Abstract: A distance relay, for indicating single phase to ground faults on a polyphase electric power transmission system, having guard zone comparators (17,18,19) generating a first guard zone quadrilateral characteristic (21,23,25,27) in respect of each phase of the system and additional comparators (43,45,47) cooperating with the guard zone comparators (17,18,19) for generating a second main quadrilateral characteristic (23,25,27,49) in respect of each phase of the system, and a logic circuit arrangement (31 to 41) whereby the relay indicates the presence of a fault on a single phase to ground within the reach of the main characteristic relating to the relevant phase only if the corresponding guard zone characteristic, and no other, indicates a fault. The slope of the reactance line (21) of each guard zone characteristic is arranged to change its slope under two-phase phase to earth fault conditions by a lesser amount than the reactance line (49) of the corresponding main characteristic.