Quantifying the Impact of Automated Reclosers on Supply Continuity in Irish MV (Medium-Voltage) Networks

SCADA/NMS on ESB Networks (ESBN) feeders. Using regulatory continuity metrics including Customer Interruptions (CI), Customer Hours Lost (CHL), this paper compared the pre‑ and post‑installation performance. Across studied outlets, CI and CHL fell dramatically after targeted deployments. Case studies (Donabate, Lusk/Rush, Dunshaughlin) show major customer-impact reductions despite similar fault volumes. A novel case study from Ireland’s

Southwest region demonstrates how automation strategies can overcome imbalance-driven protection challenges in single-phase rural networks, reducing upstream CB tripping and improving continuity metrics without costly undergrounding. The paper also examines integrated measures (vegetation management, lightning protection, wildlife mitigation, design upgrades) and outlines cost‑benefit considerations. Results demonstrate that automation delivers significant reliability gains without costly undergrounding, reinforcing its role in strengthening continuity and resilience in overhead-dominant networks and supporting the transition toward a more reliable, automated distribution system.