With the construction of new power systems

users' demand for power supply reliability is increasing day by day

and the optimal deployment of switches

as the main executing device in the self-healing process of distribution networks

plays a key role in improving the reliability of distribution networks. The new soft open point (SOP) has the characteristics of real-time response and voltage support

which can replace the contact switch in traditional distribution networks

so as to realize the flexible interconnection between the feeders

and provide a new approach for improving the reliability of distribution networks. To this end

this paper proposes an optimal deployment model of multi-type switches in flexible distribution networks with explicitly integrated reliability expression

which delivers a fine-grained characterization of the action coupling relationship between flexible switches and traditional switches in different stages of the self-healing process of distribution networks

and establishes an explicit analytical relationship between different switch types and system reliability indicators

so as to obtain the optimal multi-type switch deployment scheme. Finally

the model is tested by a distribution network example to verify its correctness and effectiveness.