A virtual closed loop power distribution system couples a parallel source to a feeder upon an initial indication of a fault existing on a distribution feeder If the fault is persistent, a fault protection system including fault protection devices segmenting the distribution feeder operates to isolate the fault segment of the distribution feeder from each of the coupled sources. The coupled sources provide substantially uninterrupted service to the non-faulted segments of the distribution feeder until a circuit reconfiguration and return-to-normal function operates to restore the system upon repair of the fault.

A mounting assembly includes a trunnion body portion and a coupled guiding member. The guiding member may be a spring or spring like and may further include a blocking structure. The trunnion body portion may include a loop.

A reclosing fault protection device detects a partial bypass state. Upon detecting the partial bypass state, the fault protection device implements a ground trip delay operating state. The ground trip delay operating state provides a delayed ground trip response characteristic.

A fault interrupting and reclosing device includes a circuit interrupter coupled to an actuator. The actuator includes at least one force generating element for generating an opening force for opening the circuit interrupter and for generating a restoring force to close the circuit interrupter. The device further includes a latch to engage the actuator to hold the contacts open once opened. In a preferred arrangement, the device is provided with an automatic mode of operation including a reclose process and a non-reclosing mode of operation. The device also preferably includes a method of determining the end-of-life of a vacuum interrupter monitors characteristics and/or parameters of a fault current or vacuum interrupter operation to predict a percent of life consumed with each fault current interruption operation. A cumulative percent of life consumed may also be determined, and an end-of-life may be predicted based upon the cumulative percent of life consumed.

A fault interrupter and a method of operating a fault interrupter to reduce arcing time during fault interruption. Fault interrupter operation is delayed following detecting a peak current such that its operation occurs at a point of the current wave resulting in reduced arcing during fault isolation.