The IEEE standard for protection relays refers to a collection of guidelines developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. While this is bad, It's not a. Relay systems protect high-voltage equipment and transmission lines to ensure safe, stable systems. Although failure of a protective relay system may have severe local or regional impacts, most protective relay systems are not required to operate to prove they are in working order. Ensuring that. Transmission and Distribution interconnections to PG&E require reliable relays to protect the electrical system for faults in the system or in the interconnected facilities as well as safeguard the service quality of other customers during abnormal operating conditions. Three fundamental components required for each circuit breaker.