REPUBLIC OF IRAQ

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

SOUTHERN TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
ENGINEERING TECHNICAL COLLEGE/BASRA
FUEL & ENERGY DPT.

A Report On :

(Three phase system and its importance)

Submitted By :

MOHAMMED H.ABDULRIDAH

Second Stage / under graduate Studies

As Requirement for:
" Electrical circuits" Subject

Engineering Technical College

Fuel & Energy Department

Basra

Supervisor:
May Alkadhim

July 2020

1
INTEODUCTION

In electrical engineering, three-phase electric power systems have at least three

conductors carrying alternating FIG.1
current voltages that are offset in time
by one-third of the period. A
three-phase system may be arranged in
delta (∆) or star (Y) (also denoted as
wye in some areas). A wye system
allows the use of two different voltages
from all three phases, such as a
230/400 V system which provides
230 V between the neutral (center hub)
and any one of the phases, and 400 V
across any two phases. A delta system arrangement only provides one voltage
magnitude, but it has a greater redundancy as it may continue to operate normally
with one of the three supply windings offline, albeit at 57.7% of total capacity
Harmonic current in the neutral may become very large if nonlinear loads are
connected.

DEFINITION

The system which has three phases, i.e., the current will pass through the three
wires, and there will be one neutral wire for passing the fault current to the earth is
known as the three phase system. In other words, the system which uses three wires
for generation, transmission and distribution is known as the three phase system.
The three phase system is also used as a single phase system if one of their phase and
the neutral wire is taken out from it. The sum of the line currents in the 3-phase
system is equal to zero, and their phases are differentiated at an angle of 120º.

2
 The three-phase system has four wire, i.e., the three current carrying conductors
and the one neutral. The cross section area of the neutral conductor is half of the live
wire. The current in the neutral wire is equal to the sum of the line current of the
three wires and consequently equal to √3 times the zero phase sequence components
of current.

The three-phase system has several advantages like it requires fewer conductors
as compared to the single phase system. It also gives the continuous supply to the
load. The three-phase system has higher efficiency and minimum losses.

The three phase system induces in the generator which gives the three phase
voltage of equal magnitude and frequency. It provides an uninterruptible power, i.e.,
if one phase of the system is disturbed, then the remaining two phases of the system
continue supplies the power. The magnitude of the current in one phase is equal to
the sum of the current in the other two phases of the system.

DIGRAM

The below images demonstrate how a system of six wires delivering three phases
from an alternator may be replaced by just three. A three-phase transformer is also
shown.

FIG2 FIG3 FIG4

3
TYPES OF CONNECTIONS IN THREE-PHASE SYSTEM

The three-phase systems are connected in two ways, i.e., the star connection and the
delta connection. Their detail explanation is shown below.

STAR CONNECTION

The star connection requires four wires in which there are three phase conductors
and one neutral conductor. Such type of connection is mainly used for long distance
transmission because it has a neutral point. The neutral point passes the unbalanced
current to the earth and hence make the system balance.

The star connected three phase systems FIG.5

gives two different voltages, i.e., the 230
V and 440V. The voltage between the
single phase and the neutral is 230V, and
the voltage between the two phases is
equal to the 440V.

Circuit Globe Power Systems Three

Phase System FIG.5

THREE PHASE SYSTEM

Definition

The system which has three phases, i.e., the current will pass through the three
wires, and there will be one neutral wire for passing the fault current to the earth is
known as the three phase system. In other words, the system which uses three wires
for generation, transmission and distribution is known as the three phase system.

4
The three phase system is also used FIG.6
as a single phase system if one of
their phase and the neutral wire is
taken out from it. The sum of the
line currents in the 3-phase system
is equal to zero, and their phases are
differentiated at an angle of 120º.

The three-phase system has four

wire, i.e., the three current carrying
conductors and the one neutral. The
cross section area of the neutral
conductor is half of the live wire.
The current in the neutral wire is
equal to the sum of the line current of the three wires and consequently equal to √3
times the zero phase sequence components of current.

The three-phase system has several advantages like it requires fewer conductors
as compared to the single phase system. It also gives the continuous supply to the
load. The three-phase system has higher efficiency and minimum losses.

The three phase system induces in the generator which gives the three phase
voltage of equal magnitude and frequency. It provides an uninterruptible power, i.e.,
if one phase of the system is disturbed, then the remaining two phases of the system
continue supplies the power .The magnitude of the current in one phase is equal to
the sum of the current in the other two phases of the system.

The 120º phase difference of the three phases is must for the proper working of
the system. Otherwise, the system becomes damaged

5
TYPES OF CONNECTIONS IN THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
The three-phase systems are connected in two ways, i.e., the star connection and
the delta connection. Their detail explanation is shown below.

