If a generator's shift factor to a line is 0.60 and it trips, how is the line loading affected?

When considering how the tripping of a generator affects line loading, it's essential to understand the concept of shift factors. A shift factor indicates how much influence a generator has on the flow of electricity along a transmission line. In this case, a shift factor of 0.60 means that 60% of the generator's output influences the line's loading.

If the generator trips, it means that its output is suddenly removed from the system. Since the shift factor is directly related to the generator's output, when it goes offline, the line cannot carry the same amount of power as before. Specifically, the loading on the line will decrease by the amount equivalent to the generator's output, adjusted for the shift factor.

Therefore, if the generator was producing power and has a shift factor of 0.60, then upon tripping, the line loading will decrease by the output of the tripped generator, since that output was contributing to the line's current flow. This aligns with the correct answer, explaining that the line loading decreases by the tripped generator output, reflecting the direct impact of that generator’s contribution being withdrawn from the grid.