A new method to calculate power distribution losses in an environment of high unregistered loads

The paper presents a new method to break down, by subsystem and cause, power distribution losses in electrical systems where the share of nontechnical losses is important. In this type of system the traditional method has given rise to inaccuracies due to high unregistered load. The new method is based on the nature of the losses: resistive losses obtained from the squared ratio between hourly demand and maximum demand, in each subsystem; transformer core losses not related to the demand variations at the substation and at the primary distribution feeders; and nontechnical losses with a demand profile similar to that of the load since they involve unregistered loads. The method uses load profiles registered in today's generalized electronic meters. The paper demonstrates the differences in calculated losses obtained by the new method compared to the use of the traditional loss factor.