Patent ID: 8526156

Claim:
A system for detecting and isolating a fault in an electric power distribution system, comprising: an intelligent electronic device including an input for receiving signals from a feeder of the distribution system and a receiver for receiving signals corresponding to a power system condition on a branch of the distribution system; a first protective equipment on the feeder of the distribution system configured to open upon receiving a signal from the intelligent electronic device; a second protective equipment on the branch of the distribution system configured to open the branch; and a high-speed signaling device in communication with the branch, comprising a sensing circuit configured to detect a power system condition on the branch, a signaling circuit in communication with the sensing circuit configured to produce a modulated signal corresponding to the power system condition, and a transmitter in communication with the signaling circuit for transmitting the modulated signal to the intelligent electronic device; wherein upon the detection of a fault, the modulated signal comprises an indication of both a fault condition and an indication of a phase associated with the fault condition.