IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder
DIgSILENT PowerFactory ∗
Abstract
This paper describes the IEEE 13 Node Test
Feeder, defined in [1] and implemented in
PowerFactory. The parameters of the in-
dividual elements like loads, shunts, trans-
formers, lines and their modeling are ex-
plained. The results for the load flow calcu-
lation are presented and compared with the
results given in [2].
1 General Description
The IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder consists of
13 nodes, 9 unbalanced loads, 10 overhead
lines and underground cables with 1, 2, 3
phases with a varying arrangement, two ca-
pacitor banks (shunts), a transformer and a
per phase voltage regulator. Figure 1 shows
the single line diagram of the network.
2 Model Parameters
Data has been taken from [1] and has been
completed by assuming the following:
• The voltage regulators are auto-
transformers. Since no detailed data is
given, they are assumed as lossless.
• The additional voltage per tap in all volt-
age regulators is set to a typical value of
0.625 % · Un [4].
∗ DIgSILENT GmbH, Heinrich-Hertz-Str. 9, 72810
Gomaringen, Germany, www.digsilent.de
DIgSILENT PowerFactory, r2428
• The data for the cable type 1/0 Cu is
taken from a corresponding cable data
sheet from the same manufacturer [3].
• The laying depth of the two cable sys-
tems is assumed to be 2 ft.
• The given values in [2] show voltages of
1 p.u. for the node 650 in each phase.
This indicates, that the voltage drop at
the transformer impedance caused by
the unbalanced load flow was neglected
in [2]. The 5 MVA 115/4.16 kV trans-
former of the substation in [1] is there-
fore modelled in a variation, which is ac-
tive only in the study case “Study with
Substation Transformer”.
• The shield of the cable between node
692 and 675 is grounded on both sides.
The neutral conductor of the cable be-
tween node 684 and 652 is grounded at
node 652.
• The star points of the capacitor banks
are also grounded.
The nominal frequency of the IEEE 13 Node
Test Feeder is 60 Hz. The following sections
describe the network data and their imple-
mentation in PowerFactory used for an un-
balanced Load Flow Calculation.
2.1 Loads
The loads show different characteristics with
constant active and reactive power, constant
current or constant impedance respectively.
To model this behaviour various load types
(TypLod) have been created in the project.
By setting the coefficients of the Voltage De-
pendence of P and Q in the Load Flow tab,
1
IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder

DIgSILENT
External Grid

650

VregC
VregA

VregB
System Type AC/DC and Phases
DC Colour
Phase A
RG60 Phase B
Phase C
Neutral
Double Phase 1
Double Phase 2

LOHL650-632
Single Phase

646 645 632 633 634

XFM-1

LOHL645-646 LOHL632-645 LOHL632-633

DistributedLoad
s4LOHL632-671
L646-DcZ L645-YcPQ L634-YcPQ

Switch

611 684 671 692 675

LC692-675
LC684-652N

LC684-652A

LOHL684-611 LOHL671-684
LOHL671-680

C611 LC692-675Shield C675

L611-YcI L571-DcPQ L692-DcI L675-YcPQ

652

680
IEEE 13 Node Feeder Project: Example
DIgSILENT
Study Detailed Network Model Graphic: IEEE 13 Node Fe
GmbH
Load Flow 3-phase(ABC) Date: 11/27/2015
L652-YcZ
PowerFactory 15.2.5 Annex:

Figure 1: Single line diagram of the 13 Node Test Feeder

constant power, constant current or constant For overhead lines, the data consist of type-
impedance behaviour is achieved. and element-specific data. The type is de-
fined by the electrical data of the conductors
The connection of the loads varies from delta and their geometrical arrangement on the
to wye, which corresponds to the Technology tower. The elements combine the line type
parameter in the load type (TypLod, Basic with data of the connected nodes and the
Data tab). The distributed load is modelled distance (line length) between them. In Pow-
by five load elements (ElmLod) with equal erFactory the conductors are implemented
distances between them along the line. using the Conductor Type (TypCon) and pa-
rameterised with the values in Table 2.
The demand values of all loads are given in To model towers, PowerFactory offers the
kW and kVar at nominal voltage for the 1, 2 Tower Type (TypTow), in which the number
or 3 connected phases and set in the load of circuits and/or earth wires, the used con-
elements. ductor types and the position (X,Y values)
To consider the varying power with deviat- of the conductors on the tower can be de-
ing voltages from the nominal value, the op- fined. Figure 2 shows the Spacing 500, one
tion Consider Voltage Dependency of Loads of the arrangements given in [1]. By chang-
in the PowerFactory Load Flow Calculation ing the position of the conductors different
command has to be checked. Load data orders of the phases on the tower can be
(active power P and reactive power Q) have modelled, e.g. C-A-B-N vs. A-B-C-N. For
been taken from [1] and are listed in Table 1. two phase lines, the connected phases can
be chosen directly in the connection of the
line elements.
2.2 Lines and Cables
To model the four wire lines, two circuits have
Both overhead lines and underground cables been configured, where the second circuit
are represented in the distribution network. has only one phase representing the neutral
The line elements and their parameters are wire. The resulting impedance matrices are
listed in Table 5. of the dimension 4x4. To compare them with

