A system and method for detecting a high impedance fault in an electrical line strung along and between utility poles, where the line is part of an electrical power distribution network. A current sensor is provided on each line segment between the utility poles, where each current sensor harvests power therefrom and continuously monitors the current flow on the line segment. An observer/repeater device is provided on a number of the poles and each is in communication with certain select ones of the current sensors to receive the current measurements therefrom. One of the observer/repeater devices compares the current readings transmitted to it from the subordinate current sensors, and if a violation of Kirchhoff's current law exists, an indication of a high impedance fault occurs, where the observer/repeater device relays the current irregularity to an upstream recloser to take appropriate action.