One Method for the Estimation of Voltage Drop
in Distribution Systems
Ilija Vujošević, Member, IEEE, Ervin Spahić, Student Member, IEEE, and Đorđije Rakočević
Abstract -- This paper presents the Global Parameters
Method that estimates the voltage drop in radial distribution
networks. Method can be applied for all voltage levels in
distribution system.
Global Parameters Method estimates the voltage drop in
network level using the equivalent line. The equivalent line has
been obtained on the basis of the length and the section of
network lines. Due to significant discrepancy of network and
load parameters in urban and rural consume it is proper to
apply the method separately on these two consume.
The method has been applied on 16 distribution sectors in
Montenegro. Obtained results justify the use of this method for
voltage drop estimation, especially considering unreliable and
incomplete database.
Index Terms -- Voltage drop, distribution systems, equivalent
line, estimation, low voltage level.
I. INTRODUCTION
V OLTAGE drop is the main indicator of power quality
and it has a significant influence at normal working
regime of electrical appliances, especially motors. Therefore,
in distribution systems (DS), the special attention on power
quality and voltage drop limitation has been given. But, even
in highly developed DS permanent power supply on nominal
voltage cannot be guaranteed, yet in certain constrains. This
is from the fact that load varies, i.e. load changes by static
characteristics that directly influent voltage drop. This is
obvious from the formula for calculation of line voltage drop
[1, 2]:
PR + QX
∆U = (1)
Un
where:
P - power at the end of line,
Q - reactive power at the end of line,
I. Vujošević is with University of Montenegro, Electrical Engineering
Department, Cetinjski put bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro, YU (e-mail:
ilijav@cg.ac.yu).
E. Spahić is with University of Montenegro, Electrical Engineering
Department, Cetinjski put bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro, YU (e-mail:
ervins@cg.ac.yu).
Đ. Rakočević is with University of Montenegro, Electrical Engineering
Department, Cetinjski put bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro, YU (e-mail:
djorr@cg.ac.yu).
0-7803-7519-X/02/$17.00 © 2002 IEEE
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R - line resistance,
X - line reactance,
Un - rated voltage.
It is obvious from (1) that voltage drop depends on
numerous factors: configuration of DS network, line
parameters, load characteristics, voltage level etc.
To estimate the value of voltage drop it is necessary, first
of all, to have at disposal network and load database of
observed distribution network. In the power systems that are
not highly developed, i.e. where does not exist the modern
Energy Management System, it is a problem to provide these
databases. This is due to: large number of network elements
and connected consumers at all network levels, often changes
in network configuration, working regimes, simultaneous
measurement of all measurement places etc. In these
limitations it is very difficult to achieve good voltage drop
estimation.
Due to complex structure of real DS and, also, due to large
and unreliable network and load database, the estimation of
voltage drop in DS is very delicate. This is emphasized on
low voltage network level where, because of the above-
mentioned reasons, the problem of acquisition and reliability
of input network and load data is most significant.
In specified information and other limitations there is a
necessity for methods that are going to make good voltage
drop estimation. The Global Parameters Method [3]
presented in this paper, on the basis of available input
database, successfully estimates the voltage drop. The
voltage drop can be estimated for every network level of DS.
The structure of DS of Montenegro, where the method has
been applied, has been shown on Figure 1.
Due to significant discrepancy of network and load
parameters in urban and rural consume - area peak load
(MW/km2) and line peak load (MW/km), it is proper to
apply the method separately on these two consume. Namely,
the lines in urban consume are significantly shorter than in
rural consume and the sections of lines are higher. Also, the
area peak load and the line peak load in urban consume are
much higher than in rural consume.
 t Transfor Transfor Transfor
h mation 35 kV mation 10 kV mation 0,4 kV
S
r 110/35 network 35/10 network 10/0.4 network
u
e kV/kV kV/kV kV/kV
p
s
p
h Transfor ∆U35 ∆U10 ∆U0,4
l
o mation
y
l 110/10
d kV/kV
Figure 1. Structure of DS of Montenegro