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IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder
Figure 2: Graphical representation of Spac-
ing 500 in the Tower Type (TypTow).
the ones in [2], the neutral wire has to be
modelled as an earth wire to get 3x3 matri-
ces. Table 3 lists exemplarily the matrices for
the line configuration 601.
The data for cable conductors and their ar-
rangement is given in a similar way. The
three phase cable system consists of con-
centric neutral (CN) all aluminium (AA) sin-
gle core cables, the single phase cable sys-
tem of a tape shielded (TS) all aluminium
cable with an additional neutral. The sin-
gle core cables and their data given in Ta-
ble 4, are modelled in PowerFactory with the
Single Core Cable Type (TypCab). The sin-
gle core cables are then combined in a Ca-
ble Definition (TypCabsys), where the cable
types, the surrounding earth parameters and
the position of the phases can be set (see
figure 3).
Figure 3: Graphical representation of Spac-
ing 515 in the Cable Definition (TypCabsys).
DIgSILENT PowerFactory, r2428
2.3 Transformers
The network contains two transformers.
The 5 MVA substation transformer connects
the 115 kV (in delta connection) with the
4.16 kV (grounded wye) voltage level. The
relative resistance is 1 %, the relative reac-
tance 8 %. Since the solution in [2] shows
values of 1 p.u. at node 650, the trans-
former is only active in the variation “Sub-
station Transformer” to show the impact of
the additional impedance between the volt-
age regulators and the slack bus. For the
load flow comparison of PowerFactory and
the values in [2], this variation is deactivated
in the corresponding study cases.
The distribution transformer “XFM-1” con-
nects the 4.16 kV with the low voltage level of
480 V. The 500 kVA transformer is connected
in grounded wye on both sides. The relative
resistance amounts to 1.1 %, the relative re-
actance to 2 %.
2.4 Capacitor Banks
In the network two capacitor banks are in-
stalled. The first one is connected to node
675 in wye and delivers 200 kVar per phase
at nominal voltage. The second shunt is sin-
gle phase and connected to node 611. It de-
livers a reactive power of 100 kVar at nominal
voltage.
2.5 Voltage Regulators
The voltage regulators are located near node
650 along the line to node 632 and are as-
sumed to be step-type. They regulate the
voltage per phase at node 632 using a line
drop compensation. Their settings are listed
in Table 6.
In PowerFactory the voltage regulators are
modelled as three single phase auto trans-
formers. The tap changers are configured
with typical values for voltage per tap of
0.625 % · Un [4]. To get the results presented
in section 4, fix tap positions are used.
3
IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder
3 Study Cases
The example project contains three study
cases.
3.1 Detailed Network Model
The study case “Study Detailed Net-
work Model” uses the multifaceted poten-
tial of PowerFactory to model the distribution
feeder using the given data. The model in-
cludes the neutral wire as a distinct conduc-
tor. This leads to advanced results in com-
parison to the published values in [2]. In ad-
dition to the results of the phases, the cur-
rents, voltages and power flows for the neu-
tral wire are calculated and displayed.
3.2 Simplified Network Model
The study case “Study Simplified Network
Model” reduces the detailed model by the
neutral wire to earth and models only the ac-
tive phases. The changes are stored in the
expansion stage “Neutral Conductor Reduc-
tion” of the “Simplified Network Model” varia-
tion. The reduction affects lines, nodes, load
types and the single phased shunt. A set of
additional element types are therefore nec-
essary, found in the local project library.
3.3 Substation Transformer
The study case “Study with Substation
Transformer” enhances the detailed model
by the substation transformer. The changes
are stored in the expansion stage “Substa-
tion Transformer” in the variation of the same
name. The study case shows the impact of
the transformer and can be seen as informa-
tive enhancement to the two main models.
4 Load Flow Results
The execution of an unbalanced load flow
calculation ( ) leads to the results given in
the Tables 7 - 10, where the two main study
DIgSILENT PowerFactory, r2428
cases are compared to the values given in
[2].
Table 7 lists the results for the voltage mag-
nitude and angle for the detailed (“SC1”) and
the simplified (“SC2”) model. Since the volt-
age of the neutral for the detailed model is
near to zero, it is not listed separately.
The current magnitudes and angles are
given in Table 8. The current in the neutral
wire is listed for the detailed model.
The results for the active and reactive power
of the loads are shown in Table 9. The val-
ues for the delta-connected loads can not be
compared directly, because the values in [2]
are describing the power consumption be-
tween the phases, whereas the PowerFac-
tory results are the power flows in the individ-
ual phases. Looking at the sum of the load
consumption, the values of [2] equal the val-
ues of PowerFactory .
Table 10 shows the reactive power delivered
by the two shunts.
The results of the unbalanced Load Flow
Calculation in PowerFactory show a very
good match to the values in [2].
References
[1] W. H. Kersting: “Radial Distribution Test
Feeders”, 2000 PES Summer Meet-
ing, approved by IEEE PES Distribution
System Analysis Subcommittee
[2] R. Dugan: “IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder”,
Results of the test feeder, released by
IEEE PES Distribution System Analysis
Subcommittee
[3] “Product data”, Section 2, Sheet 9, The
Okonite Company, www.okonite.com
[4] J.H. Harlow, C.A. Colopy: “Electric
Power Transformer Engineering”, CRC
Press LLC, 2004
4
IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder

