Electrical and Thermal Characteristics of Household Appliances: Voltage Dependency, Harmonics and Thermal RC Parameters

Detailed bottom-up load modelling of the residential sector has become increasingly important to examine the network impacts of both changing load composition due to the introduction of sustainable technologies, and changing load behaviour with increased levels of demand response. An important aspect of these models is the electrical and thermal behaviour of household loads. This paper examines the fundamental electrical and thermal characteristics of common household appliances. Methods to obtain the voltage de endency and equivalent resistive-capacitive (RC) circuit parameters for mode ling thermostatically controlled appliances (TCAs) are presented. The paper also presents the results of laboratory experimental determination of voltage dep endency coefficients, subjecting common appliances to a range of voltages within +/- 10% of the standard supply voltage. The thermal behaviour of TCAs are examined by use of thermocouples and plug-load monitoring devices. Appliances are grouped into into five distinct categories; lighting, motor, power electronic, resistive and wet appliance loads, and both their characteristics and operational behaviour is presented.