A method and apparatus for monitoring a centrally controlled power distribution system is provided. The method includes sampling an electrical current flow in the centrally controlled power distribution system, transmitting the sampled current signals to a central control processing unit, determining a ground fault presence and location based on the current signals received from all of the node electronics units, and isolating the determined ground fault by opening circuit breakers supplying power to the fault. The apparatus is configured to sample an electrical current flow in the centrally controlled power distribution system, transmit the sampled current signals associated with each circuit breaker to a central control processing unit, determine a ground fault presence and location based on the current signals received from all of the node electronics units in the power distribution system, and isolate the determined ground fault by opening circuit breakers supplying power to the fault.