A Tables and Figures with Input Data

Table 1: Load demand

Node Conn. Behaviour Ph-1 / A-B Ph-2 / B-C Ph-3 / C-A ΣP ΣQ

constant kW kVar kW kVar kW kVar kW kVar
632-671? Y PQ 17 10 66 38 117 68 200 116
634 Y PQ 160 110 120 90 120 90 400 290
645 Y PQ 0 0 170 125 0 0 170 125
646 D Z 0 0 230 132 0 0 230 132
652 Y Z 128 86 0 0 0 0 128 86
671 D PQ 385 220 385 220 385 220 1155 660
675 Y PQ 485 190 68 60 290 212 843 462
692 D I 0 0 0 0 170 151 170 151
611 Y I 0 0 0 0 170 80 170 80
Σ 1175 616 1039 665 1252 821 3466 2102
S kVA 1327 1234 1497 4054
? Distributed load between nodes.

Table 2: Conductor data for overhead lines

Conductor Material R Diameter GMR? Ampacity

AWG† Ω/mi in ft A
556.5 ACSR‡ 0.186 0.927 0.0311 730
4/0 ACSR‡ 0.592 0.563 0.00814 340
1/0 ACSR‡ 1.12 0.398 0.00446 230
?Geometric Mean Radius
† American Wire Gauge
‡ Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced

Table 3: Exemplary impedance matrices for line configuration 601

Results in [2] PowerFactory

R in Ω/mi R in Ω/mi
0,3465 0,1560 0,1580 0,3491 0,1573 0,1594
0,1560 0,3375 0,1535 0,1573 0,3399 0,1548
0,1580 0,1535 0,3414 0,1594 0,1548 0,3439
X in Ω/mi X in Ω/mi
1,0179 0,5017 0,4236 1,0198 0,5036 0,4256
0,5017 1,0478 0,3849 0,5036 1,0496 0,3868
0,4236 0,3849 1,0348 0,4256 0,3868 1,0367
B in µS/mi B in µS/mi
6,2998 -1,9958 -1,2595 6,3041 -1,9971 -1,2603
-1,9958 5,9597 -0,7417 -1,9971 5,9638 -0,7422
-1,2595 -0,7417 5,6386 -1,2603 -0,7422 5,6425

Table 4: Data for single core underground cables

Abb. Conductor ∅ over ∅ over Outside Ampacity Copper 1/3 Jacket

Insulation Screen ∅ Neutral Thickness
in in in A No x AWG mils
CN AA 250 (37x) 1.06 1.16 1.29 260 13 x 14
TS AA 1/0 AL 0.82 0.88 1.06 165 80

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IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder

