How does a change in demand factor affect the overall load calculations?

A change in the demand factor directly influences load calculations as it provides a measure of how much of the total connected load is actually used during peak demand situations. The demand factor is defined as the ratio of the maximum demand (the highest level of electric load consumed during a specific time period) to the total connected load (the sum of all electrical loads connected to a system).

When the demand factor changes—either increasing or decreasing—it alters the expected peak load required for the calculations. If the demand factor increases, it indicates a more efficient use of the connected load, potentially resulting in a lower peak load requirement than initially calculated. Conversely, a decrease in the demand factor suggests that a larger portion of the connected load is being utilized at peak times, leading to a higher expected peak load. This adjustment is crucial for designing systems, choosing the correct feeder sizes, and ensuring that infrastructure can meet the actual usage without overloading.

Thus, understanding and accurately representing the demand factor is essential in load calculations to provide reliable and effective electric service.