The performance of the tripping output contact of the protection device is an important index for assessing the characteristics of relays.There are strict rules and requirements on its safety performance in relevant standards.However，no explicit requirements are specified on the method for testing.According to the specified requirements of contact performance test in IEC 60255-1，this paper devises methods for testing the performance of the tripping output contact of relays through theoretical calculation by considering the mechanical endurance，the limit making capacity，the contact current and the limit breaking capacity.And circuits for testing are actually built.The test results have verified that the proposed methods are applicable to testing the performance of tripping output contacts of protection devices.