The power supply paths play an important role in the distribution network analysis. However

the distribution network is often complex in practice and it is necessary to simplify the distribution network model before searching the power supply paths. A simplified method of distribution network model based on common information model(CIM)and a path searching algorithm for distribution network based on the depth first traversal in the network simplification results are proposed. Firstly

the distribution network model is stored in a graph data structure and the network is simplified by using the graph theory algorithms. Subsequently

all the power supply paths of load nodes are searched in the distribution network by the path searching algorithm and classified into three categories of path sets respectively in terms of electric source

the load at the end of paths and the branch which the paths pass through. The path searching algorithm can be applied to the distribution network analysis such as describing the topological structure of the distribution network and the state of the branch switches. Finally

a typical distribution network framework in a provincial capital and IEEE network with 123 nodes are taken as examples to validate the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed network simplification method and path searching algorithm.