This review of the practices and philosophies of protective relaying in Europe shows the distinctive differences between European and U. S. practices. Greater use is made of gas and pressure relays for transformers, there is more use of complete single-pole tripping and reclosing facilities for ground faults, more underreaching distance relays with remote tripping by carrier, more complete operating records, a greater number of manufacturers in all Europe, but comparatively the same number per country, and greater dependence on international conferences for exchange of ideas. National practices and trends are presented.