ELEC 331

FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICAL POWER

ENGINEERING

LABORATORY MANUAL

EXPERIMENT 1
POWER MEASUREMENT IN THREE-PHASE
CIRCUITS

I. OBJECTIVES

There are three objectives to this experiment:

- To study the relationship between voltages and currents in three-phase wye and delta
connected circuits;

- To measure power in three-phase circuits using the two-wattmeter method;

- To become familiar with the principle of power factor correction.

II. INTRODUCTION

A three-phase circuit is usually connected in either delta or wye configuration. Power in a

three-phase circuit is usually measured using two wattmeters – the dual wattmeter
method. At power factors less than 0.5, one of the instruments has a negative reading. When

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a reading is negative, it is necessary to reverse the voltage or current connection in order
to obtain an upscale deflection (with the Lab-Volt dual three-phase wattmeter, used in this
experiment, the reversal is done with a toggle switch). Remember that all voltage and
current quantities are line-to- line and line quantities, unless otherwise specified. Note that
in Fig. 1-4 the voltage and current isolators E1 and I1 are combined to form a single
wattmeter in a two wattmeter system. Similarly, E2 and I2 form the second wattmeter.

When the source and load are both balanced, expressions for the dual wattmeter readings
are:

P1  Vab I a cos(angle between Vab and I a )

or
 VL I L cos(30  )

P2  Vcb Ic cos(angle between Vcb and Ic )

or
 VL I L cos(30  )

where  is the load angle and total power is the sum of P1 and P2.

When the power factor is less than unity, a current that is greater than the minimum is
required to transmit a given active power, resulting higher transmission losses and loading
of transformers. There are means to minimize these losses. For inductive loads, for
example, the most common solution is to install capacitor banks in parallel with the loads.
Strategies that improve the power factor of electrical circuits are classed as power factor
correction (PFC) techniques.

Three-phase ac circuits, transformers, ac machines and their per-phase equivalent circuits

can be described by phasor diagrams. Figure 1-1 shows a wye-connected 3-phase source
that is connected to a wye-connected load. In this case, the voltage sources and the load
elements are assumed to be equal, hence the system is said to be balanced. The phase load-
angle, , is the same for each load.

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Figure 1-2 shows the phasor diagram that corresponds to the 3-phase system given in Fig.
1-1. The per-phase equivalent circuit is also shown as it would appear on an oscilloscope
display. Note that the voltage Van is taken as the reference for the single-phase equivalent
circuit.

Figure 1-1. A 3-phase wye connected source and load.

150o
Vab

t (ms)
Ib

Vbn
(b) Oscilloscope representation of 1-phase
equivalent wye connected circuit (with
-120o
lagging PF).
(a) Phasor diagram of 3-phase wye system.

Figure 1-2. Phasor diagram of 3-phase system and the voltage and current waveforms of
a single phase (lagging PF, 60 Hz).

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 Figure 1-3. The wye and delta connected loads.

Wye to Delta Transformation.

The transformation of a load from the wye configuration (Y) to the delta connection (Δ)
can be done on the basis of equal per-phase power capacity. Assume that the line-line
voltages (Vab, Vbc, Vca) in Fig. 1-3 are the same for each circuit. Starting with the wye
circuit the power in each phase is

By equating the power-per-phase in each circuit, PϕY = PϕΔ , the equivalent impedance of
the delta circuit can be found from

By comparing the values of the impedances, ZϕY and ZϕΔ, the transformation ratio can be
found.

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 Neutral Current in an Unbalanced Load.
The three-phase circuits used in this laboratory are assumed to be balanced. However, in
reality, three-phase sources and loads are often unbalanced (unequal). In the wye connected
systems this imbalance can be measured by observing the neutral current, In. (Fig. 1-1, Fig.
1-4). The value of the In is given by
𝐼𝑛 = 𝐼∅𝑎 + 𝐼∅𝑏 + 𝐼∅𝑐
Where for a balanced system,

𝐼∅𝑎 = 𝐼 cos(−𝜃) + 𝑗 sin(−𝜃)

𝐼∅𝑏 = 𝐼 cos(−𝜃 − 120°) + 𝑗 sin(−𝜃 − 120°)
𝐼∅𝑐 = 𝐼 cos(−𝜃 − 240°) + 𝑗 sin(−𝜃 − 240°)
Note that when the load impedance is resistive the phase angle is zero and an open circuit
carries no current (I = 0).

