Volume 10, Issue 10, October – 2025 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165 [Link]

Real Time Load Flow Monitor in Distribution

System
Bhong Bhagyashri Ashok1; Thombare Ankita Dilip2;
Bandgar Namrata Manoj3; T. V. Deokar4

1,2,3,4
Department of Electrical Engineering,
S. B. Patil College of Engineering, Indapur

Publication Date: 2025/10/09

Abstract: The increasing demand for electrical energy in modern distribution systems necessitates efficient monitoring of load
flow for reliable operation and energy management. This project focuses on the real-time load flow monitoring of a distribution
system by analyzing the behavior of two representative loads: a purely resistive load (incandescent bulb) and a resistive–
inductive (RL) load (single-phase table fan motor). The study aims to measure, monitor, and analyze key electrical parameters
such as voltage, current, power factor, real power, reactive power, and apparent power under varying operating conditions. By
comparing the characteristics of resistive and RL loads, the project highlights the impact of inductive components on power
factor and energy consumption in the distribution network. The proposed system employs sensors and microcontroller-based
data acquisition to provide accurate and real-time monitoring, enabling better decision-making for energy efficiency and power
quality improvement. This work is expected to serve as a reference model for load behavior analysis, demand side management,
and smart distribution system applications.

Keywords: Real Time Load Flow Monitor (RTLFM); Distribution System; R Load; RL Load; Energy Efficiency; Power Quality.

How to Cite: Bhong Bhagyashri Ashok; Thombare Ankita Dilip; Bandgar Namrata Manoj; T. V. Deokar (2025) Real Time Load Flow
Monitor in Distribution System. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 10(10), 260-263.
[Link]

I. INTRODUCTION This project focuses on monitoring the load flow of a bulb

(R load) and a table fan motor (RL load) using sensors and a
Electric power is used in our daily life for lighting, fans, microcontroller. The results will show the difference in power
motors, and many other appliances. These appliances create consumption and power factor, which can help in improving
different types of loads on the distribution system. Some loads energy efficiency and proper management of the distribution
like bulbs are purely resistive, which means they only take real system.
power. Other loads like table fan motors are resistive–inductive
(RL loads), which means they take both real power and reactive II. OBJECTIVE
power. Because of this, RL loads reduce the power factor and
cause extra energy losses in the system.  Continuous Monitoring – To observe the real-time power
flow, voltage, current, and power factor at different buses
To study this effect, load flow monitoring is very useful. and lines of the distribution network.
It helps us to measure important parameters like voltage,
current, power factor, real power, reactive power, and apparent  Efficient Power Flow – To ensure that power is distributed
power in real time. By comparing resistive and RL loads, we optimally with minimal losses and balanced load
can understand how different appliances affect the distribution conditions.
system.

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Volume 10, Issue 10, October – 2025 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165 [Link]

 Voltage Regulation – To maintain voltages within  Visualization of Load Profiles

permissible limits across all nodes of the system.
 Display separate contribution of R and RL loads in
 Improved Reliability – To enhance the stability, reliability, dashboards
and quality of power supply to consumers.
 Useful for identifying how much load is purely resistive vs
 Decision Support – To provide operators with real-time data inductive in real time.
for effective control, planning, and optimization of the
distribution network. IV. CONCEPT AND METHODOLOGY

III. FEATURES OF TEG  Block Diagram:

 Real-Time Measurement of Different Load Types

 Resistive (R) Load: e.g., incandescent bulb, where current

and voltage are in phase, so power factor ≈ 1.

 Resistive–Inductive (RL) Load: e.g., single-phase table fan

motor, where current lags voltage, so reactive power (Q)
must also be considered.

 System must monitor active power (P), reactive power (Q),

and apparent power (S) in real time for both load categories.

 Load Modeling Accuracy

 R loads modeled as purely resistive (constant P).

 RL loads modeled as impedance with resistance + inductive

reactance.

 Accurate modeling is important for phase angle, power

factor, and current flow estimation.

 Impact on Power Flow Calculation

 Bulb (R load): contributes only to real power flow,

simplifies calculations.

 Fan motor (RL load): affects both real and reactive power
flow, influencing voltage drops, losses, and stability in Fig 1 : Load Flow Monitor
feeders.
 Description of the System
 Real-time monitoring should differentiate between R and
RL contributions to improve load flow accuracy  Data Acquisition:- Install sensors and smart meters at
various nodes in the distribution system. Measure real-time
 Voltage and Current Monitoring electrical parameters: voltage, current, and power.

 For R loads: Voltage and current magnitudes are sufficient  Data Transmission:- Transmit collected data to a central
for monitoring. processing unit using IoT-enabled communication protocols
like Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or PLC.
 For RL loads: Need to also capture phase shift (φ) to
compute reactive power and power factor.  Data Processing & Analysis:- Use a
microcontroller/microprocessor or embedded system to
process the incoming data. Compute real-time load flow,
including active/reactive power, voltage drops, and line

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Volume 10, Issue 10, October – 2025 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165 [Link]

losses. Detect abnormal conditions such as overloads,  Investigate Power Quality Issues: Analyze the effect of
voltage fluctuations, and unbalanced loads. inductive loads on reactive power, voltage drops, and
harmonic distortions, thereby suggesting mitigation
 Visualization & Alerts:- Display system status on a techniques.
dashboard or GUI for operators. Generate alerts or
notifications for abnormal conditions for prompt action. VII. ADVANTAGES

 Decision Support & Control:- Recommend corrective  Enhanced System Reliability: Real-time monitoring detects
actions like load balancing, fault isolation, or voltage voltage drops, overloads, and unbalanced conditions
regulation. Maintain historical data for trend analysis and quickly, ensuring stable operation of bulbs (R load) and
planning future upgrades. motors (RL load).