Table 5: Branch elements of the network

Node A Node B Length Phasing Phase Neutral Spacing

ft
632 645 500 CBN 1/0 1/0 505
632 633 500 CABN 4/0 4/0 500
633 634 XFM-1 - Transformer 4.16/0.48 kV
645 646 300 CBN 1/0 1/0 505
650 632 2000 BACN 556.5 4/0 500
684 652 800 AN 1/0 AA, TS 1/0 Cu 520
632 671 2000 BACN 556.5 4/0 500
671 684 300 ACN 1/0 1/0 505
671 680 1000 BACN 556.5 4/0 500
671 692 Switch
684 611 300 CN 1/0 1/0 510
692 675 500 ABCN 250 AA, CN None 515

Table 6: Voltage regulator data

Line Segment: 650 - 632

Location: 650
Phases: A-B-C
Connection: 3-Ph, LG
Monitoring Phase: A-B-C
Bandwidth: 2.0 volts
PT Ratio: 20
Primary CT Rating: 700
Compensator Settings: Ph A-B-C
R - Setting: 3
X - Setting: 9
Voltage Level: 122

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IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder

B Tables with Results of the Unbalanced Load Flow Calcu-

lation

Table 7: Results of buses

Voltage magnitude
U A in p.u. U B in p.u. U C in p.u.
Node Pub. [2] SC1? SC2† Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 Pub. [2] SC1 SC2
611 0.9738 0.9753 0.9753
632 1.0210 1.0218 1.0220 1.0420 1.0434 1.0424 1.0174 1.0176 1.0185
633 1.0180 1.0189 1.0189 1.0401 1.0404 1.0405 1.0148 1.0159 1.0159
634 0.9940 0.9950 0.9950 1.0218 1.0220 1.0221 0.9960 0.9971 0.9971
645 1.0329 1.0357 1.0332 1.0155 1.0141 1.0165
646 1.0311 1.0340 1.0315 1.0134 1.0121 1.0144
650 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000
652 0.9825 0.9848 0.9835
671 0.9900 0.9914 0.9915 1.0529 1.0536 1.0536 0.9778 0.9793 0.9793
675 0.9835 0.9847 0.9847 1.0553 1.0579 1.0579 0.9758 0.9770 0.9770
680 0.9900 0.9914 0.9915 1.0529 1.0536 1.0536 0.9778 0.9793 0.9793
684 0.9881 0.9896 0.9895 0.9758 0.9772 0.9773
692 0.9900 0.9914 0.9915 1.0529 1.0536 1.0536 0.9777 0.9793 0.9793
RG60 1.0625 1.0625 1.0625 1.0500 1.0500 1.0500 1.0687 1.0687 1.0687
Voltage angle
PHI A in deg PHI B in deg PHI C in deg
Node Pub. [2] SC1? SC2† Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 Pub. [2] SC1 SC2
611 115.78 115.95 115.95
632 -2.49 -2.46 -2.40 -121.72 -121.63 -121.65 117.83 117.95 117.91
633 -2.56 -2.46 -2.46 -121.77 -121.70 -121.70 117.82 117.91 117.91
634 -3.23 -3.13 -3.13 -122.22 -122.16 -122.15 117.34 117.43 117.42
645 -121.90 -121.76 -121.83 117.86 118.03 117.94
646 -121.98 -121.84 -121.91 117.90 118.07 117.99
650 0.00 0.00 0.00 -120.00 -120.00 -120.00 120.00 120.00 120.00
652 -5.25 -5.07 -5.06
671 -5.30 -5.13 -5.13 -122.34 -122.24 -122.24 116.02 116.19 116.19
675 -5.56 -5.48 -5.48 -122.52 -122.42 -122.41 116.03 116.29 116.29
680 -5.30 -5.13 -5.13 -122.34 -122.24 -122.24 116.02 116.19 116.19
684 -5.32 -5.15 -5.15 115.92 116.09 116.09
692 -5.31 -5.13 -5.13 -122.34 -122.24 -122.24 116.02 116.19 116.19
RG60 -120.00 -120.00 -120.00 120.00 120.00 120.00
? Study Case “Study Detailed Network Model”
† Study Case “Study Simplified Network Model”

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IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder

