Power swing evoked by sudden changes like faults or switching operations will become more and more important for protective relaying, due to the growing load flow in electrical power networks. Unwanted trips of the distance protection function must be avoided to prevent cascading effects and blackouts in the network. Selective out-of-step-tripping is required to stop unstable power swing and to prevent damage to affected generators. Therefore a reliable method for detection of power swing is presented, which requires no settings for operation. Power swing can be detected from 0.1 Hz up to 10 Hz swing frequency, also during open pole condition and during asymmetrical operation. A blocking logic prevents unselective trips by the distance protection. However, faults that occur during a power swing must be detected and cleared with a high degree of selectivity and dependability. For unstable power swing a flexible out of step tripping function will be proposed. The coordination of power swing detection, distance protection and out of step protection provides a reliable system protection.