Polarizing signals for electric power system directional overcurrent and distance protection are disclosed herein. The polarizing signal may be determined using a power system tracking signal, generated using a synchronous reference frame to track to a pre-fault voltage, and maintained using a phase-locked loop. The power system tracking signal may be used for a time after a voltage signal is lost, after which a self-polarizing signal may be used. Where voltage signals are not available, a current may be used to generate the polarizing signal.