GE Multilin 869 and 859 Motor Protection Relays

Short answer

The Multilin 869 is the motor protection, control and management relay of the GE Vernova 8 Series, for medium and large induction and synchronous motors, including motors on drives and high-inertia loads. It integrates a synchronous motor protection module, arc flash detection with light sensors and IEC 61850 Ed2 and PRP communications. The 859 is the motor relay of the same series and is the proposed successor to the 369.

What it is and where it is used

The Multilin 869 is the motor protection, control and management relay of the 8 Series from GE Vernova (the Multilin line that previously carried the GE brand). The manufacturer presents it for medium and large induction and synchronous motors, in oil and gas, mining and metals, cement and wastewater: two-speed motors, motors fed by a drive, with cyclic load, high inertia and reduced-voltage starting.

It is the natural successor to the 469, which is no longer manufactured. For context, see induction motor and its protection; the 8 Series platform is also explained in the page on the Multilin 850.

Variants: Multilin 869 and 859

Model	Application	Main difference
Multilin 869	Medium and large motors, induction and synchronous	Integrated synchronous motor module, stator differential, arc flash, excitation control
Multilin 859	8 Series motors	Proposed successor to the 369 and alternative to the 469
469 → 869 kit	Replacement in existing panels	Same panel cutout and wiring according to GE Vernova

Main functions

According to the ANSI function table that GE Vernova publishes for the 869:

Function	ANSI	What it provides for the motor
Thermal model, with speed bias and voltage-dependent curve	49	Protection against overheating (guide)
Stator and bearing temperature by RTD	49S, 38	Direct temperature protection
Current unbalance, negative-sequence voltage	46, 47	Abnormal supply conditions
Phase, neutral and ground overcurrent; directional	50P/51P, 50N/51N, 50G/51G, 67P, 67N	Short circuits and ground faults (guide)
Mechanical jam, undercurrent, incomplete sequence, starts	50LR, 37, 48, 66	Load and starting problems
Stator differential	87S	Internal faults (guide)
Loss of excitation, out-of-step, power factor	40, 78, 55	Synchronous motors
Under and overvoltage, frequency, rate of change, V/Hz	27, 59, 81O/81U, 81R, 24	System conditions
Breaker failure, start inhibit	50BF, 86	Backup and lockout

For motors on drives, GE Vernova indicates frequency tracking from 3 to 72 Hz and a thermal model that accounts for the additional heating from harmonics. Arc flash protection uses light sensors supervised by overcurrent.

Communications and integration

GE Vernova states that the 869 supports IEC 61850 Edition 2 and PRP (IEC 62439-3), in addition to the usual 8 Series protocols for integration into SCADA and distributed control systems. It includes cybersecurity with AAA, RADIUS, role-based access control and syslog, optional Wi-Fi for local configuration and a color display with a configurable single-line diagram. Configuration is done with EnerVista. See IEC 61850: overview and PRP and HSR.

Thermal model, starting and ordering options

The data in this section come from the 869 brochure (GE Vernova, in English) and from the end-of-production notices of the 8 Series.

Thermal model. The manufacturer describes it with seven features. First, NEMA thermal limit curves, voltage-dependent or custom. Second, IEC 60255-8 overload curves. Third, a smoothing filter for cyclic loads. Fourth, a bias for current unbalance. Fifth, independent exponential cooling curves with the motor running and stopped. Sixth, an optional RTD bias. Seventh, hot or cold motor compensation. It accepts up to 13 RTD inputs with voting, to ignore a damaged sensor, and groups them into stator, bearings and ambient. There is also a thermal protection for the squirrel-cage rotor (time versus speed) separate from the main model, and a speed bias that compares the estimated damper heating with the one calculated from current and from RTDs, and keeps the larger one.

Starting and synchronous motors. Among the recent improvements the brochure mentions start sequence control, reluctance torque synchronization, incomplete sequence and automatic loading and unloading. It also mentions a power factor protection with two options: trip directly (ride-through) or allow resynchronization instead of tripping. With the integrated synchronous motor module it also controls the field excitation, with a brushless or brush-type rotor.

Diagnostics. Firmware version 2.80 of the 8 Series (release notes GER-4917, August 2021) included improvements to electrical signature analysis (ESA) and to the thermal lockout of the 869. In the same publication GE warns that firmware 1.2x or earlier cannot be upgraded to 2.71 by the user, and that the manufacturer must be consulted.

Discontinued options. Two GE Vernova notices affect the ordering of spare parts and successors:

Front panel option G (GER-4861): end of production with last order date December 1, 2023; the alternatives are option M (membrane panel with three pushbuttons) and A (advanced panel with large pushbuttons).
Inputs and outputs option F (GER-5001, June 10, 2025): ten digital inputs with four point arc flash sensors; last order date December 15, 2025. The alternatives are option T (four solid-state relays, two Form A and four point or loop arc flash sensors) or TT (eight solid-state, four Form A and eight sensors). See also arc flash relays ABB REA and VAMP.

The warranty does not change with these notices, and after the last order date GE offers repair subject to availability, not new replacements. If your panel has an 869 with one of those options, the full code on the nameplate defines which spare part or successor applies.

Frequently asked technical questions

Converting 469 settings: EnerVista does it, but the result is reviewed against the motor nameplate and the study; the 869 has functions the 469 did not have.
Trip when starting high-inertia loads: the voltage-dependent curve exists for that, but it has to be set with real starting data.
Synchronous motors: excitation control and resynchronization require coordinating the relay with the excitation system.
Single-line diagram on the display: the 8 Series allows configuring up to six single-line pages for local control of up to three breakers and nine disconnect switches, with interlocking; it should match the real panel.
Withdrawable design: it makes testing and replacement easier without disconnecting the wiring, but a withdrawn relay leaves the motor unprotected.

How we can help

At Tiza Group we configure Multilin relays remotely, worldwide, with a backup before and after the change. See remote configuration of GE Multilin relays and remote relay configuration. If the motor has already tripped and it is not clear why, we quote the analysis of the event in a relay trip analysis. For motor testing in Colombia, or elsewhere on request, see motor testing. Write to us through contact.

References

IEEE C37.2, device function numbers for electric power systems.
IEEE C37.96, guide for AC motor protection.
IEC 62439-3, PRP and HSR.
GE Vernova, Multilin 869 product page and legacy motor products page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Multilin 869 and the 859?

Both are motor relays of the GE Vernova 8 Series. The 869 is the full model for medium and large motors, induction and synchronous, with an integrated synchronous motor module; the 859 is the motor relay of the same platform that GE Vernova proposes as the successor to the 369 and as an alternative to the 469. Which one fits is defined by the size and type of the motor.

Can a 469 be replaced by an 869 without changing the panel?

GE Vernova offers a 469 to 869 replacement kit that, according to the manufacturer, is installed without changing the panel cutout or the wiring, and EnerVista converts the 469 settings file. Even so, the converted settings must be reviewed and tested before starting the motor.

Where is the Multilin 869 manual?

GE Vernova publishes the manuals, the specification sheet and the EnerVista software for the 869 in the resources section of its product page. If you need the configuration for your motor, we do it remotely from the motor data and the study.