Patent ID: 8041464

Claim:
A method for radial power distribution systems of using a knowledge-based system by a computer processor for finding an initially closed switch to open because of the load transfer necessitated by an initially open switch being closed or for finding an initially open switch to close to assume the load transfer necessitated by an initially closed switch being opened or for finding an initially closed switch to open because of the load transfer necessitated by a short circuit due to a power system component failure or for finding an initially open switch to close to assume the load transfer necessitated by an open circuit due to power system component failure, such that radiality is maintained in a radial power distribution system, comprising the steps of: a. determining which other rule bases to activate by the first rule base, b. determining whether to open a particular switch by the second rule base if said second rule base is activated by said first rule base, c. using a breadth first search in finding a corresponding initially open switch to close by the third rule base if said third rule base is activated by said first rule base, d. determining whether to close a particular switch by the fourth rule base if said fourth rule base is activated by said first rule base, e. using a breadth first search in finding a corresponding initially closed switch to open by the fifth rule base is said fifth rule base is activated by said first rule base, whereby an initially open switch is closed to assume the load transfer necessitated by a switch opening or an initially closed switch is opened because of the load transfer necessitated by a switch closing or an initially open switch is closed to assume the load transfer necessitated by an open circuit due to failure of a power system component or an initially closed switch is opened because of the load transfer necessitated by a short circuit due to failure of a power system component, and whereby radiality is maintained in the power distribution system.