Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of a motor operated valve including a limit switch to stop the opening of the valve element of the valve at an open position which is short of its backseated position, a selector switch to override the limit switch ot permit the valve element to be moved past the open position toward the backseated position, and a digital protective relay to repeatedly measure current flow through the valve motor, to compare current readings with setpoint values and to rapidly discontinue motor current flow when current readings exceed setpoint values.