Symmetrical Components and

Sequence Networks

Symmetrical components

The method of symmetrical components is a

powerful technique for analyzing unbalanced three
phase systems.
It is a linear transformation that transforms from
phase components to a new set of components called
symmetrical components.
The advantage of this transformation for balanced
three phase networks the equivalent circuit obtained
called the sequence network are separated into three
uncoupled networks.
For unbalanced three phase systems, the three
sequence networks are connected only at point of
unbalance.

Symmetrical components

a)
b)

c)

Assume that a set of three phase voltages designated Va, Vb

and Vc is given.
These phase voltages are resolved into the following three
sets of sequence components:
Zero sequence components: consisting of three phasors with
equal magnitudes and zero phase displacement.
Positive sequence components: consisting of three phasors
with equal magnitudes and 120 phase displacement and
positive sequence.
Negative sequence components: consisting of three phasors
with equal magnitudes and 120 phase displacement and
negative sequence.

Symmetrical components
Va0

Vb0
Vc0

Va = Va1 + Va2 + Va0

Vc1

Vb = Vb1 + Vb2 + Vb0

Va1

Vc = Vc1 + Vc2 + Vc0

Zero sequence
components

Vb1
Vb2

Positive sequence
components

Va2
Vc2

Negative sequence
components

Symmetrical components
Vb0

Vc1

Vc0

Va0

Va1

Vb1

Zero sequence
components

Positive sequence
components
Vb2

Va
Vc

Va2

Vc2

Vb

Negative sequence
components

Symmetrical components
Va = Va1 + Va2 + Va0

Vb = Vb1 + Vb2 + Vb0

Vc = Vc1 + Vc2 + Vc0

Let us define the following operator a as follows:

a 1120

a 2 1240

Vb1 a 2Va1

Vc1 aVa1

Vb 2 aVa 2

Vc 2 a 2Va 2

Vb 0 Va 0

Vc 0 Va 0

Va 1 1 1 Va 0
V 1 a 2 a V
a1
b
Vc 1 a a 2 Va 2

Symmetrical components
1 1 1

A 1 a 2 a
1 a a 2

1 1 1
1

A1 1 a a 2
3
1 a 2 a

1 1 1 Va
Va 0
V 1 1 a a 2 V
b
a1 3
1 a 2 a Vc
Va 2

1
Va 0 (Va Vb Vc )
3
1
Va1 (Va aVb a 2Vc )
3
1
Va 2 (Va a 2Vb aVc )
3

Symmetrical components
1
Va 0 (Va Vb Vc )
3
This equation shows that no zero sequence components exists if the sum of
the unbalanced phasors is zero.
Since the sum of the line-line voltage phasors in a three phase system is
always zero (Why?), zero sequence components are never present in the line
voltages regardless of the amount of unbalance.
However, the sum of the three line-neutral voltage phasors is not necessary
zero and hence line-neutral voltages may contain zero sequence components.

Symmetrical components
The previous set of equations can be written for currents as well as shown below:

I a I a1 I a 2 I a 0

I b I b1 I b 2 I b 0
I c I c1 I c 2 I c 0

1
I a0 (I a Ib Ic )
3
1
I a1 ( I a aI b a 2 I c )
3
1
I a 2 ( I a a 2 I b aI c )
3

In a three phase system, the sum of the line currents is equal to the current In
in the return path

(I a Ib Ic ) I n

I n 3I a 0

Symmetrical Components dont have a separate

existence. They are only mathematical components
of unbalanced currents which flow in the system.
In a balanced 3 Phase system, zero and negative
sequence currents are zero.
The presence of zero or negative sequence currents
introduces the unsymmetry

Example 1:
Calculate the sequence components of the following balanced line-neutral
voltages with abc sequence:

Van 2770

V 277 120
bn

Vcn 277 120

Solution:

1
V0 (Va Vb Vc ) 0
3
1
V1 (Va aVb a 2Vc ) 2770
3
1
V2 (Va a 2Vb aVc ) 0
3

Example 2:
A Y connected load has balanced currents with acb sequence as follows, find the
sequence currents:

I a 100

I 10 120
b

I c 10 120
Solution:

1
I 0 (I a Ib Ic ) 0
3
1
I1 ( I a aI b a 2 I c ) 0
3
1
I 2 ( I a a 2 I b aI c ) 100
3

Example 3:
A three phase line feeding a balanced Y load has on of its phases (phase b)
open. The load neutral is grounded and the unbalanced currents are
Calculate the sequence and neutral currents:

