Protection Basics – Relay 101

Pre-Course Information Sheet

Course: Protection Basics – Relay 101 (Online)

Course Overview

This introductory course provides foundational knowledge of electrical protection systems with an emphasis on protective relays used in industrial and utility applications. Participants will learn basic relay functions, protection principles, common relay types, and how relays support system safety and reliability.

The course introduces key concepts including overcurrent protection, fault detection, coordination fundamentals, and basic relay settings interpretation. Emphasis is placed on safe operational awareness and understanding relay roles within power system protection schemes.

Delivery Method

Online / LMS-Based Asynchronous Learning

Participants may complete the course at their own pace within the allotted course access period.

Course Duration

2 Contact Hours

IACET CEUs Awarded

0.2 CEU

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define the purpose and function of protective relays in electrical systems
2. Identify basic types of protective relays (electromechanical, digital, numerical)
3. Explain fundamental protection concepts such as overcurrent and fault detection
4. Describe how relays coordinate with upstream and downstream protective devices
5. Interpret basic relay diagrams and simplified setting concepts
6. Recognize safety considerations associated with energized electrical systems
7. Explain the role of relays in preventing equipment damage and system outages
8. Identify basic troubleshooting indicators in relay operation (alarm/fault signals)

Technical Requirements

Participants must have:

• Reliable internet access
• Current web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari)
• Audio capability for course videos and PowerPoint
• Ability to view PDF documents
• Access to the TTI Learning Management System (LMS)

Recommendation:

• Desktop or laptop computer for optimal learning experience

Criteria for Earning IACET

To receive 0.2 IACET CEU, participants must:

• Complete all required course modules
• Complete all learning activities
• Successfully complete required assessments
• Achieving a minimum passing score of 80% on course assessments
• Complete the course evaluation

Learner Support

Technical assistance is available for LMS access and navigation issues.

For support, contact:

Phone: (817) 769-6275

Email: [email protected]

Accessibility Statement

TTI is committed to providing an accessible learning environment. Course materials include accessibility features such as:

• Accessible digital content
• Adjustable screen viewing options where available

Learners requiring accommodation should contact TTI prior to beginning the course.

Important Completion Information

Participants are encouraged to complete the course within the assigned enrollment period. Progress is automatically tracked within the LMS.

Failure to complete all required activities and assessments will result in no CEU award being issued.

Acknowledgment

By beginning this course, participants acknowledge that they have reviewed and understand the course requirements, learning outcomes, participation expectations, and CEU award criteria.

This Protection Basics - Relay 101 course introduces protection engineers, technicians, and operators to the fundamentals of electrical power-system protection using both electromechanical and modern microprocessor-based relays. Participants learn the philosophy of protection, including sensitivity, selectivity, speed, and reliability, and how these principles translate into zones of protection for generators, transformers, buses, lines, motors, and feeders. The course covers instrument transformer basics, including current transformer ratio, accuracy class, burden, and saturation, plus voltage transformer wye and delta connections, and explains how CT polarity, secondary wiring, and shorting practices protect personnel and equipment. Learners study the most common protection functions defined by IEEE C37.2 device numbers, including 50/51 overcurrent, 27/59 under and over voltage, 81 frequency, 87 differential, 21 distance, 32 reverse power, 46 negative sequence, 49 thermal, and 86 lockout. The program walks through time-current coordination, pickup settings, inverse-time curves (IEEE, IEC, and user-defined), instantaneous elements, and breaker failure schemes. Participants gain hands-on exposure to NETA MTS acceptance and maintenance testing, secondary injection, ratio and polarity verification, and reading relay event records and oscillographic COMTRADE files. The course closes with a review of arc flash implications of protection settings, including maintenance switches and instantaneous bypass per NFPA 70E. Upon completion, participants can interpret single-line diagrams, relay settings sheets, coordination studies, and field-test reports with confidence.

This course is intended for:

• Electrical maintenance personnel
• Industrial technicians and operators
• Utility support staff
• Entry-level protection and control technicians
• Apprentices or trainees in electrical systems
• Safety personnel working around energized equipment   

2 hours

Participants will have access to:

• Protection Basics – Relay 101 Modules
• Final Assessment
• Course Evaluation

There are no formal prerequisites for this course.

Participants should:

• No prior relay or protection system experience required
• Basic understanding of electrical concepts (voltage, current, resistance) recommended
• Familiarity with workplace electrical safety practices preferred