This paper addresses the broad question of relaying philosophies, modes of operation of relays under abnormal system conditions, the categories of their failure modes, and advances made possible by modern technology in computer relays, adaptive relaying, and the use of wide-area measurements for improved protection and the ability to mitigate wide-area outages. It is hoped that this discussion will lead to a dialogue among system planners, relay engineers, and operating personnel to explore the realities of relay system performance under stressed system conditions and to adapt solutions made possible by new technological innovations