Solution:

I a 100
I 0

I c 10120

1
I 0 ( I a I b I c ) 3.3360
3
1
I1 ( I a aI b a 2 I c ) 6.670
3
1
I 2 ( I a a 2 I b aI c ) 3.33 60
3

I n ( I a I b I c ) 1060
OR

I n 3I 0 1060

1. The Sequence circuits for Wye

and Delta connected loads

Ia

For the star connected load with

grounded neutral point,

ZY

Ib

In Ia Ib Ic

ZY

Vca
Vab

Ic

Van

I n 3 I ao

ZY

Vbc

Representing the unbalance currents with

their symmetrical components we get:

In

I ao I a1 I a 2 I bo I b1 I b 2

In

I ao I bo I co

I co I c1 I c 2

I a2 Ib2 Ic2
I I I

a1 b1 c1
zero

zero

Since the positive and negative sequence components are add to zero at the
neutral point, therefore there is no positive or negative sequence components
flow from the neutral to the ground.

I n 3I ao

Vn

Under unbalance condition:

Ia

I n 3I ao

Vab

The voltage drop between neutral

and ground is:

Ic

Van

I n 3 I ao

ZY

Ib

Vn I n Z n 3 I ao Z n

ZY

Vca

ZY

Vn

Vbc

It is very important to distinguish between voltages to neutral and voltages to ground.

Va Van Vn Van 3 I ao Z n

For unbalance three

phase system, the phase
voltages are:

Using the symmetrical

components:

Multiplying by A-1

Vao


Va1 ZY


Va 2

I ao


I a1


I a 2

Va


Vb


Vc

Van Vn
Ia
1

Vbn Vn ZY I 3 I ao Z n 1
b

Vcn Vn
I c
1

I ao
Vao




A Va1 Z Y A I a1 3 I ao Z n




Va 2
I a 2
Vao


Va1 Z Y


Va 2
1


3 I ao Z n 0


0

I ao


I a1


I a 2

1


1


1

3 I ao Z n A1

1


1


1

Vao ( Z Y 3 Z n ) I ao

OR

Vao Z o I ao

Eq. 1

Va1 Z Y I a1

Eq. 2

Va 2 Z Y I a 2

Eq. 3

Using the three previous

equations (Eqs. 1, 2 and 3)
then the Symmetrical circuits
for a Wye-connected load
with neutral point connected
to ground is:

I ao

Vao ( Z Y 3Z n ) I ao
Z o Z Y 3Z n

ZY

Zo

Vao

3Z n

Zero Sequence Circuit

I a1

Ia

ZY

Vca

Van

ZY

Ib
Ic

Va1 Z Y I a1

I n 3 I ao

Vab

ZY

Z1

Va

Vn

ZY

Positive Sequence Circuit

Vbc

Ia2

Va 2 Z Y I a 2

Va

ZY

Z2

Negative Sequence Circuit

Y-connected load (Isolated Neutral):

I ao

Zo

Ia
Vca

Vao

ZY

Van

Vab

ZY

Ib
Ic

Zn

Zero Sequence Circuit

ZY

I a1

If the neutral point of a Y-connected load is not

grounded, therefore, no zero sequence current
can flow, and

Positive Sequence Circuit

Ia2

Zn
Symmetrical circuits for Y-connected load
with neutral point is not connected to ground
are presented as shown:

ZY

Z1

Vbc
Va1

ZY

Va 2

ZY

Z2

Negative Sequence Circuit

Delta connected load:

The Delta circuit can not provide a path through neutral. Therefore for a Delta
connected load or its equivalent Y-connected can not contain any zero sequence
components.

Vab Z I ab

Ia

Vbc Z I bc

Vab

I ab

Vca

Vca Z I ca
Vbc

The summation of the line-to-line voltages

or phase currents are always zero

1
( Vab Vbc Vca ) Vab 0 0
3

Ic

I ca

Ib

I bc

1
( I ab I bc I ca ) I ab 0 0
3

and

Therefore, for a Delta-connected loads without sources or mutual coupling there will be no
zero sequence currents at the lines (There are some cases where a circulating currents may
circulate inside a delta load and not seen at the terminals of the zero sequence circuit).

