Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Electrical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / The electric power distribution network, an essential section of the electric power system, supplies electrical power to the customer. Automating the distribution network allows for better efficiency, reliability, and level of work through the installation of distribution control systems. Presently, research and development efforts are focused in the area of communication technologies and application of the IEC 61850 protocol to make distribution automation more comprehensive, efficient and affordable. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate the relevance of the IEC61850 standard-based technology in the development and investigation of the distribution automation for a typical underground distribution network through the development of a distribution automation algorithm for fault detection, location, isolation and service restoration and the building of a lab scale test bench Distribution Automation (DA) has been around for many decades and each utility applies its developments for different reasons. Nowadays, due to the advancement in the communication technology, authentic and automatic reconfigurable power system that replies swiftly to instantaneous events is possible. Distribution automation functions do not only supersede legacy devices, but it allows the distribution network to function on another lever. The primary function of a DA system is to enable the devices on the distribution network to be operated and controlled remotely to automatically locate, isolate and reconnect supply during fault conditions. Utilities have become increasingly interested in DA due to the numerous benefits it offers. Operations, maintenance and efficiencies within substations and out on the feeders can be improved by the development of new additional capabilities of DA. Furthermore, the new standard-based technology has advanced further than a traditional Distribution Supervisory and Control Data Acquisition (DSCADA) system. These days the most important components of a DA system include Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs). IEDs have evolved through the years and execute various protection related actions, monitoring and control functions and are very promising for improving the operation of the DA systems. The thesis has developed an algorithm for automatic fault detection, location, isolation and system supply restoration using the functions of the IEC61850 standard-based technology. A lab scale system that would meet existing and future requirements for the control and automation of a typical underground distribution system is designed and constructed. The requirement for the lab scale distribution system is to have the ability to clear faults through reliable and fast protection operation, isolate faulted section/s, on the network and restore power to the unaffected parts of the network through automation control operation functions of the IEC61850 standard. Various tests and simulations have been done on the lab scale test bench to prove that the objective of the thesis is achieved. Keywords: IEC61850 Standard, Distribution automation, Distribution automation system, IEDs, Lab scale test bench, Protection, Algorithm for automatic control