1.

Introduction

Distribution of electrical energy through the National system is achieved by three-phase

alternating current. However, to understand the three phase currents it is necessary to
understand a single-phase current first. Single phase current is accomplished through a single-
phase voltage generator. That is voltage that is induced by a single coil when it is spinning in a
uniform magnetic field. Most electric appliances are powered by a single phased alternating
electric current. For a single-phased current two wires are required-one called “live” (red) and
one called “neutral” (black), which is usually connected to earth through protective gear.

2. Three-phase supply

Naturally, having in mind the previous explanation, a three-phase system would be requiring a
total of six wires although this is not quite the case. A three-phase system requires four wires.
To understand the reason, it is first necessary to understand how a three phase supply works. A
three-phase supply y is generated when three coils are placed 120° apart and the whole rotated
in a uniform magnetic field as shown in Figure 1.2. it results in three equal and independent
supply voltages that are displaced by 120 degrees of each other as it is shown on figure 1.3 ) The
convention adopted to identify each of the phase voltages is: R-red, Y-yellow, and B-blue, as
shown

figure 1.2
 figure 1.3

The phase-sequence is given by the sequence in which the conductors pass the point initially taken by
the red conductor. The national standard phase sequence is R, Y, B. this color correspond to the colors
of the wires through which each phase goes. They are also called “lines“.

If this currents are isolated and independent from each other then a total of six wires would be required
to supply a three phase appliance such as a motor for example. However, there is a way to prevent using
two of the wires. As each phase is shifted with 120 degrees from the previous one, once they
interconnect by flowing into the same wire, they cancel each other. This forth wire is called “neutral”
and is painted black. It is also connected to earth through a protective devices.

There are two ways in which the supplies can be connected to the neutral wire. Those are star
configuration and delta configuration. The star configuration is mainly used for a three phase supplies
such as alternators whereas transformers motors and other loads could be connected in delta and star
configuration.

3. Star/delta configuration
I. Star configuration is such that each load has one line connected to a supply and the other to
a point called “neutral” or “star” point as shown on figure 3.1.

figure 3.1
The voltages, V r ,V y and V b are called phase voltages or line to neutral voltages. Phase voltages are
generally denoted by V p

V r y , V yb , V br are called line voltages or V L

In star connections the phase currents are equal to their respective line currents I R , I Y , I b , which can be
observed on figure 3.1.

When the connected system is balanced the neutral conductor is often unnecessary and omitted.

In a balanced system:

I R =I Y =I B V R=V Y =V B V RY =V YB =V BR Z R=Z Y =Z B

And the current in the neutral conductor equals zero.

On figure 3.2 the line voltages can be observed as vectors and the line voltage V RY =V R−V Y . Vy is
negative because it is in the opposite direction of V RY . V RY is result of the reversing of the V Y vector
and by adding it to V R (V RY =V R + (−V Y ) ¿which can be observed in figure 3.3. By trigonometry we can
derive that V RY =√ 3 V R . The same goes for all the other lines ( figure 3.4) V l=√ 3 V p

figure 3.2

figure 3.3
 II. Delta configuration
figure 3.4

Delta configuration also called mesh connection load (figure 3.4) is such that the end of each load is
connected to the start of the next one. From figure 3.4 it can be seen that the line voltages and the
phase voltages are one and the same

V L=V P

And using the kirchhoff’s current law in figure 3.4 I R =I RY −I BR=I RY +(−I BR ). From the phasor
diagram shown in Figure 3.5, by trigonometry or by measurement I R =√ 3 I RY hence:

I L =√ 3 I P

figure 3.5

4. Power in three-phase systems

The power dissipated in a three-phase load is given by the sum of the power dissipated in each
phase. If a load is balanced then the total power P is given by tree times the power consumed by
one phase and to get the power consumed in one phase the following formula should be used:
I 2P R p∨V P I P cos ф (where ф is the phase angle between V p∧I P ¿

VL V
In star connection: V P=
√3 ( )
∧I P=I L therefore P=3 L I L cos ф=√ 3 V L I L cos Ф
√3
IL I
In delta connection V P=V L , I P=
√3 √3( )
hence P=3 V L L cos ф=√ 3 V L I L cosф❑-

Hence for either a star or a delta balanced connection the total power P is given by:
P= √3 V L I L cos Ф watts о r P=3 I 2p R p watts.

Total volt-amperes, S= √ 3 V L I L volt −amperes

5. Comparison of star and delta connections

In terms of power efficiency, we can convey that delta configuration has three times the power
dissipation in comparison to the star configuration.
For the same power, the phase currents must be the same for both delta and star connections
(since power ¿ 3 Ip 2 Rp ), hence the line current in the delta-connected system is greater than
the line current in the corresponding star-connected system. To achieve the same phase current
in a star-connected system as in a delta-connected system, the line voltage in the star system is
√ 3 times the line voltage in the delta system.
Thus for a given power transfer, a delta system is associated with larger line currents (and thus
larger conductor cross-sectional area) and a star system is associated with a larger line voltage
(and thus greater insulation)

6. Advantages of three phase systems

The three-phase system have several advantages over the single phase:

1. It requires conductors with less cross-sectional area for a given amount of power which
leads to better coast efficiency as less material is used.
2. Two different voltages are at disposal.
3. It requires less wires as in single phased voltage system each phase need two wires,
compared to the three-phase system whereas four wires are required for three phases.
4. The three phased motors are cheaper, smaller and provide steadier output compared to
single-phased motors.