Method for Estimating Power Losses in Low-Voltage Networks

In the proposed work, the study of a section of the shop network of an industrial enterprise with the determination of the equivalent circuit resistance. The calculation method presents the errors in the failure to take into account each of the considered parameters of the network. Causes and main damages of switching devices for voltage 0.4 kV are given. The main factor that influences in determining the equivalent resistance of the investigated circuit is the resistance of low-voltage switching devices. Determination of the type of empirical dependence of the resistance of devices depends on the current flowing through the contact connections. The error at non-calculation of this parameter for the mixed section of the power supply scheme reaches 77.15 %. Neglecting the heating temperature of conductors when calculating the equivalent resistance also has a significant impact and leads to an error of 5.6 %. Also neglecting the line loading factor and ambient temperature in determining the circuit resistance leads to an error of 3.17 % and 2.4 %, respectively. The results of the study can be used to assess the level of power and energy losses in low-voltage shop networks, which will significantly increase the reliability of the data obtained. © 2024 IEEE.