II. GLOBAL PARAMETERS METHOD - BASICS Similar, since the power input in two-phase and three-
The fundament of Global Parameters Method is the phase lines is the same:
determination of the equivalent line of observed network S 2φ = S 3φ (10)
level.
To obtain the equivalent line, it is necessary, first of all, to or
resume the length of lines made from different material (Cu, 2U s I 2φ = 3U s I 3φ (11)
Al) to one:
Hence:
l Cu 2 I 2φ = 3I 3φ (12)
l Al = (2)
1.594
Voltage drop in two-phase line can be expressed by:
For low voltage network, it is necessary to resume single-
phase and two-phase lines on three-phase lines [1, 2]. ∆U 2φ = I 2φ ( K R R cos ϕ + K X X sin ϕ ) (13)
Since the power input in single-phase and three-phase
lines is the same: where KR=1 and KX=1.
Hence, dividing (13) with (7):
S1φ = S 3φ (3)
∆U 2φ 3
= (14)
or ∆U 3φ 2
U s I1φ = 3U s I 3φ (4)
Therefore, the relationship between the length of two-
Hence: phase and three-phase line is:

I 1φ = 3I 3φ (5) l 2φ = 1.5 ⋅ l3φ (15)

Voltage drop in single-phase and three-phase line can be Therefore, the total length of all lines in low voltage
expressed by (6) and (7), respectively: network level for voltage drop estimation is:
∆U 1φ = I 1φ ( K R R cos ϕ + K X X sin ϕ ) (6) lT = l3φ + l 2φ + l1φ = l3φ + 1.5 ⋅ l3φ + 6 ⋅ l3φ (16)

∆U 3φ = I 3φ ( R cos ϕ + X sin ϕ ) (7) Dividing the obtained total length with the number of
output lines from supply transformer station, the length of
where: KR≅2.0 and KX≅2.0 equivalent line can be obtained:
Hence, substituting KR=2.0 and KX=2.0 in (6) and dividing l
it with (7): l eq = T (17)
no
∆U 1φ
=6 (8) where no - number of output lines.
∆U 3φ The section of the equivalent line for observed voltage
level can be determined by:
Therefore, the relationship between the length of single-
lT
phase and three-phase line is: q eq = (18)
l T ,i
l1φ = 6 ⋅ l 3φ (9)
∑ qi

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where: where nTR is the number of transformer stations 10/0.4
kV/kV and 35/10 kV/kV for 10 and 35 kV network,
∑ lT ,i - total length of lines by individual section i,
respectively.
qi - individual section i.
When qeq is determined, it is easy to determine the III. METHOD APPLICATION
lengthwise line resistance of equivalent line - R40 [1]. The Global Parameters Method respects the real structure
Now, all technical parameters of equivalent line have been of DS (Figure 1) and follows the power flow from supply
obtained and the voltage drop can be estimated: threshold to consumer’s threshold. Load data that method
R40 ⋅ Pm ⋅ l eq  0.06 ⋅ l cb + 0.31 ⋅ l oh  uses for voltage drop are obtained from Electric Power
∆u = 1 + ⋅ tan ϕ  ⋅ ε ( n ) (19) Utility of Montenegro. The method has been applied on 16
2  R40 ⋅ ( l cb + l oh )
10 ⋅ n o ⋅ U n  
distribution sectors in Montenegro. The network and load
where for observed network level: parameters for 1995 and 1996 have been used. At the Figure
Pm - peak load, 2 the results of indicated voltage drops of low voltage
Un - rated voltage, network in urban consumption of Montenegro for 1996 are
leq - the length of the equivalent line, presented. Also, at the Figure 3 the results of indicated
lcb - the length of cables, voltage drops of low voltage network in rural consumption
loh - the length of overhead lines, of Montenegro for 1996 are presented. On axis x the
ε(n) - distributed load factor along the line. abbreviations for each DS sector of Montenegro and DS of
For the low voltage network, with assumption that load Montenegro have been used. The obvious differences
has been uniformly distributed along the equivalent line, ε(n) between urban and rural consume in network and load
can be obtained from following formula: parameters justify disjoint estimation.
The obtained results are indicative, i.e. they indicate the
nhh + noc + 1 sectors with good, average and poor voltage features. After
ε( n ) = (20)
2(nhh + noc ) using the Global Parameters Method for indication of DS
where: sectors with bad voltage drop features, the methods (one or
nhh - number of households, more) that would calculate voltage drop for every line in
noc - number of other consumers at low voltage level. selected sector or segment of it should be used. Of course,
For medium voltage network, when uniform distribution for application of these more accurate methods additional
of load on line, ε(n) can be obtained from: input data must be provided, additional measurements made.
From obtained results, a selection of critical lines with high
nTR + 1 voltage drop and, afterwards the actions for their reduction
ε( n ) = (21)
2nTR can be made.

