Factors affecting Distribution Loss

Loss dependence on Transformer Size

Suppose demand: 20 KW
Monthly energy sell : 4320 unit
The minimum standard size transformer required is 25
kVA
Transformer Loss variation with transformer size
Transformer
Rating(kVA)

No Load
Loss(kW)

Rated Load
Loss (kW)

Monthly
No Load
Energy
loss(kWh)

Monthly
Load Loss
(kWh)

Total Energy
loss (kWh)

Percentage
Energy Loss

25

0.10

0.30

72.00

27.65

99.65

2.31%

50

0.17

0.50

122.40

11.52

133.92

3.10%

100

0.30

0.85

216.00

4.90

220.90

5.11%

160

0.44

1.30

316.80

2.93

319.73

7.40%

200

0.60

1.60

432.00

2.30

434.30

10.05%

Loss dependence on Load center Size

Feeder wise power loss

Loss Summary

Loss dependence on Load pattern

Suppose for the same load center with
monthly energy demand same as for
previous case i.e. Monthly energy sell :
15552 unit
But the all energy is
consumed in 3 hours
consumed in 6 hours
consumed in 12 hours
consumed in 24 hours

Loss variation with demand pattern

LT loss scenario

Loss dependence on feeder unbalancing

Scenario one all phase have equal loading: 20 A
Scenario one feeder loading
Phase R: 10 A
Phase Y: 20 A
Phase B: 30 A

Scenario three feeder loading

Phase R: 10 A
Phase Y: 10 A
Phase B: 40 A

If the loss in scenario 1 is 6%

The loss in scenario 2 is about 7.5 %
The loss in scenario 3 may be around 10%

Other Factors
The loss also depends on conductor size
Thick conductor: less loss
Thin conductor: more loss
E.g the loss with dog conductor is about 1/3 rd of
loss with weasel conductor

The loss also depends on load type

Example motor loading cause more loss that
lighting load

Summary
Transformer should be appropriately installed to
minimized transformer loss. It should not be oversized.
The load center size should be as small as possible.
The feeder should be configured so that the consumers
should be as close to the source ( transformer).
To reduce the percentage loss its required to increase
the other activities than lighting only. As far as possible
minimize other use during peak hours.
While connecting consumers to supply phase balancing
should be keep in mind.
Thick conductor cause less loss but high cost
compromise is done to select appropriate conductor

Distribution Transformer Size & Location

In urban area go for maximum Transformer size and are
usually higher due to high load density as far as the LT
conductor capacities permits (No. & size).
In Rural the maximum size of LT is limited by Power
Loss & voltage drop (its recommended limit is around 1
km) and Transformer size are usually smaller due to low
density and load coincident behavior.
But
This choice is also reflected by the utilization Voltage
level and the transformer voltage ratio (The above is for
380V).

Location of transformer
As far as possible the Distribution transformer must be
located at the center of gravity the Load center
In rural areas some times a single transformer is used to
serve 2,3 or more small villages located in proximity.
In such case following theoretical approach may be used to
locate approximate transformer location.
Take a reference point on the x, y coordinate, The location
X, Y is then find using,

In the selection of LT line route the following criteria

should be taken into consideration:

The routing of the lines (radial length) has been made as

short as possible so as to minimize the voltage drop and
line loss.
The LT lines are mostly routed along the feasible roads,
foot trail/hilly road so that

The transportation of lines/construction materials to site is easier.

This also facilitates the maintenance of lines.

The line routing is done in such a way that maximum

number of households could be covered.
Avoids placing poles in flooded or land sliding areas
Minimizes deforestation as much as possible
Minimizes width of river crossings.

Primary Distribution Feeder Design

& Configuration

The primary distribution system design

includes the routing and conductor selection to
serve the distribution transformers from
Substation.
The optimization procedure usually used for
conductor and routing selection is one of the
following:

minimizing the length of conductor

minimizing the cost
minimum power transfer and distance approach.

