When the load elements of a load curve are arranged in the order of descending
magnitudes, the curve thus obtained is called load duration curve.
The load curve is obtained from the same data as the load curve but the ordinates are
arranged in the order of descending magnitudes. In other words, the maximum load is
represented to the left and decreasing loads are represented to the right in the
descending order. Hence the area under the load duration curve and the load curve are
equal.
Load factor and diversity factor play a vital role in the cost of the supply of electrical
energy. Higher the values of load factor and diversity factor, lower will be the overall cost
per unit generated.