I ao

I a1

Zero
Sequence
Circuit

V ao

Z / 3

Ia2

Positive
Sequence
Circuit

V a1

Ia

Solution:

Vab

Negative
Sequence
Circuit

I ab

Vca

Ib
Vbc

The positive- and negativesequence circuits have per-phase

impedance

Ic

Z1 Z / 3 7
Z 2 Z / 3 7

The zero-sequence circuit have per-phase impedance of 21 ohms. The

zero sequence current is circulating in Delta circuit.

I ao

V ao

10

Ia

Va

Z / 3

Ia
n

Va

Va 2

Example:
The Delta circuit have balanced impedances of
21 ohms. Determine the sequence impedances.

Z / 3

Z / 3

Z
Z

I bc

I ca

2. Sequence Circuits of
Transmission Lines

Ia

Z aa

Ib

Z aa

Consider a symmetrical transmission

line where,

Z ab
Ic

c
n

Z an

In

Z aa
Z nn

a
b
c
n

Zaa: is the self-impedance and is the same for each phase Z aa Z bb Z cc

Zab: is the mutual-impedance between each two phases Z ab Z ac Z bc
Znn: is the self-impedance of the neutral conductor
Zan: is the mutual-impedance between the neutral and each phase Z an Z bn Z cn
Using KVL

Van Z aa I a Z ab I b Z ab I c Z an I n Van
Z an I a Z an I b Z an I c Z nn I n

The voltage drop across the line section is:

V1 jL1 I 1 jM 12 I 2

Van Van ( Z aa Z an )I a ( Z ab Z an )I b ( Z ab Z an )I c ( Z an Z nn )I n
Van Van ( Z aa Z an )I a ( Z ab Z an )( I b I c ) ( Z an Z nn )I n

Eq. 1

Similarly, for phases b and c:

Vbn Vbn ( Z aa Z an )I b ( Z ab Z an )( I a I c ) ( Z an Z nn )I n

Eq. 2

Vcn Vcn ( Z aa Z an )I c ( Z ab Z an )( I a I b ) ( Z an Z nn )I n

Eq. 3

The neutral current is:

I n ( I a I b I c )

Eq. 4

Substituting Eq. 4 into Eqs. 1,2 and 3

Van Van ( Z aa Z an )I a ( Z ab Z an )( I b I c ) ( Z an Z nn )( I a I b I c )
Van Van ( Z aa Z nn 2 Z an )I a ( Z ab Z nn 2 Z an )I b ( Z ab Z nn 2 Z an )I c
Vbn Vbn ( Z ab Z nn 2 Z an )I a ( Z aa Z nn 2 Z an )I b ( Z ab Z nn 2 Z an )I c
Vcn Vcn ( Z ab Z nn 2 Z an )I a ( Z ab Z nn 2 Z an )I b ( Z aa Z nn 2 Z an )I c
Let:

Z s Z aa Z nn 2 Z an
Z m Z ab Z nn 2 Z an

11

Then, the voltage drops across the lines are

Vaa

Vb b
V
c c

Van Van

Vbn Vbn
Vcn Vcn

Zs Zm

Zm Zs
Z m Z m

Zm

Zm
Z s

Ia

Ib
I c

Using symmetrical components and rearranging the impedance matrix, we get:

Vaa0

A Vaa1
Vaa2

0
0
( Z s Z m )

0
(
Z
Z
)
0

s
m

0
0
( Zs Zm

Zm

Z
m

Z m
)

Zm
Zm
Zm

Zm

Zm
Z m

I a0
A I a1
I a 2

Multiplying by A-1

Vaa0

Vaa1
Vaa2

Or,

Vaa0

Va a '1
V
a a '2

1
A ( Zs Zm

1 0 0
1 1 1

)0 1 0 Z m 1 1 1
0 0 1
1 1 1

0
0
( Z s 2 Z m )

( Zs Zm )
0
0
0
0
( Zs Zm

Therefore,

I a0
A I a1
I a 2

I a0
I
b1
I c 2

Z o Z s 2Z m

Z1 Z s Z m

Z2 Zs Zm
Where,

Z s Z aa Z nn 2 Z an

Z m Z ab Z nn 2 Z an
Substituting for Z s and Z m

Zo Z s 2 Zm
Z o ( Z aa Z nn 2 Z an ) 2( Z ab Z nn 2 Z an )
Z o Z aa 2 Z ab 3 Z nn 6 Z an

