The approaches to construction of the relay protection with the absolute and relative selectivity of lumped objects (transformers, package switchgears) and distributed objects (overhead and cable lines) of the power distribution networks with consideration of the nonlinear behavior of the electric arc transient resistance in the fault place are considered. The presence of the nonlinear transient resistance of the high-voltage electric arc has both a negative impact, which results in the reduction in the relay protection sensitivity and the faults detectability associated with the interfering factors, and a positive impact, consisting in the information base enhancement, for instance, the occurrence of high-frequency components, the asymmetry in case of three-phase short circuits, thermal (light) radiation, etc. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the basic informational indicators, used for the basic and backup relay protections of the local (lumped) and distributed objects, was performed; the recommendations for the indicators applications were developed.