UNIT- II

Phase Sequence:

Phase sequence refers to the relation between voltages (or currents, as well) in a three-phase system. The
common representation of this relation is in terms of a phasor diagram, as below

The phasor diagram represents the phasor (or vector) relation of the three phase-ground voltages (for
simplicity, in a balanced system). The diagram is based on counter- clockwise rotation.
In a three phase system the voltage or current sinusoid attain peak values periodically one after another.
The sinusoids are displaced 120 degrees from each other. So also phasors representing the three sinusoids
for voltage or current waves of three lines are phase displaced by 120 degrees.
The order in which the three phase voltages attain their positive peak values is known as the phase
sequence. Conventionally the three phases are designated as red-R, yellow-Y and blue-B phases.
The phase sequence is said to be RYB if R attains its peak or maximum value first with respect to the

reference as shown in the counter clockwise direction followed by Y phase 120° later and B phase 240°
later than the R phase.
The phase sequence is said to be RBY if R is followed by B phase120° later and Y phase 240° later than
the R phase. By convention RYB is considered as positive while the sequence RBY as negative.
The phase sequence of the voltages applied to a load is determined by the order in which the 3 phase
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lines are connected. The phase sequence can be reversed by interchanging any one pair of lines without
causing any change in the supply sequence. Reversal of sequence results in reversal of the direction of
rotation in case of induction motor.
Phase sequence is critical in measurements on power systems, and for protective relaying, but perhaps
most importantly, for rotating machines (so machines do not run backwards). Modern microprocessor
protective relays have a selectable phase-sequence setting (often called the phase-rotation setting), so the
relay adapts to the phase sequence without ordinarily requiring changes to the wiring connections. In the
historic electromechanical relays (and meters), the wiring connections had to reflect the phase sequence
to enable accurate measurements and protection.

Inter connection of phases:

The three phases can be inter connected either in star (Y)or in delta (∆).These connections result in a
compact and a relatively economical system as the number of conductors gets reduced by 33% for a three
phase 4 - wire star system and by 50% for 3phase 3 - wire star or delta systems when compared to
independent connection of phases.
Star connection:

In the Star Connection, the similar ends (either start or finish) of the three windings are connected to a
common point called star or neutral point. The three line conductors run from the remaining three free
terminals called line conductors. The wires are carried to the external circuit, giving three phase, three
wire star connected systems. However, sometimes a fourth wire is carried from the star point to the
external circuit, called neutral wire, forming three phase, four wire star connected systems.
The star connection is shown in the diagram below.

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Considering the above figure, the finish terminals a2, b2, and c2 of the three windings are connected to
form a star or neutral point. The three conductors named as R, Y and B run from the remaining three free
terminals as shown in the above figure.
The current flowing through each phase is called Phase current Iph, and the current flowing through
each line conductor is called Line Current IL. Similarly, the voltage across each phase is called Phase
Voltage Eph, and the voltage across two line conductors is known as the Line Voltage EL.

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