DUCF: Distributed load balancing Unequal Clustering in wireless sensor networks using Fuzzy approach.

•Eligible cluster heads are selected in the networks using fuzzy logic which ensures considerable energy saving in the network.•The nodes having highest number of neighbors, higher residual energy and close to base station are given preference in cluster head election.•Unequal clusters are formed to stabilize the network with even energy consumption across the clusters.•Cluster size can be made dynamic depending on the distance with the base station.•For each cluster heads, the maximum nodes it can accommodate as its members are also provided which avoids excessive overloading in a cluster.