12

I ao

a
Zo

Van0

Van 0

And

Z1 Z s Z m

Z1 ( Z aa Z nn 2 Z an ) ( Z ab Z nn 2 Z an )

Van

Z1 Z aa Z ab

Z 2 Z1 Z s Z m

Z 2 Z aa Z ab

Ia

Van

Ia

Van

Notes:

Van

The positive and negative sequence impedances are equal and dont include the neutral
conductor impedances ( Z nn or Z an ) . The return path conductors enter into the zero
sequence impedances only.
The ground wires (above overhead TL) combined with the earth works as a neutral
conductor with impedance parameters ( Z nn and Z an ) that effects the zero sequence
components. Having a good grounding (depends on the soil resistively), then the voltages
to the neutral can be considered as the voltages to ground.

3. Sequence Circuits of Synchronous Machines

Ia

Zn

In

Ecn

Ean
Ebn
Ib

Ic

13

3. Sequence Circuits of Synchronous Machines

Positive Sequence Circuit:

Ia

The windings of a synchronous machine are

symmetrical.
Thus the generator voltages are of positive
sequence only.
The positive sequence network consists of an
EMF (equal to no-load terminal voltage) in series
with the positive sequence impedance of the
machine.

Ean
Ebn

Ecn

Ib

Ic

Ean

Va

The neutral impedance (Zn) does not appear in this

circuit because no positive sequence current will
flow through it.

I a1 I b1 I c1 0

Negative Sequence Circuit:

The synchronous machine does not generate any negative sequence voltages.
I a

Ia

Va

I b
Ic

Zero Sequence Circuit:

No zero sequence voltage is included in a synchronous machine.
Iao
3Iao
Zn

Zgo

Zgo

Z go
Zgo

Ibo

Ico

14

I ao

3 Zn

Vao

Z go :Zero sequence impedance

per phase.

I ao I bo I co 3 I ao

Z o 3 Z n Z go

Summary of the three

sequence circuits
I ao

Z go
Ia

Zn

In
Ecn

Vao

3 Zn

Zero
Sequence

Ean

Symmetrical
Circuits

Ebn

Positive
Sequence

Ib

1 0

Va

Ean

Ia
Negative
Sequence

Ic

Va

4. Sequence Circuits of Delta and Wye Transformers

The flow of the sequence currents depend on the winding connections. The different
installations of Delta-Wye windings determine the configuration of the zero sequence
circuit and the phase shift in the positive and negative sequence circuits.
A. Wye-Wye Bank, Both
Neutrals Grounded
With both wyes grounded, zero
sequence current can flow. The
presence of the current in one
winding means that secondary
current exists in the other.
V A VAN VN

I A I A0 I A1 I A 2

Ia Ia0 Ia Ia

I B I B 0 I B1 I B 2

. Eq. 1

V A0 V A V A ( V AN 0 V AN V AN ) 3 I A0 Z N

3 Ia0

ZN

Zn

I C I C 0 I C1 I C 2

Ia Ia0 Ia Ia

I A I A 0 I A I A
A

a
Van

VAN
VA

15

3 I A0
N

. Eq. 2

The negative- and positive-sequence

voltages to ground are equal to negativeand positive-sequence voltages to
neutral.

3 I A0

3 I a0
n

ZN

Zn

Two linked windings

Va

Similarly, on the low voltage side

Va Van Vn

The negative sign comes

from the direction of the
zero sequence current

. Eq. 3

Va 0 Va Va ( Van0 Van Van ) 3 I a 0 Z n

. Eq. 4

The voltages and currents on both sides of the transformer are related by the turns
ration (N1 / N2). Therefore, Eq. 4 can be written as
Va 0 Va Va (

N2
N
N
N
V AN 0 2 V AN 2 V AN ) 3 Z n ( 1 )I A0
N1
N1
N1
N2

. Eq. 5

Multiplying Eq. 5 by (N1 / N2).

N1
N
( Va 0 Va Va ) V AN 0 V AN V AN 3 Z n ( 1 )2 I A0
N2
N2

. Eq. 6

Substituting from Eq. 2 for ( V AN 0 V AN V AN ) V A0 V A V A 3 I A0 Z N

Then,

N1
N
( Va 0 Va Va ) V A0 V A V A 3 Z N I A0 3 Z n ( 1 )2 I A0
N2
N2

. Eq. 7

By equating voltages of the same sequence, we can write

N1
Va V A
N2

and

Z+

N1
Va V A
N2

. Eq. 8

This is similar to a regular transformer, and therefore, the positive

and negative sequence circuits for a transformer are applicable.

