In order to solve the problem of wasteful investment cost caused by blindly configuring the “three remote” terminals in the distribution network, this paper establishes a novel model to optimize the placement of centralized feeder automation terminal units, which considers not only economic cost and power supply reliability, but also the difference in user importance and multiple reliability indicators. What’s more, this paper presents a detailed analysis method of distribution network reliability considering the access impact of "one-remote", "two-remote" and "three-remote" terminal units. This model is solved by a variety of classical intelligent algorithms, and their results are compared in detail. The feasibility and effectiveness of the model and method for this terminal units placement optimization problem are verified by a case study of RBTS BUS5 system.