AREVA MVAJ Series Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

AREVA MVAJ Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The AREVA MVAJ series is a line of electromechanical and static tripping relays engineered for high-reliability protection applications in heavy industrial environments. Deployed extensively in chemical processing plants, nuclear power stations, oil refineries, and grid substations, MVAJ relays serve as auxiliary tripping and lockout devices within protection schemes built around AREVA/Alstom Grid primary relays. Their role is to receive a trip signal from a protection relay and issue a latched or self-reset output to circuit breakers, ensuring deterministic fault isolation. The series is compatible with a wide range of panel bus voltages (24 V DC to 250 V DC) and is designed to interface with AREVA P-series numerical relays, legacy MCGG/MCAG electromechanical relays, and third-party IEC 61850 protection systems. Installed base spans tens of thousands of units across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, making long-term spare parts availability a critical operational concern for asset managers.

The Evolution of MVAJ Architecture

The MVAJ designation originates from the GEC Measurements / GEC Alsthom product taxonomy, predating the formation of AREVA T&D in 2004 and the subsequent acquisition by Alstom Grid and then GE Grid Solutions. Early MVAJ variants (circa 1980s–1990s) were fully electromechanical, using attracted-armature mechanisms with hand-reset flags. These units were characterized by high operating coil burden and mechanical flag indicators visible through the relay front panel. The transition to static (solid-state) auxiliary relay technology in the late 1990s introduced lower coil burden, faster operate times (typically <10 ms), and improved contact ratings without changing the external case form factor, preserving backward compatibility with existing panel cutouts and wiring. The RA suffix in models such as MVAJ101RA0802A denotes a specific coil voltage and contact configuration variant within the static generation. As of 2020, MVAJ production has been formally discontinued by GE Grid Solutions (the current IP holder), placing the entire series in end-of-life status. No direct drop-in replacement exists under the current GE Grid catalog; the nearest functional equivalents are the GE Grid P14x series auxiliary output relays and third-party units from SEL or Littelfuse. This lifecycle status makes verified surplus and refurbished MVAJ stock the primary sourcing channel for maintenance and retrofit projects.

MVAJ Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent confirmed models within the AREVA MVAJ series, classified by function and coil/contact configuration. Each entry reflects a distinct ordering code corresponding to a specific operating voltage, number of contacts, and reset mechanism.

Tripping & Auxiliary Relays (Self-Reset)

• MVAJ101RA0802A: 8 NO + 2 NC contacts, 110 V DC coil, self-reset, static type
• MVAJ101RA0402A: 4 NO + 2 NC contacts, 110 V DC coil, self-reset, static type
• MVAJ101RA0404A: 4 NO + 4 NC contacts, 110 V DC coil, self-reset, static type
• MVAJ101RA0204A: 2 NO + 4 NC contacts, 110 V DC coil, self-reset, static type
• MVAJ101RB0802A: 8 NO + 2 NC contacts, 48 V DC coil, self-reset, static type
• MVAJ101RB0402A: 4 NO + 2 NC contacts, 48 V DC coil, self-reset, static type
• MVAJ101RC0802A: 8 NO + 2 NC contacts, 24 V DC coil, self-reset, static type
• MVAJ101RD0802A: 8 NO + 2 NC contacts, 220 V DC coil, self-reset, static type
• MVAJ101RD0402A: 4 NO + 2 NC contacts, 220 V DC coil, self-reset, static type

Lockout / Hand-Reset Relays

• MVAJ101LA0802A: 8 NO + 2 NC contacts, 110 V DC coil, hand-reset (lockout), static type
• MVAJ101LA0402A: 4 NO + 2 NC contacts, 110 V DC coil, hand-reset (lockout), static type
• MVAJ101LB0802A: 8 NO + 2 NC contacts, 48 V DC coil, hand-reset (lockout), static type
• MVAJ101LD0802A: 8 NO + 2 NC contacts, 220 V DC coil, hand-reset (lockout), static type
• MVAJ101LD0402A: 4 NO + 2 NC contacts, 220 V DC coil, hand-reset (lockout), static type

Electromechanical Legacy Variants

• MVAJ011RA0802A: 8 NO + 2 NC contacts, 110 V DC coil, attracted-armature electromechanical, hand-reset flag
• MVAJ011LA0402A: 4 NO + 2 NC contacts, 110 V DC coil, electromechanical lockout, mechanical flag indicator

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete MVAJ Parts

With the MVAJ series formally discontinued, OEM channels no longer supply new units or factory-reconditioned stock. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory of verified surplus MVAJ relays sourced from decommissioned substations, plant shutdowns, and authorized distributor closeouts. Each unit in stock is individually cataloged by full ordering code, manufacturing date code, and physical condition grade. For plant operators running scheduled outages or emergency replacements, DriveKNMS provides same-day quotation on available stock and can cross-reference partial ordering codes to identify the correct variant when the full model number is unavailable. For projects requiring multiple units of the same variant, DriveKNMS can consolidate stock from multiple verified sources to fulfill bulk orders. Long-term maintenance agreements (LTMAs) covering annual allocation of MVAJ spare units are available for nuclear and petrochemical operators subject to regulatory spare parts holding requirements.

Quality Control for the MVAJ Range

MVAJ relays are tested against the following protocol prior to dispatch: coil resistance measurement and comparison against nameplate specification (tolerance ±5%); operate voltage test at 80% of rated coil voltage to verify minimum pickup; dropout voltage test at 5% of rated voltage; contact resistance measurement on all poles using a 100 mA DC test current (acceptance criterion: 100 MΩ). For hand-reset (lockout) variants, the mechanical reset mechanism is cycled a minimum of 10 times to verify positive latching and clean reset action. All test results are documented on a unit-level test certificate issued with each shipment. Units failing any parameter are quarantined and not offered for sale.