A modular intelligent electronic overload device that requires only a single configuration file to describe the device with all of the available options. Furthermore, the modular intelligent electronic overload device contains embedded application files that provide commonly used control algorithms into the non-volatile memory of the modular intelligent electronic overload device that can be accessed by a user to configure the device without the need for a personal computer. Finally, the modular intelligent electronic overload device configuration parameters can be stored to virtual non-volatile memory contained in an associated user interface device, allowing for easy replacement of the modular intelligent electronic overload device.