Secure and dependable differential protection for electric power generators is described herein. An internal fault is declared if the operating current exceeds a function of the restraining current, and the operating current exceeds and adjusted pickup value. The adjusted pickup value is selected as a minimum of a compensated first pickup value and a second pickup value. The compensated first pickup value may be calculated by adding the absolute value of a compensation addend with a first pickup value. The compensation addend may be calculated by filtering, compensating, and summing current values from the neutral side and the power system side of the electrical generator. The absolute value of the compensation addend may be further adjusted using a security compensation factor.