Abstract: The communication system provides audio communication with a user over a phone system of messages and other information originated in non-audio form by a protective device such as a protective relay or the like for an electric power system. The communication system includes a text-to-voice conversion processor responsive to the messages provided by the protective device, and an access control system for establishing phone system communication with a user, including answering incoming telephone calls from the user and initiating dialing-out calls with selected users having telephone numbers known to the communications system. Text material from a protective device is converted to audio and provided to a user, such as a technician for the power system.