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Experiment: 4-wire network with a balanced ohmic load

We will now investigate the behaviour of a star circuit with a neutral conductor N (four-wire) and a
balanced ohmic load. In this process, we will measure the line currents as well as the phase and line
voltages with the help of the 3-channel oscilloscope and multimeter.

Assemble the circuit as illustrated below in order to first measure the line currents I1, I2 and I3 as well
as the current IN in the neutral conductor.

Open the virtual instrument Three-channel oscilloscope via the menu path Instruments |
Three-phase measuring device | Oscilloscope or by clicking on the image below, and perform
the settings indicated in the adjacent table.
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3-channel oscilloscope settings

Time base
2 ms
(TIME/DIV):

Trigger: A (rising edge)

Channel-
CH CH CH
specific
A B C
settings:

Amplitude 200 200 200

(VOLTS/DIV): mV mV mV

ON x x x

Open the virtual instrument Three-phase power supply via the menu path Instruments | Power
supplies | Three-phase supply or by clicking on the image below, perform the settings
indicated in the adjacent table, and turn on the instrument.

3-phase power supply settings

Frequency: 50 Hz

Amplitude: 7.5 V

Using the mouse, drag the obtained oscillogram to the chart placeholder provided below.
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:
2ms

:
200mv

:
200mv

:
200mv

What is the phase shift between the neighbouring line currents in each case?

0°
30°
60°
Correct.
90°
120°
150°
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What can be said about the line currents' amplitudes?

All three line currents have different amplitudes.

All three line currents have the same amplitude.
Line current I1 has the largest amplitude; I2 and I3 have
identical amplitudes.
Correct.
Line current I1 has the smallest amplitude; I2 and I3 have
identical amplitudes.
Line current I2 has the largest amplitude; I1 and I3 have
identical amplitudes.

Close the oscilloscope. Open the virtual instrument Three-phase multimeter via the menu path
Instruments | Three-phase measuring device | Multimeter or by clicking on the image below,
and perform the settings indicated in the adjacent table.

3-phase multimeter
settings

MEASURE: CURRENT

MODE: RMS

RANGE: 100 mA

Open the virtual instrument Ammeter A via the menu path Instruments | Measuring devices |
Ammeter A or by clicking on the image below, and perform the settings indicated in the
adjacent table.

Ammeter A settings

Measuring range: 100 mA, AC

Mode: RMS

Shunt: 10 W
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Measure the neutral conductor's current IN as well as the line currents I1, I2 and I3.

Enter the results in the fields provided below.

I1: 32.9 I2: 33.9 I3: 33.1

Line currents:
mA mA mA

IN: 1
Neutral conductor's current:
mA

Modify the experiment setup as shown in the next animation to be able to simultaneously measure
the phase voltage V1N and line voltage V12.

Close the three-phase multimeter and ammeter. Open the virtual instrument Voltmeter A via
the menu path Instruments | Measuring devices | Voltmeter A or by clicking on the image
below, and perform the settings indicated in the adjacent table.
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Voltmeter A settings

Display mode: Digital

Measuring range: 20 V, AC

Measuring mode: RMS

Open the virtual instrument Voltmeter B via the menu path Instruments | Measuring devices |
Voltmeter B or by clicking on the image below, and perform the settings indicated in the
adjacent table.

Voltmeter B settings

Display mode: Digital

Measuring range: 20 V, AC

Measuring mode: RMS

Measure the phase voltage V1N and line voltage V12. After that, modify the experiment setup to
be able to respectively measure the remaining phase and line voltages.

Enter the results in the fields provided below.

V1N: V2N: V3N:

Phase voltages:
7.4 V 7.5 V 7.4 V
Correct.
V12: V23: V31:
Line voltages:
12.8 V 12.9 V 13.0 V
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Interrupt the neutral conductor by removing bridge B8, and measure the phase and line
voltages once again. What effect does the interruption have on the voltages?

All voltages rise.

All voltages drop.
The phase voltages rise, the line voltages drop. Correct.
The line voltages rise, the phase voltages drop
 Nothing changes.