Power distribution systems and methods of performing zone selective interlocking in power distribution systems with a communication network

An electrical power distribution system comprising:

• a first circuit protection device coupled to an electrical power source, said first circuit protection device comprising:
• a first trip unit configured to selectively trip to prevent a flow of electrical current through said first circuit protection device;
• a first network interface communicatively coupled to a communication network;
• a first memory device;
• and
• a first processor;
• and
• a second circuit protection device disposed downstream of said first circuit protection device, said second circuit protection device comprising:
• a second trip unit configured to selectively trip to prevent a flow of electrical current through said second circuit protection device;
• a second network interface communicatively coupled to the communication network;
• a second processor;
• and
• a second memory device storing instructions that, when executed by said second processor, cause said second processor to transmit, using said second network interface, zone selective interlocking (ZSI) data to said first circuit protection device, the ZSI data formatted according to a network communication protocol of the communication network.