V. BENEFITS  Improved Power Quality: Continuous tracking of reactive

power drawn by inductive loads (motors) helps maintain
 Enhanced Reliability: Real-time monitoring enables quick system voltage and minimize power factor issues.
detection of voltage drops, overload conditions, and
unbalanced loads, thereby improving supply reliability.  Energy Efficiency: Monitors real and reactive power,
helping reduce losses in resistive loads and optimize motor
 Efficient Energy Management: Accurate observation of performance.
power flow minimizes technical losses and optimizes
system performance.  Data for Planning: Provides accurate datasets for
distribution system analysis, future load forecasting, and
 Fault Identification: Sudden deviations in load flow patterns expansion planning.
assist in identifying faults and abnormal conditions in the
network.  Operational Optimization: Ensures stable voltage for
resistive loads (bulbs) and optimal torque-speed
 Data-Driven Planning: Continuous monitoring provides performance for RL loads (motors).
engineers with valuable datasets for load forecasting,
system expansion, and operational planning. VIII. DISADVANTAGES

 Motor Protection: Detects unbalanced voltage,  Data Overload: Continuous data collection generates large
undervoltage, or overload conditions that can damage motor datasets, requiring robust storage, processing, and analysis
windings. tools.

 Voltage Stability: Ensures bulbs operate at rated voltage,  Maintenance Requirements: Monitoring devices and
maintaining illumination quality and increasing lifespan. communication modules require periodic maintenance for
accurate operation.
VI. SCOPE OF THE STUDY
 Cybersecurity Risks: IoT devices are more exposed to
 Monitor and Analyze Load Behavior: Continuously hacking, malware, and unauthorized access compared to
measure voltage, current, real, and reactive power for traditional SCADA, potentially compromising the
different types of loads, including resistive bulbs and single- distribution system.
phase table fan motors.
 Network Dependency: IoT monitoring relies on stable
 Assess System Efficiency: Evaluate the impact of R and RL internet or wireless connectivity; any network failure can
loads on overall power losses, voltage stability, and power disrupt real-time data acquisition.
factor in distribution systems.
IX. APPLICATIONS
 Support Load Management: Provide real-time data to
optimize load distribution, prevent overloads, and enhance  Remote Load Monitoring
reliability of power supply.
 IoT devices allow utilities to monitor R and RL loads in real-
 Aid in Energy Planning: Generate datasets that can be used time from any location via the internet or cloud platforms.
for forecasting, preventive maintenance, and improving the
operational efficiency of distribution networks.  Ensures accurate measurement of active and reactive power
consumption for bulbs and table fan motors.

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ISSN No:-2456-2165 [Link]

 Energy Management and Optimization: [2]. J. F. Riya, Md. T. H. Chowdhury, S. A. Usha, S. Howlader,
S. Ahmad, and M. Z. Islam, “A Smart Helmet: Ensuring
 Real-time data enables demand-side management, helping Safety of Bike Riders,” in Proc. 3rd International
to reduce unnecessary energy usage. Conference on Robotics, Electrical and Signal Processing
Techniques (ICREST), IEEE, 2023, pp. 305–31O.
 IoT can provide alerts when reactive power from RL loads [3]. S. Ahmad, W. Chek Leong, M. Saad, S. Arghya, and A.
is high, enabling corrective action such as capacitor Tariful, “IoTbased scalable Smart Home Automation
switching. System Design using Raspberry Pi,” in Proc. 11th
AUN/SEED-Net Regional Conference on Computer and
 Power Quality Monitoring: Information Engineering, Indonesia, 2018, pp. 1–6.
[4]. S. Ahmad et al., “Smart home automation and security
 IoT devices can continuously monitor voltage dips, swells, system design based on IoT applications,” ASEAN
and harmonics caused by RL loads. Engineering Journal, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 57–71, Dec. 2019.
[5]. Z. Tang and Y. Zou, “Condition Monitoring System for
 Helps in improving power quality for sensitive resistive and Circuit Breaker Based on Substation Automation
inductive appliances. System,” in Proc. 41st International Universities Power
Engineering Conference, 2006.
 Consumer Awareness and Energy Billing:

 Provides end-users with real-time consumption data for

bulbs and fans, encouraging energy-efficient behavior.

 Enables accurate time-of-use billing and load-based tariff

implementation.

X. CONCLUSION

The implementation of a real-time load flow monitoring

system in the distribution network using IoT technology
provides an efficient and intelligent solution for modern power
systems. This approach enables continuous monitoring of both
resistive (R) and inductive (RL) loads, such as bulbs and single-
phase table fan motors, allowing utilities to accurately track
power consumption, detect anomalies, and optimize load
distribution. The system enhances operational efficiency,
reduces energy losses, and supports proactive maintenance,
thereby improving reliability and stability of the distribution
network. Furthermore, the use of IoT facilitates remote
monitoring, real-time data acquisition, and smart decision-
making, making it a cost-effective and scalable solution for
smart grid applications. Future work can focus on integrating
advanced analytics, AI-based predictive load management, and
expanding the system to multi-node distribution networks.

REFERENCES

[1]. S. Niloy, F. H. Sumona, M. H. Khan, M. Z. Islam, S.

Ahmad, and S. Howlader, “Solar Powered Smart
Irrigation System Based on Internet of Things (IoT) Using
Microcontroller,” in Proc. 3rd International Conference on
Robotics, Electrical and Signal Processing Techniques
(ICREST), IEEE, 2023, pp. 259–263

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