UNBALANCED THREE-PHASE CIRCUITS:

The calculation of an unbalanced three-phase circuit is carried out by means of a node or mesh
analysis, because spatial symmetry, which allows replacing a balanced three-phase problem with a
representative single-phase one, no longer exists. It is also evident that the advantages of the
three-phase over the single-phase disappear if the circuit is very unbalanced. It is also possible to
calculate this type of circuits using the three-phase components method.

Open delta connection (D): to study the unbalanced three-phase load, the one in figure 10.1 is
used, which is an unbalanced delta connection load, since the third impedance that closes the
triangle is omitted. The third impedance can be considered as being too large (infinite): it is
treated as an open circuit.

Figure 10.1. Unbalanced circuit in open D connection

The two impedances are the same, but the third is missing, which if connected between A and B
would result in the total load being a balanced triangle. Line voltages at load terminals are
assumed to be balanced and ABC sequence

Figure 10.2 Phasor diagram of the unbalanced circuit in open D connection

Since the three line currents are not equal, if this load would be connected to a source by means
of conductors, the power loss in conductor C would be triple the loss in A or B. Furthermore, the
voltages in the impedances of drivers would be uneven and unbalanced.
Since the three line currents are not equal, if this load would be connected to a source by means
of conductors, the power loss in conductor C would be triple the loss in A or B. Furthermore, the
voltages in the impedances of drivers would be uneven and unbalanced.

Unbalanced Y connection: In the study of the unbalanced Y connection, the circuit of figure 10.3 is
used.

Figure 10.3 Three-phase circuit in Y connection unbalanced

Assuming that the source voltages are known, the line current can be calculated if the voltages of
A, B and C with respect to the neutral point of the load are also known. The tension (VNN ’) is
calculated using the node method. An equivalent circuit can be obtained with respect to the N and
N 'terminals, converting each voltage source into a current source, this circuit is shown in figure
10.4.

Figure 10.4. Equivalent of current sources, with respect to N-N ’

The application of Kirchhoff's current law to the union gives:

If the neutrals N and N ’are joined by means of a null impedance (infinite admittance), VNN’ will be
zero and the voltage at each phase impedance will not depend on the other impedances. If, on the
other hand, ZNN ’is appreciable, the voltage at each phase impedance will influence the others.
Unbalanced triphasic systems also known as unbalanced triphasic systems, usually have
unbalanced or unbalanced phases. When we find an expression of this style it means that there is
no 120 ° of displacement between the different sinusoidal phase signals and it can be a serious
problem because we will be loading a phase more than others. The triphasic imbalance is the
phenomenon that occurs in triphasic systems where the voltages and / or angles between
consecutive phases are not the same.

The continuous change of loads present in the network, causes a magnitude of imbalance in
permanent variation. An unbalanced system is the product of two possible situations: 1) The
source voltages are not equal in magnitude and differ in phase at unequal angles. 2) The
impedances load loads are uneven. An unbalanced system is due to unbalanced voltage sources or
an unbalanced load.

Causes of tension imbalance.

The main cause is single-phase loads on the three-phase system, due to a non-homogeneous
distribution, especially that of single-phase low-voltage consumers. For the same dispersion of
single-phase loads, the configuration of the type of distribution and transmission network affects
the propagation of the unbalance. The own and mutual impedances between unbalanced phases
will present imbalances in voltage drops even with symmetrical loads.
UNBALANCED LOAD CONNECTED IN ESTTRELLA

UNBALANCED SYSTEMS.

Unbalanced triphasic systems with delta or star connected loads are the subject of careful study
because they cause problems from the point of view of system operation.

The imbalance or imbalance that occurs is because the pro-phase impedances are different, or
because the line or phase voltages differ between them in magnitude, the symmetry that occurs in
balanced three-phase systems is not established in the case of systems unbalanced.

We are going to study unbalanced systems considering star-connected loads.

UNBALANCED LOAD CONNECTED IN STAR

Unbalanced 4-wire star-load systems, which obviously have the neutral conductor, carry the
unbalance current and maintain the magnitude of the line-to-neutral voltage across the phases of
the load. We will study the above considering the following example:

A three-phase four-wire system has a star-connected, unbalanced three-phase load with:

Za = 6∠0˚Ω Zb = 6∠30˚Ω Zc = 5∠45˚Ω

The generating source presents ABC sequence and phase voltage of 120 Vrms, it is desired to
know all the line currents considering the voltage Van as a reference to zero degrees, see figure 1.

For the calculation of the line currents we consider the phase voltages and their corresponding
impedances, therefore.
Ia = ((Van / Za)) = ((120∠0˚ / 6∠0˚)) = 20∠0˚Arms

Ib = ((Vbn / Zb)) = ((120∠-120˚) / (6∠30˚)) = 20 ∠-150˚ Arms

Ic = ((Vcn / Zc)) = ((120∠120˚) / (5∠45)) = 24 ∠75˚ Arms

The current through the neutral wire is obtained by applying Kirchhoff's current law at the
common point of the star, where In is:

In = Ia + Ib + Ic = 20∠0˚ + 20∠-150˚ + 24∠75˚ = 15.9∠56˚

It is important to note that in this case the imbalance of the currents determines that a current
defined by the phases circulates through the neutral wire.

In unbalanced three-phase systems with three-wire star-connected loads, the analysis considers
the voltages of the source supplying the energy as balanced and directly establishes the mesh
equations to determine the phase currents.