Abstract: A control system is used in an intelligent power distribution network. The power distribution network includes multiple branches, each of which is connected to a power source, electrical devices connected to the branches, and a normally-open device connected between two or more branches. The control system includes control elements, each control elements being associated with an electrical device connected to a branch of the distribution network. The control system also includes a master control element associated with the normally-open device. The master control element communicates with the control elements and, when a fault occurs on the distribution network, prevents the normally-open device from closing when information from the control elements indicate that conditions potentially disruptive to the distribution network would occur if the normally-open device were closed.