What is a Phase Sequence & Its

Significance
In a three-phase power system, the order in which each phase voltages
attain a positive peak value is called phase sequence. The phase sequence
is also known as phase rotation.  if the order of phase sequence in 3 phase
system is denoted as RYB, then the R phase attains its positive peak value
first, after 120 degrees the Y phase attains its positive peak value, and after
120 degrees B phase attains its positive peak value. 

In the above-given waveform, the phase sequence or phase rotation is RYB.

R,Y, and B phase attains positive peak value after 90, 210, 310 degrees
respectively.

Positive Sequence
The other order sequence is YBR and BRY. In the above-shown waveform,
the order of attaining maximum voltage is RYB, YBR, and BRY. This order
of attaining maximum voltage shows a Positive phase sequence which
rotates in a clockwise direction.
Negative Sequence

The order of attaining peak positive voltage is RBY. The other order of
attaining peak positive voltage is BYR and YRB. In the above-shown
waveform, the order of attaining maximum voltage is  RBY, BYR, and
YRB and it shows Negative phase sequence or Negative phase rotation
which rotates in the anti-clockwise direction. The below figure shows the
negative phase rotation. 
Importance of Phase Sequence
The phase sequence is essential because of the following reasons.

1. The positive phase sequence is RYB, YBR, BRY rotates in the clockwise
direction. If the stator of the motor receives a three-phase supply in
the above-said phase sequence, then the motor rotates in the same
direction for the three sets of order RYB, YBR and BRY. The RBY, BYR,
YRB rotates clockwise and the motor will rotate in the opposite
direction if feed the supply of anti-clockwise sequence voltage.

2. The parallel operation of the transformers if both transformers have

the same vector group. It means the phase rotation of both the
 transformer is the same. Both the transformer’s phase rotations
should be RYB or YBR or BRY.

3. The parallel operation of the generators is possible when the

generated voltages of both the generator have the same phase
rotation. Both the generators’ phase rotations should be RYB or YBR
or BRY.
4. When two power sources need to operate in parallel, the phase
rotation of both the sources should be the same. The synchronizing
check relay permits if the phase rotation, frequency and voltage of
the two power sources are the same. Here phase rotation of both the
sources should be RYB or YBR or BRY. One source phase rotation is
RYB and another source phase rotation is YBR means both the phase
rotation is clockwise. But,  we should not synchronize the power
sources in this case. 
The phase sequence indicator is very useful for knowing the phase rotation,
whether it has positive phase rotation or negative phase rotation.

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