System and method for performing fault management in electric distribution networks

A system for performing fault management in an electric distribution network, comprising:

• a plurality of fault indicators (FIs),
• a plurality of remote-controlled sectionalizing switches (RCSs), and
• a plurality of manual sectionalizing switches (MSs) arranged in the electric distribution network,
• wherein the plurality of FIs are configured to detect faults within the electric distribution network and provide information on the detected faults,
• the plurality of RCSs and the plurality of MSs are configured to isolate faulty parts from the electric distribution network to ensure power supply to unfaulty parts,
• the plurality of FIs, the plurality of RCSs, and the plurality of MSs are arranged at locations within the electric distribution network that are determined by solving an objective function, such that a sum of (1) an equipment factor associated with the plurality of FIs, the plurality of RCSs, and the plurality of MSs, and (2) an outage factor associated with service interruptions of the electric distribution network, to be minimized, and
• the objective function includes a first term representing an outage factor calculated based on malfunction probability of the plurality of FIs, the plurality of RCSs, and the plurality of MSs.