EE 102

Circuits 2

Module 8

Three-Phase Systems

by:
Cesar G. Manalo, Jr.

Objectives
Define a three-phase system.
Describe the wye and delta-type connections in threephase systems.
Solve voltages and currents in three-phase system.
Describe a single-phase three-wire system.
Solve voltages and current in single-phase three-wire
system.

Introduction
The three-phase (3-) AC generators (alternators) has
3 sets of armature windings called phase windings.
Each of the 3 windings develop exactly the same
sinusoidal voltages (same magnitude and frequency)
called phase voltage but are 120 electrical degrees
apart.

N
120 e
deg

120 e
deg

3-phase 2-pole alternator

Introduction
In most cases, the winding that produces the flux is
the one revolving and the armature winding (that
develops phase voltages) is stationary.
The 3 sets of windings can be wired together to form
either a delta() connection or a wye(Y) connection.
a
Eaa
a

a
c
Ecc
c

b E
bb

b
c

c
b
a

Introduction
Y-connected alternator
a
a
Eaa

Ecc

a
c b

Ebb

b
N

b
c

a
c
b
a

S
b

c
c

3-phase 2-pole Y-connected alternato

Introduction
Y-connected alternator
a
a
Eaa

Ecc
c

a
c b

Ebb

Introduction
Y-connected alternator
A
a

A
a

Eaa

Ecc
c

a
c b

Ea
Ebb

B
Ec
C

Eb

Y-connected alternator with

common point called neutral (n)

Line-to-line Voltage in 3-Phase Yconnected AlternatorsA

A

a
Ea
N
Ec

Eb

EAN

ECN N

EBN

EAB
B

ECA
EBC

C
3-phase alternator with the phases replaced b
Wye-connected 3-phase alternator
3 single-phase alternators

ECN

In a balanced system,
each of the three
instantaneous voltages
a,b, & c have equal
amplitudes but are
separated from the other
voltages by a phase
angle of 120o.

120o

EAN

120o

120o

EBN

Phasor diagram
of phase voltage

Line-to-line Voltage in 3-Phase Yconnected Alternators

ECN
A

EAN

a
c

-EBN

ENB

60o

EAB
B

120o

ECA

120o

EBC

120o

EBN

E AB E AN E NB E AN ( E BN )
where EAN is the phase voltage of alternator a

EAN

Line-to-line Voltage in 3-Phase Yconnected Alternators

A

EAN

a
c

ENB

-EBN
E AB

EAB
B

ECA

60o

30o

AN

)
N
B
E
(-

EAN

EBC
C

E AB E AN E NB E AN ( E BN )
E AB 3 E AN 1.73 E AN
E BC 3 E BN 1.73 EBN
ECA 3 ECN 1.73 ECN
Therefore, the line-to-line voltages of a wyeconnected alternator is 1.73 times its phase voltage.

Line-to-line Voltage in 3-Phase Yconnected Alternators

ECA

ECN

EAB
120o

a
c

EAB
b

EBC
C

120o

ECA

EAN

120o
120o
120o

120o

EBN

Phasor
diagram of
phase and line
voltages of a 3phase Yconnected
alternator

EBC
Therefore, the line-to-line voltages of a wyeconnected alternator is 1.73 times its phase voltage,
and they are 120o out of phase from each other.

Line-to-line Voltage in 3-Phase Yconnected Alternators

Illustrative Problem 11

The line-to-line voltage of a 3-phase alternator is 230 V as

measured by an AC voltmeter. What is the phase voltage if
measured by the same voltmeter if the alternator is AC
OUTPUT
connected in wye ? Write the polar form of all line-to-line
and
phase voltages.

Solution:
Let: EAB = line-to-line voltage between A & B
EAN = phase voltage of phase AN.
ECA
E AB 1.73 E AN
E AN

EC
N

E AN 132.90 V (reference )

E
230
AB
132.9 V E BN 132.9 120 V
1.73 1.73
ECN 132.9120 V
E AB 23030 V
E BC 230 90 V
ECA 230150 V

120

120o
120o
120o

EA

120o
120o

EB
N

EBC

EA
N

Line Current in 3-Phase Y-connected

Alternators
ECN Ic IC
A
IA
Ia

N
Ic

VAB

Ib

Alternator

IB

VCA
VBC

IC
C

120 o

IB
Ib

EBN

EAN

120 o

Ia
120 o

IA

Phase and line

current phasor
diagram of a
balanced-loaded 3phase alternator

The current on a line is equal to the current

through the phase to which that line is
connected. That is, IA = Ia, IB = Ib, IC = Ic.
When the external load on a 3-phase
alternator is balanced, the line and phase
currents are all 120o out of phase from each

