The fault can be located upstream or downstream of the relay's location, allowing appropriate protective devices to be operated inside or outside of the zone of protection.OverviewIn, a protective relay is a device designed to trip a when a is detected. The first protective relays were electromagnetic devices, relying on coils operating on moving par. Electromechanical protective relays operate by either, or. Unlike switching type electromechanical with fixed and usually ill-defined operating voltage thresholds. Electromechanical relays can be classified into several different types as follows: "Armature"-type relays have a pivoted lever supported on a hinge or knife-edge pivot, which carries a moving contact. These relays may.