Two forms of overcurrent protection are provided: primary protection for the line itself and backup protection for an adjacent line. Engineering use: Relays are used on feeders, transformers, buses, motors, generators, and transmission lines to protect equipment and improve system. Protective relays and devices have been developed over 100 years ago to provide “last line” of defense for the electrical systems. They are intended to quickly identify a fault and isolate it so the balance of the system continue to run under normal conditions.