The method for economical reconfiguration of the distribution network is attracting many researchers’ attention. This paper firstly analyzes the characteristic of line loss calculation with the stochastic loads taken into account. The result shows that considering the stochastic characteristic of loads

the expected value of the line loss is generally larger than that calculated by the expected value of loads. Furthermore

an algorithm based on the branch-exchanging method is proposed to minimize the expected value of the line loss under the condition of stochastic constant current load. The pair of exchanged switches is determined by the differential coefficient of line loss to the expected value of active power

reactive power

active variance and reactive variance. Test results indicate that by considering stochastic loads the optimal reconfiguration scheme of minimal expected value of line loss is not always the same as that of minimal line loss. The proposed method is instructive for actual reconfiguration in a distribution network.