Which equipment is primarily responsible for protecting electrical systems from faults?

Protective relays play a crucial role in safeguarding electrical systems from faults by detecting abnormal conditions, such as overloads or short circuits, and initiating a response to isolate the affected portions of the system. They continuously monitor electrical parameters such as current, voltage, and frequency. When they sense values that deviate from acceptable limits, they send signals to circuit breakers to disconnect or isolate the faulty section of the grid. This protective mechanism is essential for preventing damage to equipment, ensuring the stability of the power system, and maintaining safety.

In contrast, power transformers are more concerned with voltage regulation and power transfer between different voltage levels, while capacitors and inductors primarily serve to manage reactive power and improve power quality in the system rather than directly protecting it against faults. They do not have the capability to detect or respond to fault conditions.