3-phase electrical systems

When is a 3-phase system required?

• When the load (current levels) is too much for a 1-phase system
to handle
• When there are large motors: large ac motors are always 3-phase
• EV charging

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

A 3-phase power source:
A 3-phase sources such as power generators produce 3 phase voltages
of equal rms magnitude but with phase shift of 120° between them.

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

Balanced 3-Phase Voltage Phasor Diagram
R |𝑉𝑅𝑌 | = 2 × |𝑉𝑅𝑁 | cos 30° = √3 |𝑉𝑅𝑁 |

𝑉𝑅𝑁
𝑉𝐵𝑅 𝑉𝑅𝑌

120° 120°

N
𝑉𝐵𝑁 𝑉𝑌𝑁

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

 𝑉𝑌𝐵 Y
B

𝑉𝑅𝑁 , 𝑉𝑌𝑁 , 𝑉𝐵𝑁 are called phase voltages.

• Phase voltage is the voltage between a phase wire and the
neutral.
𝑉𝑅𝑌 , 𝑉𝑌𝐵 , 𝑉𝐵𝑅 are called line-to-line or simply line voltages.
• Line-to-line voltage is the voltage between any two phase wires.
• Using phasor diagram, show that the angle between line voltages
is also 120°.
• Line voltage is √3 times the phase voltage
Proof:
|𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞| = √𝟑 |𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞|
Remark:
In 3-phase systems, we always mention the line-to-line voltage.
Eg. 11kV/400V 3-phase transformer.
Primary side line-to-line voltage is 11,000 V
Secondary side line-to-line voltage is 400 V
400
Secondary side phase voltage is = = 230.94𝑉
√3

• In Sri Lanka low voltage systems (eg. In the households), the

nominal phase voltage is 230 V and the nominal line voltage
is 400 V.
Eg. In Japan nominal phase voltage in low voltage systems is 110 V.
What is the line voltage in a low voltage 3-phase system?

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

Ans.
Line voltage = √3 × 110 = 190.5 V
3-phase circuit analysis
1. 3-Phase Balanced Systems
3-phase 4-wire system with a 3-phase balanced source and star (Y)
connected load. Source phase voltage is 𝐸 and per phase load
impedances are 𝑧𝑅 , 𝑧𝑌 , 𝑧𝐵 .

A 3-phase 4-wire system has 3 phase wires and a neutral wire.

𝑹 𝐼𝑅

𝑉𝑅𝑁
𝑍𝑅

𝐼𝑁 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵

𝑉𝐵𝑁
𝑍𝐵 𝑍𝑌
𝑵
𝑩 𝒀

𝑉𝑌𝑁

𝐼𝐵
𝐼𝑌

Let the source phase voltages be

𝑉𝑅𝑁 = 𝐸∠0°, 𝑉𝑌𝑁 = 𝐸∠ − 120°, 𝑉𝐵𝑁 = 𝐸∠120°
Let the line currents be 𝐼𝑅 , 𝐼𝑌 , 𝐼𝐵 .
The line currents are

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

 𝐸∠0°
𝐼𝑅 =
𝑧𝑅
𝐸∠ − 120°
𝐼𝑌 =
𝑧𝑌
𝐸∠120°
𝐼𝐵 =
𝑧𝐵
From Kirchhoff’s current law (KCL), the neutral current is given by
𝐼𝑁 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵
𝐸∠0° 𝐸∠ − 120° 𝐸∠120°
𝐼𝑁 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 = + +
𝑧𝑅 𝑧𝑌 𝑧𝐵
𝐸∠0° 𝐸∠ − 120° 𝐸∠120°
= 𝐸[ + + ]
𝑧𝑅 𝑧𝑌 𝑧𝐵
If the load is also balanced, then 𝑧𝑅 = 𝑧𝑌 = 𝑧𝐵 = 𝑧. Now, the neutral
current becomes
𝐸 𝐸
𝐼𝑁 = [1∠0° + 1∠ − 120° + 1∠120°] = [0] = 0
𝑧 𝑧
• If the source and the load are balanced in a 3-phase 4-wire
system, current in the neutral wire will be zero. Therefore, the
voltage everywhere in the neutral wire will be equal and zero
(ground voltage).
• This is very important because the neutral wire also has an
impedance, if the current is non-zero, there will be a voltage in
the neutral. However, this is unacceptable. We need the voltage
in the neutral to be zero all along the neutral wire or equal to
earth voltage.
Ex. In a 3-phase 4-wire system, a 3-phase balanced source is supplying a
balanced Y connected load. The neutral wire impedance cannot be
negligible. Show that the 3-phase system is still balanced and the
neutral current is still zero.

