A 5% reduction in customer voltage typically leads to what level of reduction in load magnitude?

A 5% reduction in customer voltage typically leads to a reduction in load magnitude that is less than the percentage decrease in voltage, specifically around 3%. This relationship arises from the inverse voltage/load characteristics in power systems, which indicate that while a decrease in voltage will lead to a reduction in load demand, the decrease in load won't necessarily match the percentage decrease in voltage directly due to the nature of electrical loads.

Most electrical devices do not respond linearly to voltage changes, and the percentage change in load is influenced by various factors, including the types of devices connected to the system and their operating characteristics. For example, resistive loads respond somewhat proportionately, but motor loads can be more complex, exhibiting different responses depending on the operational status of the motor (whether it is starting, running, etc.).

Research and practical observations have shown that a typical response is closer to a 3% reduction in load magnitude for a 5% reduction in voltage rather than a direct 5% reduction. This understanding is critical for operators and planners as they assess the impacts of voltage regulation and demand-side management on system performance and reliability.