The augmentation in electricity demand

power system privatization as well as efficacy of renewable resources has paved the way for power system companies and researchers to exploit the field of grid connected distributed generation (DG) and its issues

islanding being a dominant one. Several research works have been conducted to mitigate the issues of islanding detection (ID). In context of this

the paper gives a comprehensive review of islanding issues

standard test systems

criteria and shifting of research trends in islanding detection methods (IDMs). The significant contributions pertain to categorization of IDMs

evaluation of non-detection zone (NDZ) for each test system

disquisition on evolution and advancement of IDMs and its comparisons based on criteria such as NDZ

run on time

nuisance tripping percentage

applicability in multi DG system and implementation cost to draw out the strength and shortcomings of individual methods that will come to aid to the companies or researchers for establishing the applicability and appropriateness of such method for their concerned domain.