Table 8: Results of branch elements

Current magnitude in A
IA IB IC IN
From To Pub. [2] SC1? SC2† Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 SC1
684 611 71.15 71.16 71.16 30.85
671 684 63.07 63.21 63.13 71.15 71.16 71.16 2.11
671 680 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
RG60 632 558.40 557.68 557.59 414.87 415.09 414.67 586.60 585.94 585.95 66.25
645 646 65.21 65.24 65.24 65.21 65.24 65.24
632 671 478.29 478.01 477.92 215.12 214.83 214.79 475.50 474.89 474.90 116.38
632 645 143.02 143.41 143.02 65.21 65.24 65.24 85.41
632 633 81.33 80.92 80.91 61.12 61.40 61.40 62.70 62.67 62.67 44.53
692 675 205.33 205.08 205.07 69.61 69.84 69.84 124.07 123.91 123.91
684 652 63.07 63.21 63.13
XFM1 HV-side 81.33 80.92 80.91 61.12 61.40 61.40 62.71 62.67 62.67 44.53
XFM1 LV-side 704.83 704.14 704.12 529.73 529.62 529.59 543.45 542.85 542.85 173.83
ext. Grid 593.30 592.54 592.44 435.61 435.85 435.41 626.92 626.22 626.23 82.08
Switch 229.11 228.89 228.88 69.61 69.84 69.84 178.38 178.20 178.20 109.52
Current angle in deg
PHI A PhI B PHI C PHI N
From To Pub. [2] SC1? SC2† Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 SC1
684 611 121.61 121.83 121.83 -40.70
671 684 -39.12 -38.94 -38.94 121.62 121.83 121.83 -56.82
671 680 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
RG60 632 -28.58 -28.45 -28.45 -140.91 -140.80 -140.80 93.59 93.80 93.81 -136.63
645 646 -122.17 -122.09 -122.09 57.83 57.91 57.91 92.17
632 671 -27.03 -26.89 -26.89 -134.66 -134.43 -134.43 99.90 100.12 100.12 -135.54
632 645 -142.66 -142.59 -142.58 57.83 57.91 57.91 21.90
632 633 -37.74 -37.74 -37.74 -159.09 -159.22 -159.22 80.48 80.88 80.88 174.63
692 675 -5.15 -5.01 -5.01 -55.19 -54.95 -54.94 111.79 112.15 112.14
684 652 -39.12 -38.94 -38.94
XFM1 HV-side -37.74 -37.74 -37.74 -159.09 -159.22 -159.22 80.47 80.88 80.88 174.63
XFM1 LV-side -37.74 142.36 142.36 -159.09 20.97 20.98 80.47 -99.44 -99.45 -28.94
ext. Grid -28.58 -28.45 -28.45 -140.91 -140.80 -140.80 93.59 93.80 93.81 -137.01
Switch -18.18 -18.05 -18.05 -55.19 -54.95 -54.94 109.39 109.69 109.69 -157.31
? Study Case “Study Detailed Network Model”
† Study Case “Study Simplified Network Model”

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IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder

Table 9: Results of loads

Active power in kW
PA PB PC PN
Node Pub. [2] SC1? SC2† Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 SC1
671‡ 385.00 383.87 383.88 385.00 396.50 396.49 385.00 374.63 374.62
611 165.54 165.80 165.80
634 160.00 160.00 160.00 120.00 120.00 120.00 120.00 120.00 120.00
645 170.00 171.14 170.00 -1.14
646‡ 240.66 162.02 161.64 78.91 79.30
652 123.56 124.14 123.82
675 485.00 485.00 485.00 68.00 68.00 68.00 290.00 290.00 290.00
692‡ 42.90 42.91 168.37 125.72 125.72
Reactive power in kVar
QA QB QC QN
Node Pub. [2] SC1? SC2† Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 SC1
671‡ 220.00 206.95 206.95 220.00 239.92 239.94 220.00 213.13 213.11
611 77.90 78.02 78.02
634 110.00 110.00 110.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 90.00
645 125.00 125.90 125.00 -0.90
646‡ 138.12 0.70 0.51 137.57 137.77
652 83.02 83.41 83.19
675 190.00 190.00 190.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 212.00 212.00 212.00
692‡ 122.88 122.88 149.55 26.90 26.89
? Study Case “Study Detailed Network Model”
† Study Case “Study Simplified Network Model”
‡ These loads are connected in delta, the results of PowerFactory correspond to the power for the

according phase and not the branch between the phases as given in [2]. The consumed
power of the branches result as sum of the branch values.

Table 10: Results of capacitor banks

Q A in kVar Q B in kVar Q C in kVar

Node Pub. [2] SC1? SC2† Pub. [2] SC1 SC2 Pub. [2] SC1 SC2
611 94.82 95.12 95.12
675 193.44 193.93 193.94 222.75 223.83 223.85 190.45 190.91 190.90
? Study Case “Study Detailed Network Model”
† Study Case “Study Simplified Network Model”

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