Load Curve

A load curve is a plot of the load in a network against time.  Load is plotted along the Y axis and time on the X-axis.

The curve shows the variation of load with time.  There can be daily load curves, monthly load curves and yearly load curve.

The area under the load curve shows the total units generated.  The tallest point in the curve shows the maximum demand.  The average load can be deduced by dividing the area under the curve by the total number of hours.

The load factor can be calculated by dividing the area under the curve by the area of the rectangle enclosing the curve.