By contrast, an electromechanical protective relay converts the voltages and currents to magnetic

and electric forces and torques that press against spring tensions in the relay. The tension of the
spring and taps on the electromagnetic coils in the relay are the main processes by which a user
sets such a relay.
In a solid-state relay, the incoming voltage and current wave-forms are monitored by analog circuits,
not recorded or digitized. The analog values are compared to settings made by the user
via potentiometers in the relay, and in some case, taps on transformers.
In some solid-state relays, a simple microprocessor does some of the relay logic, but the logic is
fixed and simple. For instance, in some time overcurrent solid state relays, the incoming AC current
is first converted into a small signal AC value, then the AC is fed into a rectifier and filter that
converts the AC to a DC value proportionate to the AC waveform. An op-amp and comparator is
used to create a DC that rises when a trip point is reached. Then a relatively simple microprocessor
does a slow speed A/D conversion of the DC signal, integrates the results to create the time-
overcurrent curve response, and trips when the integration rises above a set-point. Though this relay
has a microprocessor, it lacks the attributes of a digital/numeric relay, and hence the term
"microprocessor relay" is not a clear term.
Protective elements refer to the overall logic surrounding the electrical condition that is being
monitored. For instance, a differential element refers to the logic required to monitor two (or more)
currents, find their difference, and trip if the difference is beyond certain parameters. The term element
and function are quite interchangeable in many instances.

For simplicity on one-line diagrams, the protection function is usually identified by an ANSI device
number. In the era of electromechanical and solid state relays, any one relay could implement only one
or two protective functions, so a complete protection system may have many relays on its panel. In a
digital/numeric relay, many functions are implemented by the microprocessor programming. Any one
numeric relay may implement one or all of these functions.

A listing of device numbers is found at ANSI Device Numbers. A summary of some common device
numbers seen in digital relays is:

11 – Multi-function Device

21 – Distance

24 – Volts/Hz

25 – Synchronizing

27 – Under Voltage

32 – Directional Power Element

46 – Negative Sequence Current

40 – Loss of Excitation
47 – Negative Sequence Voltage

50 – Instantaneous Overcurrent (N for neutral, G for ground current)

51 – Inverse Time Overcurrent (N for neutral, G from ground current)

59 – Over Voltage

62 – Timer

64 – Ground Fault (64F = Field Ground, 64G = Generator Ground)

67 – Directional Over Current (typically controls a 50/51 element)

79 – Reclosing Relay

81 – Under/Over Frequency

86 – Lockout Relay / Trip Circuit Supervision

87 – Current Differential (87L=transmission line diff; 87T=transformer diff; 87G=generator diff)