Electric power system relay and on-line method of testing same

1. Field of the Invention An electric power system relay includes a simulator that substitutes test values of current and voltage for sensed values for use by relay logic to perform specified relay functions, but without loss of the relay protection functions. The sensed values of current at least are monitored even while the test values are being used by the relay logic. If the monitored sensed values exceed a threshold value, a data switch operates to return to use of the sensed current and voltage values by the relay logic. In addition, the sensed values of current and voltage replace the test values, if a time interval longer than that required to perform the specified relay functions using the test values has expired.