The Aim of the paper is to show that improved power supply reliability and electric power system stability are achieved by applying new methods of testing relay protection and automation (RPaA). Major cascading failures in electric power systems are caused by cascading effects, i.e., effects involving several successive effects of various nature. Cascading effects allow extending the functionality while testing RP&A and taking into account the time factor in the context of effects of various nature. Method. A method is proposed for testing relay protection and automation taking into account the cascading effect that is used in the process of development, calibration and installation of protection devices for operation in predefined modes for the purpose of improved power supply reliability and unfailing stability of electric power systems. Result. Intermittent cascading effects do not allow the relay protection and automation recover the electric power system from the post-emergency mode, thus reducing the dynamic stability to the critical level. The diagram of relay protection and automation exposure allows taking into consideration the environmental effects in the process of testing the relay protection and automation. Conclusion. The proposed method of cascading exposure as part of testing relay protection and automation can be used in the process of development, calibration and installation of electric power systems protection and will enable improved stability of electric power systems and reliability of power supply.