This thesis work will provide a brief history of power distribution, then it will depict what a modern distribution network looks like and introduce two core nodes of the network, the primary and secondary substation. It will then describe how Distribution System Operators (DSOs) are either penalized or remunerated basing on quality of continuity of service indicators and it will introduce the italian example: the indicators defined by ARERA, to convey the need DSOs have of taking measures to reduce the duration of interruptions (power outages) of service caused by faults in the network. The study will then introduce remote controlling, the ability of operators to open or close switches remotely, and automation, the ability of the network itself to enact strategies aimed at reducing the duration of interruptions, to highlight the importance of routers in smart grids, and specifically in secondary substations.