DETERMINATION OF CRITICAL SWITCHES IN DISTRIBUTION-SYSTEM

This paper presents a methodology for determining the critical switches in the distribution system. The daily load curves of various types of load customers are used in a three phase load flow program. The program calculates the hourly current loading of distribution feeders and current flows through all line switches. The hourly optimal network configurations are solved to achieve balanced loading among feeders by minimizing the cost function of switching operations. The critical switches of the distribution system are then identified by investigating the hourly optimal switching operation patterns over a 24 hour period. A distribution system comprising 9 distribution feeders in the Taiwan Power Company(Taipower) is selected for computer simulation. Results indicate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed methodology to the practical operation of distribution systems.