Apparatus and method for distributing electrical power

Apparatus for distributing electrical power from power substation circuits wherein each substation circuit includes feeder conductors and a circuit breaker assembly located at said substation configured to open when current flowing through the conductors exceeds a predetermined value, said apparatus comprising:

• at least one fault isolating switch member positionable in series with the feeder conductors of each substation circuit so as to define a line side and a load side, each said at least one isolating switch member having current sensing means operatively associated therewith for measuring current values on said load side of said isolating switch member and for providing information indicating the measured current values;
• and
• isolating switch actuating means associated with a corresponding said at least one fault isolating switch member for determining if said measured current value exceeds a predetermined value and for selectively actuating, in response to the information indicating the measured current values from the corresponding fault detecting means, said at least one fault isolating switch member when said measured current value exceeds said predetermined value, said isolating switch actuating means having a predetermined time delay before actuating said at least one fault isolating switch member, such that said time delay corresponds with the opening of the substation circuit breaker assembly, wherein each isolating switch actuating means operates independent of information from other fault isolating switch members.