This thesis proposes a methodology for fault location in distribution systems, focusing on the stages corresponding to the process associated with the management of the maintenance operator during a fault: segmentation and detection, location, and characterization of the cause. Each of these stages is presented individually, and methods are proposed to solve the problem. Initially, the identification/segmentation process is analyzed, in which the transient and stable states of the fault are determined from the instantaneous values of voltage and current, validating the application of this proposal with events with a rectangular waveform and events with fast and slow transitions. Subsequently, the problem of fault location is analyzed from the application of a metaheuristic optimization method, which uses the measured values of voltage and current of the fault in the stable state to make a comparison with the calculated values, validating the results from fault simulations on an industrial distribution network with sources at different points of the network. Finally, the characterization of the root cause of the faults is explored, seeking to classify whether the fault events occur due to contact with trees, animals, or lightning discharges. Keywords: fault location, distribution network, power quality segmentation, root cause.This thesis proposes a methodology for fault location in distribution systems, focusing on the stages corresponding to the process associated with the management of the maintenance operator during a fault: segmentation and detection, location, and characterization of the cause. Each of these stages is presented individually, and methods are proposed to solve the problem. Initially, the identification/segmentation process is analyzed, in which the transient and stable states of the fault are determined from the instantaneous values of voltage and current, validating the application of this proposal with events with a rectangular waveform and events with fast and slow transitions. Subsequently, the problem of fault location is analyzed from the application of a metaheuristic optimization method, which uses the measured values of voltage and current of the fault in the stable state to make a comparison with the calculated values, validating the results from fault simulations on an industrial distribution network with sources at different points of the network. Finally, the characterization of the root cause of the faults is explored, seeking to classify whether the fault events occur due to contact with trees, animals, or lightning discharges. Keywords: fault location, distribution network, power quality segmentation, root cause.