A power distribution system for regulating transfer of energy from a source on a source side and including source terminals (31a, 31b) to a load on a load side and including load terminals (32a, 32b), the system comprising: a) a source controller on the source side of the power distribution system in communication with and responsive to a source sensor that provides feedback to the source controller that includes at least a signal indicative of electric current through the source terminals (31a, 31b); b) a source switching bridge electrically coupled with the source controller and responsive to control signals from the source controller for electrically disconnecting the source from the source terminals (31a, 31b) and for applying a source voltage in either a forward-polarity or reverse-polarity state relative to the source terminals (31a, 31b); c) a load disconnect device configured to electrically decouple the load from the load terminals (32a, 32b); and d) a logic device implemented in at least the source controller and configured to place the source switching bridge into a reverse-polarity state and configured to perform at least one current measurement on the current passing through the source terminals (31a, 31b) when the source switching bridge is in the reverse-polarity state, wherein a current measurement outside of predetermined high or low limits indicates that there is a foreign object or living organism making contact with the source or load terminals (32a, 32b) or a failure in the power distribution system, and configured to electrically disconnect the source from the source terminals (31a, 31b) if the current measurement falls outside the predetermined high and low limits. a) a source controller on the source side of the power distribution system in communication with and responsive to a source sensor that provides feedback to the source controller that includes at least a signal indicative of electric current through the source terminals (31a, 31b); b) a source switching bridge electrically coupled with the source controller and responsive to control signals from the source controller for electrically disconnecting the source from the source terminals (31a, 31b) and for applying a source voltage in either a forward-polarity or reverse-polarity state relative to the source terminals (31a, 31b); c) a load disconnect device configured to electrically decouple the load from the load terminals (32a, 32b); and d) a logic device implemented in at least the source controller and configured to place the source switching bridge into a reverse-polarity state and configured to perform at least one current measurement on the current passing through the source terminals (31a, 31b) when the source switching bridge is in the reverse-polarity state, wherein a current measurement outside of predetermined high or low limits indicates that there is a foreign object or living organism making contact with the source or load terminals (32a, 32b) or a failure in the power distribution system, and configured to electrically disconnect the source from the source terminals (31a, 31b) if the current measurement falls outside the predetermined high and low limits.