Messaouden, ZohirBouchahdane, MohamedBoutora, SalihaZebiri, Fouad2026-01-072025https://dspace.univ-boumerdes.dz/handle/123456789/15915Ensuring service continuity in electrical networks requires effective protection systems, with Directional Overcurrent Relay (DOCR) coordination as a key challenge. This paper applies the White Shark Optimizer (WSO) to optimize relay settings in a 9-bus system. A user-defined characteristic enhances relay modeling flexibility. The objective function penalizes miscoordination and instability, improving reliability. Results show reduced operation times with proper coordination. WSO’s strong exploration and exploitation ensure fast, reliable convergence to optimal relay settings.enDirectional Overcurrent RelayWhite Shark OptimizerProtection CoordinationOther