To see how this works, imagine a three-phase set of voltage sources 4A, YB, and LC supplying three single-phase transformers each connected to identical single- phase non-linear loads as shown below: Non- linear Lead (TYP) To make this simple, each non-linear load will only contain the 1st and 3rd harmonic components of current such that the primary side line currents will be ig() = Iycos(wt) + Iycos(3at) ip() = I\cos(eat — 120°) + Fzcos[3(wt — 120°)] ic(t) = Iycos(wt + 120°) + I3cos[3(wt + 120°)]Note that the 3rd harmonic components in each equation are equal since 3(=120°) = 3(4120°) = 360° = 0° | This results in iA = T1cos(wt) + IzcosBat) ig(t) = Tycos(wt — 120°) + I3cos3at) ic(t) = Iycos(ct + 120°) + Iscos(et) Now, without changing the loads, we reconnect the transformers with a primary side DELTA connection: ta Non-linear (re) “53€])° Te The primary currents /A, 4B and /C will remain the same since each transformer is still connected to the same set of terminals of the three-phase voltage sources.What happens to the line current? Let's take a look at the line current !AL in phase-A. By summing the currents at the upper connection node, we can write ian = ia — ic = V3cos(wt — 30°) Note that the 3rd harmonic component of current is cancelled out in the summation and that the line current only contains the 1st harmonic (or fundamental) component of current. No 3rd harmonics flow in the line current! Since the 3rd harmonic current in each phase is equal in magnitude and phase angle, it circulates in the DELTA connection as shown in RED. Hence, the delta connection forms a trap for 3rd harmonics in a balanced 3-phase system. It should be apparent from this example that perfect cancellation only occurs when each phase has equal magnitudes of 3rd harmonic current. If these magnitudes are not equal, then there will be a component of 3rd harmonic which flows in the line. If we take this to the extreme case and only connect one non-linear load, then all the 3rd harmonic would flow in the line and none would circulate in the DELTA. You might be knowing that the phase displacement between third harmonic phasors is 0.For Y connection the third harmonic voltages are present in each phases but between any two lines the third harmonic voltages cancel out each other. As far as third harmonic currents are concerned, for a three phase three wire system , third harmonic currents cannot flow through the lines because 3rd harmonic currents must flow through the neutral. So for Y connection, third harmonic voltages are present in each phases and tl present in each line if neutral is provided. harmonic currents are To prevent the effect of third harmonics in Y-Y transformer, either one of the winding is connected in delta or a tertiary winding is provided , connected in closed delta, which provides the path for 3rd harmonic currents and main mmf is free from 3rd harmonic.