Optimal conductor selection for radial distribution systems

In this paper, an algorithm is proposed for selecting the optimum size of conductors of feeder sigments of radial distribution networks. The optimal size of conductor determined by load flow method is applied to the optimal distance radial distribution network. The conductor, which is determined by the proposed method, will maximize the total saving in cost of conducting material and cost of energy losses and maintain acceptable voltage levels in radial distribution systems. An attempt has been made to reduce the losses in the existing radial distribution networks by optimizing the size of the branch conductor. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated with suitable examples. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.