Fault isolation in overhead distribution networks: New developments in outdoor fault detectors

In recent years, the importance of power quality is rapidly growing. As a consequence, distributors are called to guarantee a reduced number and duration of supply interruptions by adopting new strategies in order to identify and isolate faults along distribution feeders. In the paper some recent results obtained in the development of outdoor fault detectors for overhead lines are reported. Furthermore many possible applications of the innovative current and voltage sensors to future active distribution networks with Distributed Generation have been identified.