For protective applications where we are concerned with conditions other than short circuits, power
directional relays are required. These relays operate under conditions of balanced load and relatively
high power factor. The voltage and current phasors are approximately in phase with each other
and of constant magnitude, as shown in the balanced load case of Figure 4.14(a). Power relays are
polarized by a voltage of the circuit, e.g. Van compared to the operating current Ia as shown in the
phasor diagram for a power relay. These connections are chosen so that maximum torque in the
relay occurs under unity power factor load. The relay will then pick up for power flowing in one