Protective relays detect the abnormal conditions in the electrical circuits by constantly measuring the electrical quantities which are different under normal and fault conditions. The electrical quantities that may change under fault conditions include: voltage, current, frequency. Protective relays can be classified based on their operating principle, construction, or function: 1. According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE C37. They are intended to quickly identify a fault and isolate it so the balance of the system continue to run under normal conditions. The selection and applications of. An electrically operated switch like a relay plays a key role in controlling an electrical circuit through an independent low-power signal, otherwise used where a number of circuits should be controlled through the single signal.