The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for detecting transient high-torque events associated with rotating machinery in an electric power system. In one embodiment, a relay may comprise an electrical parameters module configured to receive a representation of a voltage and a current at a terminal of rotating machinery in an electric power system. A torque calculation module may be configured to continuously determine a calculated torque value for the rotating machinery using the representation of the voltage and the current at the terminal of the rotating machinery; and to compare each calculated torque value to a threshold. An action module may be configured to generate an alarm when the calculated torque value exceeds the threshold. A log module may be configured to generate a log comprising a peak of the calculated torque value and a time at which the peak torque value occurs.