Patent ID: 6907321

Claim:
A control system for automatically reconnecting power to customers in a distribution automation multi-feed power network on a fault disconnecting customers in the network, comprising: at least two separate power sources, each power source comprising s power feed to the network, an autorecloser switch, and means for connecting each power source for delivering power to at least some of the customers in the power network; means to allow the power network to be divided into sub-networks each of which connectable to a power source; a plurality of fault isolation switches for disconnecting customers positioned in series in said sub-network, each isolation switch comprising either an open or closed state and connected to a separate intelligent switch controller; actuating means in each intelligent switch controller to actuate each isolation switch to either an open or closed state; fault detection means to determine if a fault exists in said power network and in the event a fault is detected in a sub-network, the auto-recloser switch trips each isolation switch to an open state to disconnect each customer in said sub-network; timing logic means within each intelligent switch controller for sequentially restoring power to each isolation switch on said intelligent switch controller determining a no fault condition at each isolation switch; identifying means within each intelligent switch controller to determine a fault condition at each isolation switch from said fault detection means and said timing logic means and, on identifying a fault at said isolation switch, means to isolate said fault by configuring said isolation switch open to a lockout state to disconnect customers associated with said isolation switch and means to keep each isolation switch open positioned in series thereafter from said power source in said sub-network; and means within each intelligent switch controller, on identifying and isolating said fault, to implement a local control means to automatically after a predetermined delay period, connect said open isolation switches positioned in series sequentially to said other sub-network and close each open isolation switch to deliver power to disconnected customers from said other power source whereby a minimum number of customers are disconnected from said power sources in said power network.