STAR CONNECTION
The star connection requires four FIG.7

wires in which there are three phase

conductors and one neutral conductor.
Such type of connection is mainly used
for long distance transmission because it
has a neutral point. The neutral point
passes the unbalanced current to the
earth and hence make the system
balance.

The star connected three phase

systems gives two different voltages, i.e.,
the 230 V and 440V. The voltage
between the single phase and the neutral is 230V, and the voltage between the two
phases is equal to the 440V.

DELTA CONNECTION
The delta connection has three wires, FIG.8

and there is a no neutral point. The delta

connection is shown in the figure below.
The line voltage of the delta connection
is equal to the phase voltage.

6
CONNECTION OF LOADS IN THREE PHASE SYSTEM

The loads in the three-phase system may also connect in the star or delta. The
three phase loads connected in the delta and star is shown in the figure below.

FIG.9 FIG.10

Three phase system has the following advantages as compare to single phase
system:

1. Power to weight ratio of 3-ø alternator is high as compared to 1-ø alternator.

That means for generation for same amount of Electric Power, the size of 3-ø
alternator is small as compare to 1-ø alternator. Hence, the overall cost of
alternator is reduced for generation of same amount of power. Moreover, due
to reduction in weight, transportation and installation of alternator become
convenient and less space is required to accommodate the alternator in power
houses.
2. For electric power transmission and distribution of same amount of power,
the requirement of conductor material is less in 3-ø system as compare to 1-ø
system. Hence, the 3-ø transmission and distribution system is economical as
compare 1-ø system.

1. From power waveforms shown in figure (C) and (D) above it is clear that in
the 3-phase system, the instantaneous power is almost constant over the cycle
results in smooth and vibration-free operation of the machine. Whereas in 1-ø
7
 system the instantaneous power is pulsating hence change over the cycle,
which leads to vibrations in machines.
2. Power to weight ratio of three phase induction motor is high as compare
to single phase induction motor. Means for the same amount of Mechanical
Power, the size of three phase induction motor is small as compared to single
phase induction motor. Hence, the overall cost of induction motor is reduced.
Moreover, due to reduction in weight, transportation, and installation of
induction motor become convenient and less space is required to
accommodate the induction motor.
3. 3-phase induction motor is self-started as the magnetic flux produced by
3-phase supply is rotating in nature with a constant magnitude. Whereas 1-ø
induction motor is not self-started as the magnetic flux produced by 1-ø
supply is pulsating in nature. Hence, we have to make some arrangement to
make the 1-ø induction motor self-started which further increases the cost of
1-ø induction motor.
4. 3-phase motor is having better power factor
5. Power to weight ratio of 3-phase transformer is high as compare to 1-ø
transformer. Means for the same amount of Electric Power, the size of
3-phase transformer is small as compared to 1-ø transformer. Hence, the
overall cost of a transformer gets reduced. Moreover, due to reduction in
weight, transportation and installation of transformer become convenient and
less space is required to accommodate the transformer.
6. If a fault occurs in any winding of a 3-phase transformer, the rest of two
winding can be used in the open delta to serve the 3-phase load. The same is
not possible in 1-ø transformer. This ability of 3-phase transformer further
increases the reliability of 3-phase transformer.
7. A 3-phase system can be used to feed a 1-ø load, whereas vice-versa is not
possible.
8. DC rectified from 3-phase supply is having the ripple factor 4% and DC
rectified from 1-ø supply is having the ripple factor 48.2%. Mean DC rectified
from 3-ø supply contains fewer ripples as compare to DC rectified from a 1-ø
supply. Hence the requirement of the filter is reduced for DC rectified from a
3-phase supply. Which reduce the overall cost of converter.

8
REFERENCS

✓ "Delta and Wye 3-phase circuits" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on
2013-05-13. Retrieved 2012-11- 21. public domain

✓ Keljik, Jeffrey (2008). Electricity 3: Power Generation and Delivery. Clifton

Park, NY: Cengage Learning/Delmar. p. 49. ISBN 978-1435400290.

✓ Lowenstein, Michael. "The 3rd Harmonic Blocking Filter: A Well

Established Approach to Harmonic Current Mitigation". IAEI Magazine.
Archived from the original on 27 March 2011. Retrieved 24 November
2012.

✓ Enjeti, Prasad. "Harmonics in Low Voltage Three-Phase Four-Wire Electric

Distribution Systems and Filtering Solutions" (PDF). Texas A&M University
Power Electronics and Power Quality Laboratory. Archived (PDF) from the
original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2012.

✓ "Measurement of three-phase power with the 2-wattmeter method"(PDF).

[permanent dead link]

✓ "THE TWO-METER WATTMETER METHOD" (PDF).