This paper considers the significance of load voltage dynamics in stud
ies of power system damping. A generic model of dynamic loads is used
to investigate the influence of active and reactive power dynamics on
the damping of oscillations in a multimachine power system. The intera
ction between the load and the power system is explored in terms of lo
ad and system transfer functions. It is shown that the power system tr
ansfer function is composed of a static part and a dynamic part. The s
tatic part is derived from the power flow Jacobian. The investigations
indicate that load voltage dynamics can significantly influence the d
amping of modal oscillations. Static load models can give quite mislea
ding predictions of damping when loads actually exhibit dynamic behavi
our.