Comparison of Distribution Circuit Voltage Modeling and Calculation Methods

Maintainlng the integrity of an electric distribution system frequently requires component upgrades or additions. These actions are commonly based on load flow calculations or field measurements. This paper focuses on how different modeling approximations and methods of calculating distribution parameters can effect computed results and subsequent engineering decisions. Effects are demonstrated on four sample feeders from four utilities. While this sample set may be too small to provide broad generalizations, it does offer valuable insight on the validity of input models, the relative accuracy of different methods and the role they play in assessing system performance.