By definition, a protective relay is a switchgear device that detects faults and initiates the circuit breaker operation to isolate the problematic component of the system. Electrical values are measured by these relays to determine abnormal circumferences of a circuit. The protection and control devices in electrical equipment can be referred to by numbers, with appropriate suffix letters when necessary, according to the functions they perform. Types of Protective Relays: Protective relays are categorized by their mechanism (electromagnetic, static, mechanical) and function. Power System Protective Relays: Principles & Practices Protective Relays - Technical Seminar Nov 2016 - Copyright: IEEE 1 Power System Protective Relays: Principles & Practices Presenter: Rasheek Rifaat, P. It functions as a watchdog by constantly surveying multiple system components including voltage, current, frequency, and phase angle.