripping/lockout relay designed for critical power-system protection and circuit-breaker control applications. It provides a reliable interface between protection equipment and circuit-breaker trip circuits and is well suited to traditional substation and power-generation protection systems.