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

Let the per-phase load impedance and the impedance of the neutral
wire be 𝑧 and 𝑧𝑁 , respectively.
𝑹 𝐼𝑅

𝑉𝑅𝑁
𝑍𝑅

𝐼𝑁 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵

𝑉𝐵𝑁
𝑍𝑁 𝑍𝐵 𝑍𝑌
𝑵
𝑩 𝒀

𝑉𝑌𝑁
𝐼𝐵
𝐼𝑌

By writing KVL to the phase-R loop, we get

𝐸∠0° = 𝑧𝐼𝑅 + 𝑧𝑁 (𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 ) (1)
By writing KVL to the phase-Y loop, we get
𝐸∠ − 120° = 𝑧𝐼𝑌 + 𝑧𝑁 (𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 ) (2)
By writing KVL to the phase-B loop, we get
𝐸∠120° = 𝑧𝐼𝐵 + 𝑧𝑁 (𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 ) (3)
(1)+(2)+(3) gives
𝐸∠0° + 𝐸∠ − 120° + 𝐸∠120° = 𝑧(𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 ) + 3𝑧𝑁 (𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 )
𝐸 [1∠0° + 1∠ − 120° + 1∠120°] = [𝑧 + 3𝑧𝑁 ](𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 )
0 = [𝑧 + 3𝑧𝑁 ](𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 )
0 = [𝑧 + 3𝑧𝑁 ]𝐼𝑁
𝑧 + 3𝑧𝑁 ≠ 0 𝐼𝑁 = 0

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

The 3-phase system is still balanced and the current in the neutral wire
is zero.
Ex. 400 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase source supplies a Y connected 3-phase
balanced load. The per-phase load impedance is 2 + 𝑗0.1 Ω. Lines and
the neutral wires are 500 m long and has resistance of 1 mΩ per meter.
Completely analyze this 3-phase 4-wire system.
400
The phase voltage is V.
√3
400 400 400
Let 𝑉𝑅𝑁 = ∠0°, 𝑉𝑌𝑁 = ∠ − 120°, 𝑉𝐵𝑁 = ∠120°
√3 √3 √3

The line currents are

400
∠0°
√3
𝐼𝑅 = = 92.3∠ − 2.29°
0.5 + 2 + 𝑗0.1
400
∠ − 120°
√3
𝐼𝑌 = = 92.3∠ − 122.29°
0.5 + 2 + 𝑗0.1
400
∠120°
3
𝐼𝐵 = √ = 92.3∠117.71°
0.5 + 2 + 𝑗0.1
a. The line currents are 92.3 A
b. Because this is a balanced 3-phase system, there is no current in
the neutral
c. Neutral point is usually grounded. If there is no current in the
neutral, the voltage at every point in the neutral will be equal to
the ground voltage.
d. Line loss per phase = 𝐼2 𝑅 = 92.32 × 0.5 = 4259.6 𝑊
Total line loss = 3 × 4259.6 𝑊
e. Power delivered by the source per phase = 𝐼𝑉 cos 𝜃
Phase R:

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

 400
92.3 × × cos(0° − (−2.29°)) = 21298.75 𝑊
√3
Phase Y:
400
92.3 × × cos(−120° − (−122.29°)) = 21298.75 𝑊
√3
Phase B:
400
92.3 × × cos(120° − (117.71°)) = 21298.75 𝑊
√3
Total power delivered by the source = 3 × 21298.75 𝑊
• There is no power loss in the neutral wire
f. Power consumed by the load per phase = Power delivered by the
source per phase – Power loss per phase = 21,298.75 – 4,259.6 =
17,039 W.
Total power consumed by the load = 3X17,039 W
g. Power transmission efficiency
Power delivered to the load
= × 100%
Power delivered by the source

Remarks:
In a 3-phase balanced system
• Power, voltages, and currents magnitudes are the same.
Hence, we can only consider a single phase and analyze a 3-
phase balanced system
• There is no current in the neutral wire. As a result
o No voltage in the neutral wire (everywhere, the
voltage will be equal to the ground voltage)
o No power loss in the neutral wire

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

Single-phase Equivalent Circuit:
• In a balanced 3-phase system, we know that the voltage and
current magnitudes, power factor, and power in each phase is the
same.
• As a result, when we analyze 3-phase balanced systems (supply is
balanced and the loads in each phase is the same), it is sufficient
to consider only a single phase.
• Per-phase equivalent circuit:
o Let the line voltage be 𝑉𝑙 and the phase voltage be 𝑉𝑝 . Then
|𝑉𝑙 |
|𝑉𝑝 | =
√3
o Line current magnitude is the same in each phase
o Per phase power is 1/3 of the 3-phase power. Here, the
power can be the source power, load power, transmission
power losses.
• Hence, the per-phase equivalent circuit is

𝑍𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝐼𝑙
𝐸 𝑉 𝑍𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑

Ex. 400 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase source supplies a Y-connected 3-phase

balanced load. The per-phase load impedance is 2 + 𝑗0.1 Ω. Lines and
the neutral wires are 500 m long and has resistance of 1 mΩ per meter.
Completely analyze this 3-phase 4-wire system.
Ans.
Because the system is balanced, we can use the per-phase equivalent
circuit.

