POWER

MEASUREMENT
IN 3-PHASE CIRCUITS
 METHODS

• Three-Watter Method
• Two-Watter Method
• One-Watter Method
 THREE-WATTER METHOD

3 wattmeter's are connected in such a

way that each has its current coil in one
line and its potential coil between that
line and some common point.
 W1
I1
R ±
Z1
±
N W2
±
Z3 Z3 X
B I2
Y
±
W3
±
I3

±
 THE TRICK

Total power : w1 + w2 + w3

• If neutral wire available, the common point X

should be the neutral wire.
• Note: Total power does not depends upon
whether the load is balanced or not.
 WHERE TO PLACE ‘X’

The point X may be specified

point in the three phase system or
it may be merely a paint in space at
which the three potential coils have
a common junction
 TWO-WATTER METHOD

Current coils of two wattmeter's are

connected in any two lines and the
potential coil of each joined to the
third line
 W1
I1
R ±
Z1
±
N

Z3 Z3 I2
B
Y
±
W2
±
I3

±
 THE TRICK

Total power : w1 + w2 + w3

• If the neutral wire is available, it should carry

no current.
• Or else the neutral of the load should be
isolated from the neutral of the source.
 TRIVIA

The two-wattmeter method is essentially

the three-wattmeter method with common
point shifted to one of the lines
 ON A NOTE

Two-watter method is a universal

method of measuring power in a
3-phase circuit.
 TWO-WATTER METHOD BALANCED LOAD

VBN IB
VBY
R.M.S IY
VRN R.M.S
IR
VYN
-VYN VRY
VBN 300
IB
300
LOAD PHASE
PHASE ɸ 300 CURRENTS
300
VOLTAGES
ɸ ɸ VRN
IY IR

VYN
 POWER FACTOR

• Since, Total power = W1+ W2

• Power Factor :

(w2-w1)
tan ɸ = √3
(w2+w1)
 A BRAIN TEASER

W2=VLILCOS(300- ɸ) W1=VLILCOS(300+ ɸ)

Which is greater W1 or W2 ?
 ANSWER
(w2-w1)
PF : tan ɸ = √3
(w2+w1)

• Since ɸ can vary between 900 to 00

• So, tan ɸ vary between 0 to 1.
• Therefore, whose reading is proportional to
(300- ɸ) is greater and positive
 EFFECT OF LOAD PF ON
WATTMETER READINGS
ɸ 00 600 More than 600 900

Cos ɸ 1 o.5 <0.5 0

W2 +ve +ve +ve +ve

W1 +ve 0 -ve -ve

Conclusion W1 = W2 W1 =0 Total Power: W2=-W1

Total Power: Total Power: W1-W2 Total Power:0
W1+W2 W2
 (w2-w1)
Lagging p.f tan ɸ = √3
(w2+w1)
(Higher reading - Lower Reading)
TRICK : tan ɸ = √3
(Higher reading + Lower Reading)

(w1-w2)
Leading p.f tan ɸ = √3
(w1+w2)
REACTIVE POWER

√3 (w2-w1)

Difference Of Readings
Of Two Wattmeter’s
 ONE-WATTER METHOD

If the load (3-phse) Y or is )balanced,

the power in any phase can be
measured by a single wattmeter.
 W
IR
R

N
VYB
Z Z IY
B
Y

IB
 THE TRICK
• Two wattmeter’s readings are taken with the help
of one.
• The current coil is connected in any one line and
the pressure coil is connected in any one line and
the pressure coil is connected alternately
between this and the other two lines.
• Algebraic sum of the two readings give the total
power drawn by the balanced 3-phase load.
 REACTIVE POWER

√3 (Wattmeter Reading)
 HAPPY LEARNING

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve

me and I learn.
 PRESENTED BY:

Abhisek Padhi
http://TechniKaly.com
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