Relays are field tested using secondary current/voltage injection, the CT/PT's tested separately, then by current/voltage injection into the relay. The relay outputs are used to trip the breaker (trip and close tests). Once that is accomplished the system is energized and the actual voltage/current verified that it's actually correct in the relay and the logic is correct in the program to operate correctly.
As a practical matter if it's tripped, the built in oscillography and sequence of events in the relay will tell, on review, if its operating correctly or falsely.
David