Patent 11128119 was granted and assigned to Florida Power & Light on September, 2021 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A power distribution system adapted for high current fault management during a fault event utilizes reclosing switches configured for a quick-slow-quick reclosing sequence in which the reclosing switch initially responds to the fault condition by tripping open, and then after a delay recloses for a first duration of time (slow) prior to tripping open. After another delay, the reclosing switch recloses for a second duration of time (quick) that is less than the first duration of time prior to tripping open for an indefinite interval. When installed in new segments or retrofitted in place of a fuse, reclosing switches configured with quick-slow-quick reclose timing allows for reduction of downstream customer outages, reduced I2T exposure for elements upstream of a fault event and a reduction in the duration of voltage sags experienced by customers during fault events while allowing for improved fault management configurations of the power distribution system.