Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Lopez, Quezon
College of Engineering

THREE-PHASE ELECTRIC POWER

SUBMITTED BY:

Enrico Jr C. Gardua
Joanah Jarah C. Gutierrez
John Jervin D. Iglesia
Mc Rex C. Iglesia
Chyrenor A. Javier

SUBMITTED TO:

Eng. Cesar Perion

Three-phase electric power system
It is a common method of alternating current electric power generation, transmission and
distribution. It is a type of polyphase system and it is the most common method used by
electrical grids worldwide to transfer power.

It uses less conductor material to transmit electric power than equivalent single phase,
two phase or direct current systems at the same voltage.

Three phase system may or may not have a neutral wire. A neutral wire allows the three
phase system to use a higher voltage while still supporting lower voltage single phase
appliances. In high voltage distribution situations it is common not to have a neutral wires
as the loads can simply be connected between phases.

At the power station, an electrical generator converts mechanical power into a set of
alternating electric currents, from each electromagnetic coil or winding of the generator.

Generators output at a voltage that ranges from hundreds of Volts to 30,000 Volts. At the
power station, transformers step-up this voltage to one or more suitable for
transmission.

Generally three phase power either does not enter domestic houses at all, or where it
does, it is split out at the main distribution board.

ADVANTAGES OF THREE PHASE ELECTRIC POWER

As compared to a single-phase Ac power supply that uses two conductors (phase and
neutral), a three phase supply with no neutral and the same phase-to-ground voltage and
current capacity per phase can transmit three times as much power using just 1.5 times
as many wires. The same ratio of capacity to conductor material can also be attained with
a center-grounded single-phase system.

Three-phase motor is having better power factor and efficiency as compare to single
phase motor.

If fault occurs in any winding of three-phase transformer, the rest of two winding can be
used in open delta to serve the three phase load which is not possible in single phase.

Three phase supplies have properties that make them very desirable in electric power
distribution system:

The phase currents tend to cancel out one another, summing to zero in the case of a linear
balanced load. This makes it possible to reduces the size of the neutral conductor because
it carries little or no current. With a balanced load, all the phase conductors carry the
same current and so can be the same size.

Power transfer into a linear balanced load is constant, which helps to reduce generator
and motor vibration.

Three phase systems can produces a rotating magnetic field with a specified direction
and constant magnitude, which simplifies the design of electric motors.

Phase Sequence

Wiring for the three phases is typically identified by color codes which vary by country.
Connection of the phases in the right order is required to ensure the intended direction
of rotation of three-phase motors.
For example, pumps and fans may not work in reverse. Maintaining the identity of phases is
required if there is any possibility two sources can be connected at the same time; a direct
interconnection between two different phases is a short-circuit.

Generation and Distribution

At the power station an electrical generator converts mechanical power into a set of three
AC electric currents, one from each coil (or winding) of the generator. The windings are
arranged such that the currents vary sinusoidally at the same frequency but with the
peaks and troughs of their wave forms offset to provide three complementary currents
with a phase separation of 1/3 cycle. The generator frequency is typically 50 or 60 Hz,
depending on the country.

At the power station, transformers change the voltage from generators to level suitable
for transmission in order to minimize losses.

After further voltage conversions in the transmission network, the voltage is finally
transformed to the standard utilization before power is supplied to customers.

Three-phase loads
An important class of three-phase load is the electric motor. A three-phase induction
motor has a simple design, inherently high starting torque and high efficiency. Such
motors are applied in industry for pumps, fans, blowers, compressors, conveyor drives
and many other kinds of motor-driven equipment.

A three phase motor will be more compact and less costly than single phase motor of the
same voltage class and rating; and single-phase AC motors above 10 Hp (7.5KW) are
uncommon.

Three-phase motors also vibrate less and hence last longer than single-phase motors of
the same power used under the same conditions.

Resistance heating loads such as electric boilers or spaces heating may be connected to
three-phase systems. Electric lighting may also be similarly connected.

Long air conditioning, etc. equipment use three-phase motors for reasons of efficiency,
economy, and longevity.

Single Phase vs. Three Phase Power

SINGLE PHASE POWER

Used in most homes in North America

 Able to supply ample power for most smaller customers, including homes and small, non
industrial businesses

Adequate for running motors up to about 5 horsepower; a single phase motor draws
significantly more current than the equivalent 3 phase motor, making three phase power
a more efficient choice for industrial applications

THREE PHASE POWER

Common in large business, as well as industry and manufacturing

Increasing popular in power-hungry, high density data centers

Expensive to convert from an existing single phase installation, but 3 phase allows for
smaller, less expensive wiring and lower voltages, making it safer and less expensive to
run

High efficient for equipment design to run on 3 phase

POWER PLANT: THREE-PHASE POWER

The power plant produces three different phases of AC power simultaneously, and the three
phases are offset 120 degrees from each other. There are four wires coming out of every
power plant: the three phases plus a neutral or ground common to all three.

Alternative to three-phase

Three-wire single-phase distribution is useful when three phase power is not available
and allows double the normal utilization voltage to be supplied for high power loads.

Two phase power, like three phase gives constant power transfer to a linear load. For
loads which connect each phase to neutral, assuming the load is the samepower draw,
the two wire system has neutral current in a three phase system.

Monocyclic power was name for an asymmetrical modified two phase power system used
by General Electric around 1897. In this system, a generator was wound with a full voltage
single phase winding intended for lighting loads.

High phase order system for power transmission have been built and tested. Such
transmission lines use 6 or 12 phases and design practices characteristic of extra-high
voltage transmission lines. High phase order transmission line may allow transfer of more
power through a given transmission line right-of-way without the expense of a HDVC
converter at each end of the line.

Measurement of Three phase power

We have three methods:

1. Three wattmeters method

2. Two wattmeters method

3. Single wattmeters method.

Three wattmeters method

It is applied to three phase four wire systems, current coil of all the three wattmeters
marked as one, two three are connected to respective phases marked as one, two and three.
Pressure coils of all the three wattmeter are connected to common point at neutral line

Two wattmeters method

1.Star connected loads

2.Delta connected loads.

Transformer Connections

A delta connected transformers winding is connected between phases of a three-phase system.

A wye transformer connects each winding from a phases wire to a common neutral point.

A single three-phase transformer can be used, or three single-phase transformers.

In an open delta or V systems, only two transformers can operate as an open delta if one of the
transformer must carry current for its respective phases as well as current for the third phase,
Therefore capacity is reduced to 87% efficiency, the capacity is 58% (2/3 of 87%).

Typical Transformer Yard

What is Three-Phase Power?

Three sinusoidal voltages of equal amplitude and frequency out of phase with each other
by 120. Known as balanced.
Phases are labeled A, B, and C.
Phases are sequenced as A, B, C (positive) or A, C, B (negative).

Conclusions for the Y connection

The amplitude of the line-to-line voltage is equal to 3 times the amplitude of the phase
voltage.

The line-to-line voltages form a balanced set of 3-phase voltages.

The set of line-to-line voltages leads the set of line-to-neutral (phase) voltages by 30.

Conclusions for the Delta connection

The amplitude of the line current is equal to 3 times the phase current.

The set of line currents lags the phase currents by 30.