Studies of parallelism in distribution network served by different-source substations using software ATPDraw

Despite distribution systems usually operate radially, they may change the topology by opening or closing the switching equipment. This change can occur in two situations. Firstly, to maximize the networks´ electric configuration, to achieve lower voltage drop and loss indexes, as well as increases reliability. Secondly, to transfer load from a feeder to another one, as a result of some contingency or a planned disconnection. In both situations, one should take into account that multiple switchings in networks should cause disconnections at customers, during a short period of time, specially when the feeders are served by different-source substations. These interruptions cause undesirable energy continuity levels for customers. This motivates the present paper, whose proposal is the development of a methodology to analyze the technical feasibility of parallelisms in distribution networks by using the ATP program (Alternative Transient Program), thus avoiding disconnections at customers. As a result, case studies are presented.