Dynamic graph for data propagation

A method for representing a topology of a power distribution network, the network including at least one power source, a feeder and a plurality of switching devices positioned along the feeder and being in communications with each other, where each device includes a memory that stores a device list having its local device indices and a team list having its local team indices, the method comprising:

• identifying each of the switching devices with a unique local device index;
• and
• providing a device list in each switching device that includes the local device index of each of the switching devices, identification of other switching devices on an X-side of each of the switching devices, identification of other switching devices on a Y-side of each of the switching devices and device specific data, wherein the X and Y-sides of the switching device is a physical orientation of the device when it is installed;
• and
• automatically updating and revising the device list by transmitting messages between and among the switching devices with information and data in the device list of one or more of the switching devices.

A system for representing a topology of a power distribution network, the network including at least one power source, a feeder and a plurality of switching devices positioned along the feeder and being in communications with each other, the network being represented by a plurality of teams where each team includes one side of adjacent switching devices and loads and power line sections therebetween, where each device includes a memory that stores a device list having its local device indices and a team list having its local team indices, the system comprising:

• means for identifying each of the switching devices with a unique local device index;
• means for identifying each of the teams with a unique local team index;
• means for providing a device list in each switching device that includes the local device index of each of the switching devices, the local team index of the team on an X-side of each of the switching devices, the local team index of the team on a Y-side of each of the switching devices and device specific data, wherein the X and Y-sides of the switching device is a physical orientation of the device when it is installed;
• and
• means for providing a team list in each switching device that includes the local team index of each of the teams, the switching devices on each team and team specific data, wherein the topology of the network can be obtained by either the device list or the team list.