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Arteche BI-16R lockout Relay

Why the Arteche BI-16R Lockout Relay Is Essential for High-Reliability Protection Systems?

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In the world of power systems, the demand for reliable, secure, and fast protection is paramount. Every component, every connection, and every signal matters. Among the many essential elements in a substation or power plant’s protection and control scheme, lockout relays (LORs) play a critical role in ensuring system integrity and operational safety. One such device that stands out in this domain is the Arteche BI-16R Lockout Relay. The Arteche BI-16R delivers unmatched value with its rugged design, precise performance, and wide applicability. Engineers specifically design it for high-reliability protection systems in modern electrical networks. It excels in high-voltage substations, power transformers, and critical generator applications.

In this blog, we’ll explore why the Arteche BI-16R Lockout Relay is essential, examining its key features, benefits, standards compliance, and applications across the power system landscape.

Overview Of the Arteche BI-16R Lockout Relay: Why They Matter

Before diving into the specifics of the BI-16R, it’s important to understand the role of lockout relays (ANSI 86) in protection systems.

A lockout relay is essentially a latching relay that performs a decisive function—it ensures that once a fault has been detected and cleared, the circuit cannot be re-energized until the condition has been manually or electrically reset. This prevents repeated fault incidents that can lead to equipment damage or catastrophic failures.

In other words, lockout relays act as the last line of defense, guarding against faulty reclosures or re-energizing of systems operating under unsafe or compromised conditions.

Introducing the Arteche BI-16R Lockout Relay

The Arteche BI-16R is part of Arteche’s renowned range of trip and lockout relays designed for the most demanding and safety-critical applications in power systems.

Key Technical Highlights

  • Contact Configuration: 16 Inverters / 16 PDT Form-C
  • Burden Configuration:
    • ESI 48-4 EB1:1983 (Low Burden)
    • ESI 48-4 EB2:1983 (High Burden)
  • Operation Time: 3 to 20 ms (depending on model)
  • Standards Compliance:
    • IEC 61000
    • IEC 60947
    • IEC 60255
    • ANSI C37.90
  • Mounting Base: Type I Bases

These specifications are more than just numbers—they reflect the BI-16R’s capability to perform under the harshest and most critical conditions.

Key Features of the Arteche BI-16R Lockout Relay

  • High-Speed Operation: Time is everything in fault detection and mitigation. The BI-16R features a fast operation time, ranging from 3 ms to 20 ms, enabling quick isolation of the faulty section and protecting downstream equipment.
  • High Breaking Capacity: With the ability to handle high loads, Arteche’s LOR relays—including the BI-16R—are built for safe and decisive interruption of fault currents, minimizing risk and maximizing protection.
  • Versatile Contact Configuration: A 16PDT (Pole Double Throw) Form-C contact setup allows the BI-16R to simultaneously control and signal multiple subsystems, ensuring seamless coordination across the protection scheme.
  • Mechanical Latching Design: The BI-16R employs a mechanical latching mechanism. Which ensures that once it trips, it remains in that state until manually or electrically reset. This feature guarantees a visible, verifiable trip condition, preventing unintentional resets.
  • Compliant with Global Standards: Arteche relays meet stringent international standards (IEC and ANSI), ensuring interoperability, safety, and regulatory compliance across global power utilities and industrial environments.
  • Wide Burden Options: With both low and high burden configurations (EB1 and EB2), the BI-16R adapts to different installation environments, especially beneficial in cases of long wiring runs where transient immunity is essential.

Benefits of Using the Arteche BI-16R Lockout Relay in Protection Systems

  • Enhanced Equipment Protection: The BI-16R provides reliable trip functionality to safeguard critical power components such as circuit breakers, transformers. However, generators operate under unsafe conditions like gas leaks, overtemperature, low oil level, and internal faults.
  • Fail-Safe Operation: Once tripped, the BI-16R requires a manual or remote reset. This behavior ensures positive confirmation of the issue before the system is restored. Avoiding dangerous reclosures and reducing operational risks.
  • Adaptable to Harsh Environments: Arteche has over 60 years of experience in electromechanical relays. The BI-16R is built to withstand seismic vibrations, temperature variations, and high electromagnetic interference, making it ideal for HV substations and generation plants.
  • Long Operational Life: Reliability over the long term is key in mission-critical applications. Arteche’s relays are known for exceptional longevity and minimal maintenance, resulting in lower lifecycle costs and fewer field interventions.
  • Customizable for Specific Needs: From coil voltages to burden classes and contact arrangements, the BI-16R offers numerous configuration options, allowing engineers to match the relay’s performance to exact application needs.
Arteche BI-16R lockout Relay

Typical Applications of BI-16R Lockout Relays

  • HV and EHV Substations: Whether in AIS (Air Insulated Substations) or GIS (Gas Insulated Substations), the BI-16R ensures secure and controlled isolation of faults.
  • Power Transformers: Transformer protection is critical due to its high cost and role in grid reliability. The BI-16R can act on alarms related to gas pressure, Buchholz relay, winding temperature, and more.
  • Generator Protection: In generation stations, it prevents generators from coming online under unfavorable or dangerous conditions, such as overcurrent, reverse power flow, or mechanical failure.
  • Control and Command Circuits: The BI-16R adds an additional safety layer to control circuits. Additionally, preventing inadvertent system operations until all conditions are verified and cleared.
  • Industrial Power Systems: Heavy industries with in-house substations also utilize BI-16R for equipment-level protection and lockout interlocking schemes.
Why Choose Arteche?

Arteche has built a global reputation as a premium manufacturer of high-performance electromechanical relays, serving utilities and industries for over six decades. With installations spanning millions of units worldwide, Arteche products are a benchmark in quality, reliability, and innovation.

Their commitment to continuous improvement, rigorous testing, and customer-specific customization makes them a preferred partner for mission-critical applications.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the Arteche BI-16R Lockout Relay is an indispensable component for engineers and utilities that demand uncompromising reliability, safety, and performance in their protection systems.

Whether you’re modernizing an old substation or commissioning a new generation facility. Additionally, the BI-16R offers the features, speed, and durability needed for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s expectations.

At Digital & Smart Grid Enterprises, we take pride in being leading Arteche BI-16R Relay Suppliers and exporters of the Arteche Lockout Relays. Our commitment is to deliver tailored relay solutions that meet various industry requirements. Whether you have questions or wish to make a purchase, feel free to contact us at Arteche BI-16R Relay Price +917021624024 or via email at marketing@dsgenterprises.in. With our deep expertise in Arteche Lockout Relays, we guarantee consistent support throughout your journey. Discover our extensive product range by clicking here for more information.