Line-to-line Voltage in 3-Phase connected

Alternators
A
EC

EC

EB

120o

EAB
EA

ECA

ECA

EA

120o

EAB

EBC
C

-connected 3-phase alternators

120o

EB
EBC

Phasor diagram

In a -connected 3-phase alternator, there is no

neutral pt.
The phase windings are connected one after the
other forming a delta or closed loop.
The line-to-line voltages equals the phase voltages
both in magnitude and in direction because the
phases are connected directly to the lines.

Line-to-line Current in 3-Phase I

connected
Alternators
A
A

EC

IA

EC

IAB

+ ICA
-

EB

IBC

IC
A

EAB
EA

B
IB

ECA
EBC

IC
-connected 3-phase alternators

E AB E A

I A I CA I AB 3I AB

E BC E B

I B I AB I BC 3I BC

ECA EC

ECA

120o

IB

-IAB

EA

120o

EAB

IB

120o

EB

IA
B

EBC

Phasor diagram

IC

I C I BC I CA 3I CA

In a -connected balanced 3-phase alternator, the

line-currents are 1.73 times the phase currents.

Balanced 3-Phase Loads

A load is said to be balanced, if all phase impedances
are equal. A
IA

Ia

VAB

Ib

Ic

ZA

IB

VCA

IC

3-phase Y-connected
Balanced Load, ZA =
ZB = Z C

A
IA
a

c
Ic

Ib

3-phase
rectifier

VAB
B

ZB

VBC
C

Ia

ZC

IB

VCA

VBC

IC
C

ZC

ZA

ZB
3-phase -connected
balanced load, ZA = ZB
= ZC

3-phase induction
motor

Balanced 3-Phase Loads

Illustrative Problem 12
A balance 3-phase load is connected to a 3-phase alternator with
line-to-line voltage of 230 volts. Find:
a) Load phase currents
b) Load line currents
c) Phasor diagram of phase and line currents.
A
IA
Ia

N
Ic

230 V

Ib

3-phase
Alternator

IB

230 V 230
V I

Balance3-phase
load,
Z : R = 75, XL
= 50

Balanced 3-Phase Loads

A
IA
Ia

N
Ic

230 V

Ib

IB

IAB

230 V 230
V I

3-phase
Alternator

Let:
VAB = 230 30o
VBC = 230 -90o
VCA = 230 150o
Z (75) 2 (50) 2 90.14

for balance 3-phase load

230
I AB I BC I CA
2.55 A
90.14

Z
Z

IBC

ICA Balance3-phase
load,
Z : R = 75, XL
= 50

50
33.69
75

tan 1

Since Z is inductive, the load

phase currents will lag the line
voltages by 33.69o. Hence,
I AB 2.55(30 33.69) 2.55 3.69

I BC 2.55(90 33.69) 2.55 123.69

I CA 2.55(150 33.69) 2.55116.31

Balanced 3-Phase Loads

IA

I AB 2.5530 33.69 2.55 3.69

I BC 2.55(90 33.69) 2.55 123.69

IB

I CA 2.55(150 33.69) 2.55116.31

IC

IC

ICA

VAB

86.31o

33.69o

120o
30o
33.69

IAB
120o

33.69o

IA
153.69o

VBC

ICA

IBC

Balance3-phase load, Z : R =
75, XL = 50

I A I AB I CA I AB ( I CA )

I B I BC I AB I BC ( I AB )

9o

IBC

120o

33
.6

IB

Z
Z

33.69

VCA

IAB

I C I CA I BC I CA ( I BC )
I A I B IC

(equal in RMS value

but not in phase)