Let's consider five different distribution transformers of same size and same
number of customers are desired to be connected from the substation
through a radial distribution feeder of similar conductor. Out of practically
feasible feeder layout options two are shown in Fig.(a) & (b).
2 km

S/S

2 km

2 km

2 km

S/S

2 km

2 km

2 km

2 km

2 km

2 km

(a) Option-A

Note that:

(b) Option-B

The load to be served in both the cases same

Conductor length same

But it can be shown that the losses in option A is about 1.5 times
greater than option-B

Suppose the transformer size at each of the node is S kVA.

Then the power flow through the branches can be easily
computed and is shown in Fig. below.
2 km
B
2 km 4S
S/S

2 km

5S

3S

2 km

2S

2 km

(a) Option-A

2 km
S/S

2 km

2 km
2 km

5S

3S

2 km

(b) Option-B

 It is to be noted that this difference in losses are only due

to the fact that the branch power for the same load are
significantly different in two options.
Alternatively it can be said that the node powers have to
travel larger distance in option-A than option-B.
Summarized in Table below:

 It can be shown that the condition for which power loss is

minimum Voltage Drop is also minimum.
Also for the same case Reliability is also maximum
Take an example with 100 consumers at each node
Failure rate 0.04/km/year

Node

Traveling
dist
ance

Probability
of
failur
e/yr

Probable No. of
consumer not
getting supply/yr

0.08

0.16

16

0.24

24

0.16

16

0.24

24

Reactive Power Flow:

A
1+2j

1+2j

C
1+2j

1000 kVA

33/11kV

100 kVA

0.8 p.f. lag

100 kVA

0.8 p.f. lag

100 kVA

0.8 p.f. lag

The Source of reactive power are shown by arrow and

demand of reactive power is at A, B and C.
So for Minimum loss it is very easy to say that reactive
power for B and C should come from Capacitor and for A it
should from S/S.
Hence the Size of the Capacitor for Minimum Loss is 120
kVAR.

AREA SUBSTATION SELECTION

Service area
Input/Output voltage level
Sitting
Sizing
Source Grid Substation
High Voltage & low voltage side configuration
(e.g HT bus bar arrangement, No. of LV feeders,
No. of Transformer etc.)

Substation sitting
Availability of land for the various necessary equipment of the
required capacity and required number of distribution feeders for
the identified service area of the substation.
The cost of land.
Opportunity for Feeder getaway
The cost of preparing the site (slope, drainage, underlying soil and
rock)
The cost of transporting material
Esthetic requirements (fencing, landscaping)
Available options for expanding the substation capacities, addition
of distribution feeder and extension of sub transmission line for the
new substation that may come in future.
Right of way for transportation of substation equipments

Service Area identification & Sizing

The expected substation service area has to be fixed asserting the
following;
The area where the reach of the distribution feeder is acceptable.
This is to assure that the entire load within the service area is
adequately served (voltage, reliability).
No equipment is over loaded considering the constraint in the plan
such as limitations on the size of transformers, circuit breakers etc.
Distribution feeder costs and its losses are within the acceptable
limit considering the social, geographical, political and other
similar scenarios.
Existing substations are utilized wherever possible. That is the
areas that can be served by this proposed substation but at higher
cost or loss in comparison to the existing surrounding substation(s)
have to be discarded.

Selection of sub transmission line route

Possibly avoiding any crossing of proposed sub transmission line
route with another high (33kV and above) or Medium (11kV)
voltage line this increase the cost due to high tower.
Minimizing the length of line.
Reliability of the system within the acceptable limit
Maintaining the voltage profile and line loss (as from the
preliminary assessment) in the proposed and effected existing sub
transmission line within the standard limit.
Overall investment and running cost to be minimum.
Nearest possible motor able road or major tracks
Avoiding of proposed alignment crossing through the rural/urban
settlements.
Avoiding of deforesting and long river crossing
Minimizing the Land acquisition problem