--- title: "Connected load, MD, demand, diversity, load factor" subject: "Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination" chapter: 1 key: "semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination:load-terminology-five-terms" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination/load-terminology-five-terms site: BCT Engineering --- # Connected load, MD, demand, diversity, load factor Industrial Power Distribution and Illumination · Chapter 1: Introduction - Asked in: 2072 Magh, 8 marks - Video: [Load Factor, Diversity Factor, Plant Capacity Factor, Utilization Factor, Reserve Capacity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeVFXs6mnUU) — Electrical Minus - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination/load-terminology-five-terms - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/industrial_power_distribution_and_illumination/chapter-1 ## Question Explain with examples of following terminology: i) Connected load ii) Maximum demand iii) Demand factor iv) Diversity factor v) Load factor ## Short answer Connected load = sum of nameplate ratings (e.g., 70 kW). Maximum demand = highest actual draw (e.g., 42 kW). Demand factor = MD/connected load (0.6). Diversity factor = sum of individual MDs / system MD (≥1, e.g., 1.25). Load factor = average load / MD (e.g., 0.5). High diversity factor reduces equipment size; high load factor lowers energy cost. ## Answer These terms describe how much of the installed equipment is actually used and when. One example workshop is used for all of them. **Example workshop:** 5 motors of 10 kW, lighting 5 kW and heaters 15 kW. #### i) Connected load The sum of the rated (nameplate) powers of all equipment connected to the supply. ```text Connected load = 5×10 + 5 + 15 = 70 kW ``` #### ii) Maximum demand The greatest load drawn at any time in a period (usually the highest 15- or 30-minute average, read by an MD meter). Not all equipment runs at full load at once, so MD < connected load. ```text Recorded maximum demand = 42 kW ``` #### iii) Demand factor The ratio of maximum demand to connected load (always ≤ 1). ```text Demand factor = MD / Connected load = 42/70 = 0.6 ``` It is used to find the MD of a new installation from its connected load. #### iv) Diversity factor The ratio of the sum of individual maximum demands of parts of a system to the maximum demand of the whole system (always ≥ 1). If the workshop and two other workshops have individual MDs of 42 kW, 30 kW and 28 kW, and the feeder's recorded MD is 80 kW: ```text Diversity factor = (42 + 30 + 28) / 80 = 100/80 = 1.25 ``` A high diversity factor means smaller transformers and feeders can supply many loads that peak at different times. #### v) Load factor The ratio of average load to maximum demand over a period. If the workshop uses 504 kWh in a day: ```text Average load = 504 / 24 = 21 kW Load factor = 21 / 42 = 0.5 ``` A high load factor means the plant capacity is used well and the cost per kWh is lower. | Term | Formula | Range | |---|---|---| | Demand factor | MD / Connected load | ≤ 1 | | Diversity factor | Σ individual MD / system MD | ≥ 1 | | Load factor | Average load / MD | ≤ 1 | ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. In the example workshop, connected load is 70 kW and MD is 42 kW. What is the demand factor? A. 1.67 B. 0.6 C. 0.5 D. 0.4 Answer: B. 42/70 = 0.6, and demand factor is at most 1. (Key point: Demand factor) 2. Which statement about the diversity factor is correct? A. It is the sum of individual MDs divided by system MD, and is at least 1 B. It is system MD divided by the sum of individual MDs C. It is always below 1 D. It is average load divided by MD Answer: A. A value of at least 1 shows that loads peak at different times. (Key point: Diversity factor) 3. Individual MDs are 42, 30 and 28 kW and the feeder MD is 80 kW. What is the diversity factor? A. 0.8 B. 1.75 C. 2.0 D. 1.25 Answer: D. 100/80 = 1.25. (Key point: Diversity example) 4. A workshop uses 504 kWh in a day with MD of 42 kW. What is the load factor? A. 0.6 B. 1.0 C. 0.5 D. 12 Answer: C. Average load = 504/24 = 21 kW, and 21/42 = 0.5. 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