Power-Factor Correction
When the power factor (PF) of a given resistive-inductive (RL) load must be corrected to
near-unity, the impedance of the parallel-connected capacitor (XC, Ohms) can be found
from the load current. Assuming that the values of the load resistance, R, the load
inductance, XL, the load voltage, Vload and the load current, Iload, are known then XC can
be found in four steps. 1) Find the load angle  where  = Tan -1 (XL/R). 2) Identify the
known load current. 3) Find the imaginary component of the load current where IQ =
Iload*Sin . 4) The value of the capacitive impedance, XC, in Ohms, is given by XC =
Vload/IQ.

Refer to: 1) Chapman, Stephen J., Electric Machinery Fundamentals, New York,
McGraw Hill, Appendix A. (Examples A-1 and A-2).

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III. PRE-LAB

Please refer to the Prelab posted on the course Moodle and submit it before the lab
session.

The following information can be useful when answering the Questions of section V. of
this lab manual for the lab report. It is not necessary to make any calculation for the
Prelab.

The power factor can be found from cos(φ), where φ is the load angle.

The total power can be found from P1 and P2 readings (P1+P2) and by the direct
method (Pphase = 1.73 VI cosφ). For Part 1 of the experiment, the loads are wye-
connected to a three-phase line-to-line power supply.

For the 300 Ohms cases:

- Each resistive load element is rated at 120 V, 0.4A;

- Each capacitor load element is rated at 120 V, 0.4A;
- Each inductor load element is rated at 120 V, 0.4A;

For the resistive-inductive load case:

- Each load element is rated at 120 V, 0.4 A with 0.5 power

factor lagging.

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 Warning:
High voltages are present in this experiment!
DO NOT make any connection while the power is on.

IV. PROCEDURE

The data to be collected for each step in this experiment is taken from the meters shown in
each circuit. In Fig. 1-4, for example, the rectangular boxes with upper-case letters refer to
voltmeters and ammeters located on the Lab-Volt Data Acquisition and Control Interface
(LVDAC). Text boxes with lowercase letters refer to voltage and current isolators located
on the Lab-Volt test-bench. These isolators are usually connected to the oscilloscope.
Circular text icons refer to analog voltmeters and ammeters located on the test-bench. The
label, DMM, refers to a digital multimeter. Normally all data can be recorded and
transferred to the PC using the data table in the Lab-Volt software. From the Lab-Volt table
the test results should be transferred immediately to an Excel spreadsheet for calculation
and plotting of the results. If communication with the LVDAC is interrupted the Lab-Volt
data table on the PC may freeze and the results can be lost. All the details of the
bench operation are in the document Lab Equipment Description found on the course
Moodle. All Data shown in the data tables should be recorded. The Lab-Volt
meters can be recorded in the Lab-Volt data table but should be copied and pasted
to an EXCEL sheet immediately. Other data can be entered in the EXCEL sheet
manually.

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Part 1 - Wye Connected Load

1. Power on the Lab-Volt Data Acquisition and Control Interface (LVDAC), then open
the LVDAC-EMS software. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. 1-4 with the resistive
load unit in a wye configuration by first connecting the series path (current path)
only. DO NOT connect any voltage measurement device (E1, E2, E3, E4 and i) yet.
The numbers 4, 5, 6 on the left in Fig. 1-4 correspond to the Lab-Volt voltage source
connections.

Note: To satisfy the 2-wattmeter method, the polarity of E2 must be the reversed (Vcb
not Vbc) as shown in Fig. 1-4.

2. Have your instructor check the circuit first, then connect the voltage
measurements upon verification.

Figure 1-4 The Lab-Volt experimental circuit.

3. Refer to Table 1 and make sure all the measurements needed are set in the LVDAC-
EMS Measure display. Prepare to copy your values to Excel at each set of readings.

4. Set the resistance of each resistive load section to 300 .

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5. Adjust the LeCroy oscilloscope with the following settings:

1) On each channel (C1, C2) set the Noise Filter to +2.5 bits.

2) On C1, C2 set the Bandwidth to 20 MHz

3) On C1 and C2 set the Coupling to DC1MΩ. For Channel 1 use the Measure button
(lower left-hand corner) invoke the Phase function for C1, C2. On C1 and C2 use the
Measure button to start the RMS function.

4) For C1, C2 use the Label utility to identify each trace. Finally, from the main display
invoke the Timebase panel to adjust the display to a minimum of 3 cycles and the Real
Time Memory to 10KS.

6. Turn on the power supply and observe the ac ammeter module, to make sure there is no
short circuit. Slowly adjust the line voltage to 208 Vac, as indicated by the voltmeter.
Follow Table 1, to take all the required readings. Make sure to also print the
oscilloscope waveform.

Note: The phase angle can also be seen using the LVDAC phasor-analyzer on the PC.

7. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

8. Connect a DMM at the neutral of the resistive load.

9. Open the resistance of section C of the resistive load.

10. Slowly adjust the line voltage to 208 Vac as indicated by the voltmeter E1. Measure
the neutral current on the DMM to record the value. Record the values in Table 1
including E3, I3, E4, I4 and the angles between them (load angles of phase a and b).

11. Turn the voltage down to zero and turn off the power supply.

12. Set the load on all 3 phases to 200  (parallel the 300  and 600  resistors for each
load section).

13. Turn on the power supply and observe the ammeter to make sure there is no short
circuit. Slowly adjust the line voltage to 120 Vac as indicated by the voltmeter E1.
Record all measurements as before in Excel (Table 1).

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14. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

15. Replace the resistive load of Fig. 1-4 with the capacitor load. Set the capacitance of
each section to 4.4 F and the line voltage to 208 Vac. Repeat the measurements. Print
the oscilloscope waveform.

16. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

17. Replace the resistive load of Fig. 1-4 with the inductor load. Set inductance of each
section to 0.46 H (3.2 H || 1.6 H || 0.8 H) and the line voltage to 208 Vac. Repeat the
measurements and print the oscilloscope waveform.

18. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

19. Replace the resistive load of Fig. 1-4 with the resistive-inductive load composed of R

= 300  and L = 0.46 H (3.2 H || 1.6 H || 0.8 H) connected in series, and the line voltage
to 208 Vac. Repeat the measurements. Print the waveforms that are observed on the
oscilloscope. All the phase angles can also be seen using the LVDAM phasor- analyzer
on the PC. Print these diagrams in phase related groups (E1 and I1, E2 and I2, E3 and
I3). Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

20. Connect a capacitor of 4.4 F in parallel across each phase of the RL series-load as
shown in Fig. 1-5. Take all the required measurements. Print the waveforms that are
observed on the oscilloscope. All the phase angles can also be seen using the LVDAM
phasor- analyzer on the PC. Print these diagrams in phase related groups (E1 and I1,
E2 and I2, E3 and I3). Record all values. Return the voltage to zero, turn off the power
supply.

To DAQ Ia 2.5Aac Note: W2 To DAQ Osc

I1
4, 6 are reversed I3 i
in diagram. E3 To DAQ
L
E1 Ia O
0-208V A
To DAQ W1 W2 Van
250Vac 12 3 654
To
Osc.
Vbn
Ib Vcn
To DAQ Vab
0-208V E2
To DAQ Ib
bc
Ic
Vca + c
I2
Ic

Figure 1-5. The power-factor correction circuit.

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Part 2 – Delta Connected Load

1. Connect the Delta circuit as shown in Fig. 1-6 with the resistive load unit connected in
delta, and have your instructor check the circuit. Make sure to note the high and low
sides of the load elements and the meters.

Figure 1-6. The Delta connected circuit.

2. Set the resistance of each section to 600 .

3. Turn on the power supply and adjust the line voltage to obtain the same phase (and
line) voltage as the line voltage in Step 4 of Part 1 where the load is connected in
wye (The value of E1 in Fig. 1-6, should be the same as E3 in Fig. 1-4, i.e. 120 Vac).

4. Refer to Table 2 and record all the measurements in Excel.

5. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

6. Reconnect the circuit of Fig. 1-6 so that all the instruments that can measure load-angle
can indicate the same value. Record the necessary output waveforms and instrument
data.

7. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

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V. QUESTIONS

1. Derive the transformation that will change a wye-connected circuit to a delta-

connected circuit as shown in the introduction to this experiment. Assume that each
circuit has an equivalent power rating and a three-phase balanced load. Using this
transformation, calculate the equivalent delta connected R, C and L, load- components
for the wye-connected circuits (and corresponding measurements) (i.e. transform the
Wye connected power-factor correction circuit of Fig. 1-5 into a delta power-factor
correction circuit similar to Fig. 1-6). Make sure all units (Ohms, Farads, and Henries)
are indicated.

Hint: do the initial calculation in terms of Ohms (XC and XL at 60 Hz). Include a hand-
drawn (freehand) sketch of the 2 circuits in your report. In the drawings include the
load-side voltage and current measurement devices shown in Figs. 1-5 and 1-6.

2. Calculate the theoretical power and power factors (PF) for the resistive - inductive load
of the first part of the experiment. Refer to the equations and information provided in
the introduction and in the Pre-lab section of this lab manual. Put the theoretical and
the experimental values in a table for comparison. The experimental values include: 1)
the analog dual-wattmeters, the 2-wattmeters readings (Lab-Volt DAQ), 3) the single-
phase readings (Lab-Volt DAQ).

