Abstract
Smart automation is acquiring a high importance in current distribution systems. The high number of buses, the radial topology, the small number of sensors and automated devices, require new approaches in managing fault conditions. These approaches must be able to deal with a high level of uncertainty of the state of the system and the measurement data. In this paper a novel method for fault location and isolation is proposed, which is based on the principle of entropy minimization. The algorithm builds a switch operation strategy which is able to locate the fault in a minimum number of manoeuvres, and therefore to reduce the impact of blackouts in terms of power unavailability. The application of the method on different distribution network topologies, with different levels of automation in terms of fault indicators and remotely controlled switches, demonstrates the potential of the method for distribution system analysis and supporting system automation planning.