Relays

Practical guides and setting calculators for protection relays: how overcurrent, earth fault, differential, and overload relays work, how to set and test them, and which IEC, IEEE, and NEC standards apply. Start with the calculators, or work through the guides by relay type below.

Relay Setting Calculators

Overcurrent Relays

Earth Fault Relays

Motor and Thermal Overload Relays

Differential, Generator and Voltage Protection

Which Relay Protects What?

Overcurrent relays detect phase overcurrent and are graded with time-current curves so the device closest to the fault trips first. Earth fault relays respond to residual or zero-sequence current and are usually set more sensitively than phase protection. Thermal overload relays protect motors from sustained overload, while differential protection compares current entering and leaving a zone, such as a transformer, generator, or busbar. Always verify settings against the manufacturer’s manual and your project’s coordination study. For more tools, see our Electrical Calculators.

All Relay Articles