How well (%) do the experimental readings from the Lab-Volt equipment
compare with theoretical calculation of power and power factor based on the 2-
wattmeter method? Sketch the 3-phase phasor diagram that corresponds to the circuit
of the resistive-inductive load (Fig. 1-4). A freehand drawing is acceptable. Indicate
the angles of the phasors used for the 2-Wattmeter method. Include a sample
calculation for each table entry.

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3. Does the value of the neutral current measured in Step 8 to 10 satisfy the equations
given in the Introduction of this lab?

4. For the R, C and L loads of part 1, calculate the theoretical value of the power and
power factor for each circuit based on the specified phase voltage given in the
procedure and the specified impedance and its angle. Do a second calculation of the
power factor of each circuit using the observed load-angle values the taken from the
oscilloscope and the Lab-Volt phasor analyzer. For each of the 3 circuits put the
power-factor values in a table. For each circuit, which of the experimentally-derived
values, oscilloscope or phasor, differs the most (percentage) from the theoretical
value? Include sample calculations.

5. Comment on the power factor variation for the RL and the RLC loads. Which circuit
transfers the most power for the least amount of current? Calculate the exact capacitor
value that would yield unity power factor for the circuit of Fig. 1-5. Show your
calculations. Why is unity power factor desirable?

6. Calculate the theoretical value of the power in each phase (resistive load) and the
theoretical value of the total power consumed by the load for the Delta connected load
(Part 2, Fig.1-6). Do these values agree with your experimental data? Does the ratio of
the loads for the 200  wye connected load and the loads in the delta circuit support
the derivation in Question 1? Is the assumption of an equal power dissipation per-phase
valid?

Sketch the phasor diagram of the 3-phase delta connected system. Show Vline, Iline,
Vphase, Iphase and the associated angles and magnitudes. Indicate the phasors used in the
2-wattmeter method. A freehand drawing is acceptable.

7. Explain how you changed the circuit in Part 2 (Step 6). Include a hand-drawn diagram
of the new circuit.

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 ELEC 331, Data Tables for Experiment 1

Table 1: Data for Part 1 - Wye Connected Load (* print-out of graphical display or oscilloscope trace is required)
Part 1 R XL XC W1 W2 Vph Iph Ineutral P3, ph ph Vab Ia  Vcb c  P1, P2, PF
() () () (W) (W) (V) (A) (A) Q Lab- Osc. (V) (A) Vab, (V) (A) Vcb, S1 S2 (E3,
3,S3 Volt (deg Ia Ic ref (W, (W, I3)
E3 I3 DMM (W, Phaso or E1 I1 ref E2 I2 VA) VA)
Vab
Var, r (deg rad) Vab E1
VA) or E1
rad)
Step 0 0 * 208 * *
4 300

Step 300 0 0 E3 I3 * Vbn, Ib,  P4,

9 ph A, B E4 I4 Vbn, S4
Open 1 Ib (W,
ph C ref VA)
Vbn
E4

Step 0 0 N/A * 120

12 300||
600
3-ph

Step 0 0 600 N/A * 208

15

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Part 1 R XL XC W1 W2 Vph Iph Ineutral P3, ph ph Vab Ia  Vcb c  P1, P2, PF
(cont.) () () () (W) (W) (V) (A) (A) Q Lab- Oscillo- (V) (A) Vab, (V) (A) Vcb, S1 S2 (E3,
3,S3 Volt scope Ia Ic (W, (W, I3)
E3 I3 (W, Phaso (deg or E1 I1 ref E2 I2 ref VA) VA)
Var, r (deg rad) Vab Vab
VA) or E1 E1
rad)

Step 17 300|| 0 N/A *

0 600||
1200

Step 19 300|| 0 N/A * * * *

600||
300 1200

Step 300|| 600 N/A *

20 600||
1200
300

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 Table 2: Data for Part 2- Delta Connected Load (* print-out of graphical display is required) I ph is same as 300 Ω load above

Part 2 R XL XC W1 W2 Vph Iph P3, Q3, ph e-Vab,i-Ia Vab Ia  Vcb c  P1, P2, PF
() () () (W) (W) (V) (A) S3 (W, Lab-Volt Oscillo- (V) (A) Vab, (V) (A) Vcb, S1 S2 (E3,
Var, Phasor scope Ia Ic (W, (W, I3)
E3 I3 VA) (deg or E1 I1 ref E2 I2 ref VA) VA)
(deg or
rad) rad) Vab Vab

Step 0 0 * * 120 * *
2 600

Step 0 0 120
6 600

E3, I3 are phase parameters. E1, I1, E2, I2 are the line (line-to-line) parameters: Vab, Ia, Vcb and Ic. E2 is oriented to support the 2-
Wattmeter method. All numerical data should be recorded in a LabVolt data table and then copied to Excel.

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