Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
UNIT III: ANALYSING THREE PHASE AC CIRCUITS
Three Phase Balanced and Unbalanced Voltage Sources – Analysis of Three Phase 3-Wire and
4-Wire Circuits with Star and Delta Connected Loads, Balanced & Unbalanced – Phasor
Diagram of Voltages and Currents – Power and Power Factor Measurements in Three Phase
Circuits.
Single phase system has its own limitations and therefore has been replaced by
three phase systems. The three-phase system consists of two or more single phase
systems. The voltage in the three phase systems differ in phase by 120 electrical
degree.
Balanced system:
A 3-phase system is said to be balanced, If the magnitude of the 3 phase voltages
and current are equal and the phase angle between them are also equal.
Unbalanced system:
A 3-phase system is said to be unbalanced, if the magnitude of 3 phase voltages
and currents are not equal and the phase angle between them are not equal.
Advantages of three phase over single phase system:
Some of the advantages of three phase over single phase systems.
1. Three phase systems are more capable and reliable than single phase
system.
2. Parallel operation of a poly phase alternator is simple as compared to that of
a single-phase alternator.
3. Poly phase machine produces higher output than that of a single-phase
machine.
4. For the transmission of same power at same voltage, 3 phase transmission
lines require less conductor.
5. Three phase motors have uniform torque where as a single-phase motor have
a pulsating torque.
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
6. A three-phase generator is larger, more economical per mega-watt and
operates at higher efficiencies than single phase generators.
7. A three-phase system can set up a rotating magnetic field in stationary
windings. This is not possible with a single-phase supply.
8. The voltage regulation of 3 phase transmission line is better than that of 1
phase line.
Tabulate the difference between Star and delta electrical quantities.
S. No Star connection Delta connection
1 Similar ends are joined together Dissimilar ends are joined
together
2 Ep = EL/√ 3 Ep = E L
3 Ip = I L Ip = I L / √ 3
4 Star connected alternator Delta connected alternator
requires less number of turns per requires more number of turns per
phase phase
5 Neutral or the star point exists in Neutral point does not exist in the
the star connection delta connection
6 Mainly used in the power Used in the power distribution
transmission networks networks.
7 In star connection each winding In delta connection each winding
receives 230 volts receives 414 volts.
8 Insulation required is low Insulation required is high
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
9 Both 3 phases 4 wire and three Three phase four wire system can
phase 3 wire system can be be derived from the delta
derived in star connection. connection
10 The speed of the star connected The speed of the delta connected
motors is slow as they receive 1/ motors is high because each
√ 3 of the voltage phase gets the total of the line
voltage.
Compare single with three phase power system.
S.No Single phase system Three phase systems
1 The power supply through one The power supply through three
conductor conductors
2 It requires two wires for It requires four wires for
completing the circuit completing the circuit
3 It carries 230 V It carries 415 V
4 Minimum power transfer Maximum power transfer
capability capability
5 Network is simple Network is complicated
6 Power failure occurs Power failure do not occur
7 Loss is maximum Loss is minimum
8 Efficiency is less Efficiency is more
9 Less economical More economical
10 Used for home appliances Used for large industries and for
running heavy loads.
Compare Two-watt meter with Three-watt meter method in 3 phase power
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
measurement:
S.No Two wattmeter methods Three wattmeter methods
1 A two wattmeter is basically used When 4-wire system is used, 3-
for balanced/unbalanced loading wattmeter method is used to
when 3-wire system is used. measure the power
2 The two-wattmeter method only The three- wattmeter method
measures total power measures both power and power
factor.
3 The two-wattmeter method is The three-wattmeter method is
less accurate more accurate and can be used
for load balancing lowering
neutral current.
4 Only two- wattmeter are Three- wattmeter are required to
sufficient to measure total 3 measure total 3 phase power.
phase power.
5 If the load is balanced not only Determine power and power
the power but power factor also factor even though the load is
can be determined. unbalanced.
6 Cost is less Cost is more
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
Basic Electrical Engineering Lecture Notes
