A system , comprising: at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers , wherein one of the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers comprises a lead motor-driven prime mover and a second of the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers comprises a lag motor-driven prime mover that operates in response to the lead motor-driven prime mover being in distress; a plurality of sensors , coupled to the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers , that measure operational data associated with the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers ; a motor protection system , coupled to the plurality of sensors , that generates a plurality of motor protection measurements from the operational data measured by the plurality of sensors ; and a controller , coupled to the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers and the motor protection system, that controls operation of the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers as a function of the plurality of motor protection measurements, wherein the controller uses the plurality of motor protection measurements to determine if the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress, the controller activating operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover in response to determining that the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress, wherein the controller activates operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover prior to tripping the distressed lead motor-driven prime mover , characterized in that the controller utilizes a motor protection curve defined for a process in which the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers operate, wherein the motor protection curve provides a safe run-time for operating the distressed lead motor-driven prime mover at an overload current level, and wherein the motor protection curve provides a maximum backup starting time for activating operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover prior to the tripping of the distressed lead motor-driven prime mover . at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers , wherein one of the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers comprises a lead motor-driven prime mover and a second of the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers comprises a lag motor-driven prime mover that operates in response to the lead motor-driven prime mover being in distress; a plurality of sensors , coupled to the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers , that measure operational data associated with the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers ; a motor protection system , coupled to the plurality of sensors , that generates a plurality of motor protection measurements from the operational data measured by the plurality of sensors ; and a controller , coupled to the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers and the motor protection system, that controls operation of the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers as a function of the plurality of motor protection measurements, wherein the controller uses the plurality of motor protection measurements to determine if the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress, the controller activating operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover in response to determining that the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress, wherein the controller activates operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover prior to tripping the distressed lead motor-driven prime mover , characterized in that the controller utilizes a motor protection curve defined for a process in which the at least two redundant motor-driven prime movers operate, wherein the motor protection curve provides a safe run-time for operating the distressed lead motor-driven prime mover at an overload current level, and wherein the motor protection curve provides a maximum backup starting time for activating operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover prior to the tripping of the distressed lead motor-driven prime mover . <EOS>