Which statement best describes why switches are installed in distribution feeder circuits?

• A. To redirect power flows for load balancing
• B. To sectionalize or isolate a section for repairs
• C. To reduce the system's susceptibility to fault current
• D. Both A and B

Answer: (D)

Switches in distribution feeder circuits provide two key capabilities: they let operators redirect power flows to balance loading, and they allow sectionalizing a portion of the feeder to isolate it for repairs or after a fault. By closing and opening switches, a feeder can be reconfigured so other feeders pick up load that would otherwise overheat or sag on a single path, improving voltage regulation and reliability. At the same time, opening a switch to section off a part of the circuit lets crews work safely on a segment without shutting down the entire feeder, and it contains and limits outages to a smaller area. While switches influence the path a fault can take, they don’t by themselves reduce the actual fault current; protective devices and network impedance determine fault current levels. So the best description is that switches enable both load balancing through reconfiguration and isolation for repairs.