A protective relay is an automatic device that detects abnormalities in an electrical circuit and closes its contacts. This action completes the circuit breaker 's trip coil circuit, causing the breaker to trip and disconnect the faulty section from the healthy circuit. Engineering use: Relays are used on feeders, transformers, buses, motors, generators, and transmission lines to protect equipment and improve system. A protective relay is an intelligent electrical device designed to detect faults in power systems and initiate corrective actions such as tripping a circuit breaker. To describe neutral grounding for overall protection.