%
25

20

15

10

0
BR BE BP BD CT HN KL KO MO NK PV PO RO TV UL MN

Figure 2. Indication of voltage drop (%) of low voltage network in urban distribution sectors and in urban DS of Montenegro (MN) in 1996.

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 %
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
BR BE BP BD CT HN KL KO MO NK PV PO RO TV UL ZB MN
Figure 3. Indication of voltage drop (%) of low voltage network in rural distribution sectors and in rural DS of Montenegro (MN) in 1996.
Also, when compared with real structure of each DS
sector, expected indication of lower voltage drop in south
sectors has been obtained (BD, TV, UL, CT). Conversely,
the obtained results for northern distribution sectors, i.e.
distribution sectors with poor network and voltage
characteristics, indicated high voltage drop.
Therefore, obtained results, when compared with the
results of voltage drop measurement on several lines in each
DS sector justify use of Global Parameters Method for
indication of voltage drop.
IV. CONCLUSION
The Global Parameters Method can be successfully
applied for row estimation of average voltage drop on every
network level of DS, especially on the most critical level –
low voltage network. Method is adjusted to existing
technical and load parameters that can be obtained from
existing measurements.
This method is indicative, i.e. indicates the voltage drop
on equivalent radial line and it does not compute the exact
values of voltage drop on every line in DS. Obtained results
justify the use of this method.
Due to significant discrepancy of load and network data, it
is very important to apply the method separately on urban
and rural consumption.
V. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank to the Electric Power
Utility of Montenegro for providing the necessary data.
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VI. REFERENCES
[1] V.N. Kazancev et al, Electrical Energy in Power Systems, Moscow:
Energoatomizdat, 1983.
[2] T. Gönen, Electric Power Distribution System Engineering, New
York: McGraw-Hill, 1986.
[3] I. Vujošević, E. Spahić and Đ. Rakočević, "Model for the estimation
of power losses in integrated distribution systems," 1st IEEE
Electro/Information Technology Conference, Chicago, USA, 2000.
VII. BIOGRAPHIES
Ilija Vujošević (M’1996) was born in Cetinje, Montenegro, on August
2, 1946. He received BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from the
University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1969 and 1976,
respectively. In 1984, he obtained his Ph.D. from University of
Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro. His research interests are in the area
of power system analysis, distribution and transmission networks.
Hi is a full time professor at University of Montenegro and Head of
Institute at Department of Electrical Engineering. He is an IEEE member
and a member of Yugoslav committees of CIGRE and CIRED.
Ervin Spahić was born in Bar, Montenegro, Yugoslavia, on April 22,
1972. He received BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from the
University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro in 1997 and 2001,
respectively. His research interests are in the area of: distribution systems
analysis, power losses, load forecasting, application of artificial intelligence
in power systems, and deregulation of power systems. He is a student
member of IEEE, and a member of Yugoslav committees of CIGRE and
CIRED.
Đorđije Rakočević was born in Mateševo, Montenegro, Yugoslavia, on
May 6, 1941. In 1965, he received BS in Electrical Engineering from the
University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Yugoslavia. His MS degree he received
from the University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia, in 1981. He is currently
with University of Montenegro as a Chief of Electrical Engineering
Laboratory. He is a member of Yugoslav committee of CIRED.