Expert system for the design of low-voltage distributors

Minimization of the conductor cost in secondary distribution systems is a challenging problem to electric utilities. Conductor cross-sections are selected according to loading conditions in various parts of the network. The main constraints usually imposed are economic rating of conductors and acceptable voltage profile along the entire length of the network. Considerable attention has been paid to this problem by distribution planners over the last 30 years. The present paper is concerned with the problem of optimum conductor sizing of the low voltage branched radial distributors (BRD) of the secondary distribution networks. An expert system has been devised to attain a better as well as quicker solution of the problem. It makes use of two computer programs written in PROLOG and FORTRAN computer languages