Optimal sectionalizing switches allocation in distribution networks

Automatic devices that locate and automatically sectionalize faulted branch es in MV voltage power distributions systems restrict drastically the exten t of disruption caused by long power interruptions when properly positioned . Some algorithms and automatic calculation procedures are proposed here fo r determining the optimum number and location of automatic sectionalizing s witching di vices. Using these algorithms, the optimal solution can be foun d for both radial and meshed systems. The procedure is based on Bellmann's optimality principle which, combined with thinning techniques yields findin g the optimal solution in a few ms for real sire problems.