Increasing hosting capacity for low carbon technologies using three-phase domestic connections

Three-phase domestic service cable connections offer the opportunity for reduced unbalance on LV feeders, in addition to increased convenience for customers. National Grid Electricity Distribution in the UK now propose three-phase connections should be used for new-build housing and for upgrades to existing service cables. This paper demonstrates how this reduces voltage drops and thermal loading relative to an alternative topology with single-phase connections, and therefore improves the hosting capacity for low carbon technologies. Simulation models also highlight the further improvements that can be achieved if the phases are rotated at each house, avoiding unbalance that can be created if single-phase circuits are assigned to the same phases at each house.