By　researching　models　of　hybrid　cable-overhead　multiple　branch　distribution　lines　with　distributed　generators,　a　novel　fault　location　method　is　proposed　which　combines　binary　particle　swarm　optimisation　(BPSO)　and　a　genetic　algorithm.　These　two　methods　are　mixed　using　a　double　population　evolution　strategy　and　information　sharing　technology.　The　proposed　fault　location　method　consists　of　section　line　location　and　distance　detection.　On　the　basis　of　the　mutation　direction　differences　of　the　transient　zero　sequence　current　and　voltage　of　each　section　line　when　a　fault　occurs,　the　authors　propose　a　new　coding　criterion　and　method　capable　of　section　line　location.　Distance　detection　equations　are　built　through　double-end　steady-state　positive　sequence　voltage　distribution　regulations　along　the　transmission　lines　and　are　then　solved　by　the　proposed　hybrid　BPSO　genetic　algorithm.　Through　simulation　and　experiment,　the　proposed　hybrid　algorithm　is　shown　to　have　good　performance.　The　effectiveness　of　the　proposed　fault　location　method　is　proven　to　be　accurate　and　reliable　and　it　is　insensitive　to　impact　factors　such　as　fault　distance,　fault　angle,　and　ground　resistance.　©　The　Institution　of　Engineering　and　Technology　2016.