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

 0.5 Ω 𝐼𝑙
400
∠0° 𝑉 𝑉 2 + 𝑗0.1 Ω
√3

a)
The line current
400
∠0°
𝐼𝑙 = √3 = 92.3∠ − 2.29°
0.5 + 2 + 𝑗0.1
Line current is 92.3 A.
b)
The per-phase line loss = 92.32 × 0.5 = 4259.6 𝑊
Hence, the 3-phase line loss = 3 × 4259.6 = 12,779 𝑊
c) Load voltage
𝑉 = (2 + 𝑗0.1) × 92.3∠ − 2.29° = 184.33∠0.57°
Phase voltage at the load is 184.33 V
Line voltage at the load is 184.33√3 =319.3 V
d) Line drop (voltage drop along the line)
= 0.5 × 𝐼𝑙 = 0.5 × 92.3∠ − 2.29° = 46.15∠ − 2.29° 𝑉
400
e) Source phase voltage = ∠0° 𝑉
√3

Source current = 92.3∠ − 2.29° A

Per-phase source power

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

 400
= |𝑉||𝐼| cos 𝜃 = × 92.3 × cos 2.29
√3
3-phase power = 3 X Per-phase power
f) Load voltage = 184.33∠0.57° V
Load current = 92.3∠ − 2.29° A
Per-phase load power
= |𝑉||𝐼| cos 𝜃 = 184.33 × 92.3 × cos(0.57° − (−2.29°))
3-phase power = 3 X Per-phase power
Method 2:
Load power = Source power – Transmission losses
Here, transmission losses are also called line losses.
e) Power transmission efficiency
Power delivered to the load
= × 100%
Power delivered by the source

3-Phase Power in a 3-phase balanced system:

Let
𝑉𝑝 the phase voltage
𝑉𝑙 the line voltage
𝐼𝑙 the line current
cos 𝜃 is the power factor
Now,
The per-phase power = |𝑉𝑝 ||𝐼𝑙 | cos 𝜃

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

3-phase power = 3 × (per phase power)
= 3|𝑉𝑝 ||𝐼𝑙 | cos 𝜃 = √3(√3|𝑉𝑝 |)|𝐼𝑙 | cos 𝜃
However, the line voltage
|𝑉𝑙 | = √3 |𝑉𝑝 |
Hence
3-phase power = √3|𝑉𝑙 ||𝐼𝑙 | cos 𝜃
3-phase power = √3X|Line voltage|X|Line current|Xp. f.
Remark: In 3-phase systems, usually the line quantities are always
mentioned. See for example, the nameplate of a 3-phase transformer.

Remarks:
• The above equation holds only for a 3-phase balanced system.
• If the system is unbalanced, power in each phase needs to be
found separately and sum up to get the 3-phase power.

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

Eg.
In a 3-phase balanced system, the 3-phase power, line voltage, and line
current at the load were measured to be 58.5 kW, 404 V, 102 A. What is
the load power factor?
Ans.
3-phase power = √3|𝑉𝑙 ||𝐼𝑙 | cos 𝜃
58.5 × 103 = √3 × 404 × 102 × cos 𝜃
Hence
58.5×103
The load power factor = = 0.82
√3×404×102

Ex. In this 4-wire system, if all 4 wires have a wire resistance of 0.2 Ω
each.
a) What is the line voltage at the source?
b) What is the total line loss?
c) What is the supply power?
Ans.
The per-phase equivalent circuit is

