this paper an improved method for calculating low voltage solutions (LVS) of the load flow (LF) equations is proposed. It is based on a state space search approach and it has the following features: (a) it is fully derived with voltages in polar coordinates, making its insertion in existing production grade LF programs a very easy task; (b) a special procedure is proposed so that it is always possible to obtain a state space search direction and an initial state estimate for the LVS calculation; (c) nonconvergent and divergent cases are easily and efficiently detected and handled through the use of step size optimization techniques; (d) it correctly identifies the desired LVS in case several close solutions exist (as it is often the case for real life systems); and (e) the LVS can be found regardless of its distance to the stable (high voltage) solution. Also, a more robust way of finding the initial estimate for the LVS is proposed. Test results have shown that the method is robust and efficient. A comparison between state space search methods (SSSM) and path-following methods (PFM) is presented. Finally, a very simple maximum loading point (MLP) proximity index is shown and its characteristics are discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.246503513