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

Reliable electricity supply is critical to modern power systems, with outages imposing significant economic and social costs. For Distribution System Operators (DSOs), improving supply continuity is increasingly important as networks adapt to decentralised generation, electrification, and evolving reliability expectations. Ireland’s rural MV (medium voltage) network, dominated by long overhead feeders and extensive single‑phase spurs, faces frequent transient faults from timber/vegetation, wildlife and severe weather. This paper quantifies the reliability impact of automated reclosers (single‑ and three‑phase) integrated with