Upon completion of relay testing, why is it important to operate the trip contacts?

Operating the trip contacts is essential to ensure positive tripping of the lockout relay. This process confirms that the relay functions correctly under fault conditions and can effectively disconnect the circuit to protect equipment and personnel. In relay testing, verifying that the trip contacts operate properly indicates that the relay will perform its critical safety function when needed.

Ensuring that the relay trips as intended is crucial for the reliability of the protective scheme in place, which is fundamental in maintaining system integrity and safety during abnormal conditions. The successful operation of the trip contacts showcases that the entire protection system will react appropriately to faults, contributing to overall operational safety and reliability.