What is the primary operational difference between a radial and a networked distribution system concerning fault handling?

In a radial distribution system, power flows from a single source, typically a substation, to the customers along a single path, similar to branches on a tree. If a fault occurs on any section of this path, the entire section downstream from the fault is typically isolated, resulting in an outage for all customers served by that section. Fault isolation is achieved by opening protective devices like circuit breakers or fuses located upstream of the fault. The primary operational difference in a networked distribution system, also known as a looped or meshed system, is the presence of multiple power sources and pathways to reach customers. This redundancy allows for an alternate path to be established when a fault occurs. When a fault is detected, the system automatically isolates the faulted section by opening switches or breakers on both sides of the fault, but power can still reach customers through the alternative path. This minimizes the number of customers experiencing an outage, improving overall system reliability. The key difference is that radial systems lead to outages downstream of a fault, while networked systems reroute power to maintain service to most customers, isolating only the immediate faulted section.