0.2Ω 𝐼𝑙 404
∠0°𝑉
𝐸 √3
p. f. = 0.82

Also given that

|𝐼𝑙 | = 102𝐴
Assume that p.f. is lagging or the load is inductive

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

 404
𝜃 ∠0°𝑉
√3

𝐼𝑙
𝜃 = cos −1 0.82 = 35.9°

Hence 𝐼𝑙 = 102∠ − 34.9° 𝐴

a)
From the 1-phase equivalent circuit, we get
404
𝐸= ∠0° + 0.2 × 102∠ − 34.9° = 250.3∠ − 2.67°
√3
Hence, the line voltage at the source is
√3 × 250.3 = 433.53 𝑉
b)
Per-phase line loss = 1022 × 0.2 = 2080.8 𝑊
There is no line loss in the neutral wire because the neutral current is
zero in a 3-phase balanced system.
Hence, the total line loss = 3 × 2080.8 = 6242.4𝑊
Total line loss is 6.24 kW.
c)
Supply power = load power + line losses = 58.5 × 103 + 6242.4 =
64742 𝑊
Supply power is 64.74 kW.
Method 2:
Supply phase voltage = 250.3∠ − 2.67° V
Supply line current = 102∠ − 34.9° A

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

Supply power per phase = 𝑉𝐼 cos 𝜃
Total power = 3 X Per-phase power
d)
58500
Power transmission efficiency = × 100% = 90.36%
64742

3-phase Unbalanced Systems

3-phase systems become unbalanced when the load distribution among
the 3 phases is unequal. We assume that the source is balanced.
𝑹 𝐼𝑅

𝑉𝑅𝑁
𝑍𝑅

𝐼𝑁 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵

𝑉𝐵𝑁
𝑍𝐵 𝑍𝑌
𝑵
𝑩 𝒀

𝑉𝑌𝑁
𝐼𝐵
𝐼𝑌

3-phase 4-wire system with a 3-phase balanced source and Y connected

unbalanced load. Source phase voltage, 𝐸, per phase load impedances
are, 𝑧𝑅 , 𝑧𝑌 , 𝑧𝐵 .
Let the line currents be 𝐼𝑅 , 𝐼𝑌 , 𝐼𝐵 .
Then the neutral current is
𝐼𝑁 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

The line currents are
𝐸∠0°
𝐼𝑅 =
𝑧𝑅
𝐸∠ − 120°
𝐼𝑌 =
𝑧𝑌
𝐸∠120°
𝐼𝐵 =
𝑧𝐵
The neutral current is
𝐸∠0° 𝐸∠ − 120° 𝐸∠120°
𝐼𝑁 = 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 = + +
𝑧𝑅 𝑧𝑌 𝑧𝐵
1∠0° 1∠ − 120° 1∠120°
= 𝐸[ + + ]≠𝟎
𝑧𝑅 𝑧𝑌 𝑧𝐵
• If at least the load is unbalanced in a 3-phase system, current in
the neutral wire will be non-zero. Therefore, the voltage at
different points in the neutral wire will be different (practically,
neutral wire may have a significant impedance).
• How serious this problem depends on the magnitude of the
current in the neutral.
• If the load unbalance is serious, the neutral current and hence the
resulting problems can be serious.
Analyzing a 3-phase unbalanced systems:
• Because the currents, voltages, p.f., and power in different phases
are different, single-phase equivalent circuits cannot be used.
• You need to take the complete system into account and write
Kirchhoff’s voltage laws for the 3 phases (including the neutral
wire) separately.
• You end up with 3 equations of 3 unknowns, 𝐼𝑅 , 𝐼𝑌 , 𝐼𝐵 . The neutral
current is 𝐼𝑅 + 𝐼𝑌 + 𝐼𝐵 .

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

Balanced and unbalanced loads in the industry:
Q1. A 45 kW centrifugal water pump is powered by a 400 V, 50 Hz, 3-
phase AC motor. Is this a balanced load?
A1. Yes
Q2. The load in Q1 is connected with a 3-phase power factor capacitor.
Is the load balanced now?
A2. Yes, because the 3-phase power factor capacitor is 3 equal
capacitors connected with each phase.
Q3. A 3-phase load is fed by a 3-phase power generator via a 3-phase
power transformer. Is this a balanced balanced 3-phase system?
A3. It depends on the load. System will be balanced if and only if the
load is balanced (3-phase generators, transformers, power factor
capacitors that meet international standards are naturally balanced).
Q4. 3-phase supply to the 3-phase transformers and 3-phase motors
usually have only 3 wires. Explain!
A4. If the system balance is guaranteed, a neutral wire is not required
anyway.
3-phase motor windings and the primary side windings of 3-phase
transformer are usually connected ∆ and not Y. For this reason, it
becomes a 3-phase 3-wire.

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa

For instance, in 11 kV/400 V, 3-phase transformers: Primary windings
are ∆ connected (3 wire input), secondary side windings are Y
connected (4-wire output).
During normal running, 3-phase AC motor windings also are ∆
connected.

ESOFT College of Engineering & Technology, Katubedda, Moratuwa