Z-

N1
N
Va 0 V A0 [ 3 Z N 3 Z n ( 1 )2 ] I A0
N2
N2
Z

Reference Bus

. Eq. 9
Reference Bus

3Z N

3(

N1 2
) Zn
N2
N1 : N2

Ia0

I A0
VA0

Va 0

Eq. 9 represents the relation for the zero sequence. This relation can be represented
as shown in the Fig. When the voltages on both sides of the transformer are
expressed in per unit, the turns ratio becomes unity. The zero sequence
impedance of the circuit, (adding the leakage impedance Z), is:

Z 0 Z 3 Z N 3 Z n per unit

16

. Eq. 10

A. Wye-Wye bank with both neutrals grounded,

zero sequence current can flow. The presence of
the current in one winding means that secondary
current exists in the other. The equivalent circuit is
as shown in the Figure.
B. Wye-wye Bank, One Neutral Grounded
With ungrounded wye, no zero sequence current
can flow. No current in one winding means that no
current exists in the other.
C. Wye-delta Bank, Grounded Wye
Zero sequence currents will pass through the wye
winding to ground. As a result, secondary zero
sequence currents will circulate through the delta
winding. No zero sequence current will exist on the
lines of the secondary.
E. Delta-delta Bank
Since for a delta circuit no return path for zero sequence
current exists, no zero sequence current can flow into a
delta-delta bank, although it can circulate within the
delta windings.

Z0 Z

Reference Bus

OC

Z
Reference Bus

OC

Z0 Z

Reference Bus

OC

OC
Z

Reference Bus

Summary of Transformer Sequence Networks

Transformer Zero Sequence Impedance

17

Example 4:

Draw the sequence circuits for the network.

2
1

G1

T1

220 kV Transmission Line

3
T2

G2

220 kV Transmission Line

J0.03

J0.02

MVA

Voltage

X+

X-

Xo

G1

100

11 kV

0.25

0.25

0.05

G2

100

11 kV

0.20

0.20

0.05

T1

100

11/220

0.06

0.06

0.06

T2

100

11/220

0.07

0.07

0.07

Line

100

220kV

0.10

0.10

0.30

Solution: The System Sequence Circuits

2
1

G1

T1

220 kV Transmission Line

3
T2

G2

220 kV Transmission Line

J0.03

J0.02

G1
Z go
3 Zn

I ao

Transmission
Line
ZO

18

ZO

Vao

Z go
Vao

Ean

ZO

G2

3 Zn

+
Z

Va

Va

Ean

Ia
Va

Va

2
G1

T1

220 kV Transmission Line

3
T2

G2

220 kV Transmission Line

J0.03

J0.02

J0.1
J0.25

J0.06

J0.07

J0.2

10o

J0.1

10o

Positive Sequence Circuit

2
G1

T1

220 kV Transmission Line

3
T2

G2

220 kV Transmission Line

J0.03

J0.02

J0.1
J0.25

J0.06

J0.07

J0.1

Negative Sequence Circuit

19

J0.2

2
G1

220 kV Transmission Line

T1

T2

G2

220 kV Transmission Line

J0.03

J0.02

2
J0.05

J0.3

J0.06

J0.07

J0.05

J0.3

J0.06

J0.09

Zero Sequence Circuit

Example 5:
Draw the zero sequence circuit for the network.

Line 1

T1

T3

T2

T4

G2

G1

Line 2

Line 3

20

X-

Xo

G1

0.25

0.25

0.05

G2 , G3

0.20

0.20

0.05

T1-T6

0.06

0.06

0.06

Line 1-3

0.10

0.10

0.30

T6

G3

T5

X+

Solution
The zero sequence circuit for the
network

Xo

G2

G1

0.25

0.25

0.05

G2 , G3

0.20

0.20

0.05

T1-T6

0.06

0.06

0.06

Line 1-3

0.10

0.10

0.30

Line 2

Line 3

T5

T4

T6

G3

X-

T3

G1

T2

X+

Line 1

T1

TL1

T1

T3
T2

G3

G1
TL2

G1

Xo

T6

T5

Xo

TL3

Xo

G2

G3

Reference

21

G2
T4