Metrosil is a non linear resistor and used with high impedance differential protection.During an internal fault ,the voltage developed across the relay can be very high and the metrosil limits the voltage across the relay ,thus protecting the relay and the wiring from any damage
under internal fault conditions , CT primary current produces steep insrease in voltage across the relay. This will exceed the burden 3kv normally designed as per. To get protected from the voltage, metrosil is connected across the relay , to drop the voltage.
Resistors are ohmic and fixed whereas metrosils are non ohmic and variable - version of a varistor.