Method and apparatus for automated reconfiguration of an electric power distribution system with enhanced protection

摘要

A system for automated reconfiguration of a distribution system comprises a first plurality of switches (204) located in the distribution system. A first plurality of switch controllers (200; 903A, 903B) controls respective switches (204) in the first plurality of switches and includes resources (208, 212) which monitor the distribution system. Said switch controllers (200; 903A, 903B) communicate information with at least one other switch controller (200; 903A, 903B) in the first plurality of switch controllers and control operation of their respective switches (204) to perform fault isolation or reconfiguration based on the detection of conditions requiring fault isolation and the communicated information. At least one of the switch controllers (903A) also communicates with at least one external device (903C) external to the first plurality of switch controllers to obtain additional information about the condition of the system that is used to control reconfiguration.