1.73I AB 1.73(2.55) 4.41 A

Vector calculator

Balanced 3-Phase Power

A
IA
Ia

VCA

Ib

IB

ZA

VBC

VAB
AB

Apparent power per

phase

30o

IBC

BC

VBC

S A V AB I AB

S B VBC I BC
S C VCA I CA

IAB
120o

ZB

ICA Z = Z
A
B
= ZC

IBC

C
120o

120o

ZC

VCA

IC

ICA
CA

IAB

N
Ic

VAB

Reactive power per

phase

Real power per

phase

QA VAB I AB sin AB

PA VAB I AB cos AB

QB VBC I BC sin BC

PB VBC I BC cos BC

QC VCA I CA sin CA

PC VCA I CA cos CA

Balanced 3-Phase Power

Apparent power per
phase

S A V AB I AB

S B VBC I BC

Reactive power per

phase

Real power per

phase

QA VAB I AB sin AB

PA V AB I AB cos AB

QB VBC I BC sin BC

S C VCA I CA

PB VBC I BC cos BC

QC VCA I CA sin CA

PC VCA I CA cos CA

For balanced delta-connected load:

V AB VBC VCA VP VL
I AB I BC I CA I P

IL
3

AB BC CA P
where:
VP = phase voltage
VL = line voltage
IP = phase current
IL = line current
SP = phase apparent
power
QP = phase reactive
power
PP = phase real

RMS
value
only not
the
phase

S A S B S C S P VP I P
QA QB QC QP VP I P sin P
PA PB PC PP VP I P cos P

Value only
not the
phase

Let:
QT = total reactive power taken by
load
PT = total real power taken by load
ST = total apparent power taken by
I
QT 3 VP I P sin P 3 VL L sin P 3 VL I L sin P
load

3
I
PT 3 VP I P cos P 3 VL L cos P 3 VL I L cos P
3

ST PT2 QT2 3 VL I L

Balanced 3-Phase Power

Illustrative Problem 13
Find the per phase apparent, reactive, and true power consumed
by the load as shown by the figure below.
A

IA
Ia

N
Ic

230 V

Ib

3-phase
Alternator

Solution:
VAB = VBC =VCA = VP = 230 V

IB

230 V 230
V I

Balance3-phase
load,
Z : R = 75, XL
= 50

QP VP I P sin P (230)(2.55) sin 33.69 325.33 VAR

PP VP I P cos P (230)(2.55) cos 33.69 488.0 W
S P VP I P (230)(2.55) 586.5 VA
QT 3 VP I P sin P 3 (230)(2.55) sin 33.69 975.99 VAR

I AB I BC I CA I P 2.55 A

PT 3 VP I P cos P 3 (230)(2.55) cos 33.69 1463.99 W

P 33.69

ST QT2 PT2 (563.49) 2 (845.24) 2 1,759.5 VA 1.76 KVA

Balanced 3-Phase Power

Illustrative Problem 14
A 3-phase 74.6 kW delta-connected induction motor is supplied
by a 3-phase star-connected alternator generating 1000 V
between phases. If the full load efficiency and the power factor
of the induction motor are 92 % and 0.85 respectively, calculate;
a) Current in each motor phase
b) Current in each alternator phase

Balanced 3-Phase Power

Seatwork
A 3-phase, 50 Hz, 415 V star-connected induction motor has an
output of 50 kW with an efficiency of 90 % and a power factor of
0.85. calculate the line current. If the motor windings are now
connected in delta, what would be the correct voltage of a 3phase supply suitable for the motor?

Balanced 3-Phase Power

Illustrative Problem
Two 14
3-phase balance loads are connected in parallel to a 400-V line. The first

load is delta-connected with a phase impedance of Z = 30+j40 and the second

is a star-connected purely resistive load of R = 25 ohms per phase. Find:
a) The phasor line currents IA, IB, and IC.
b) The apparent, reactive, and real power consumed by the combined load.
c) The PF of the combined load.
A
B
C

IA
IB
IC

Z
Z

R
R

Phase Sequence
Side view of armature

Perspective view of armature

Phase Sequence
Side view of armature (turned 90o)

Perspective view of armature

Phase Sequence
Side view of armature

Perspective view of armature

120 e
deg

Phase Sequence

120 e
deg

Phase Sequence

ASE SEQUENCE = ABC = BCA = CAB

Vc

Va

Vb

Phasor representation of
ABC sequence

120 e
deg

Phase Sequence

ARMATURE WINDINGS YELLOW

AND RED INTERCHANGED

ASE SEQUENCE = ACB = CBA = BAC

Vb

Va

Vc

Phasor representation of
ACB sequence

120 e
deg

Phase Sequence
A phase sequence
defines which of the
three phase voltages or
line voltages comes in
sequence.
There are only two
possible phase
sequence in three-phase
system: phase sequence
ABC or phase sequence
ACB.
Phase sequence ABC is
called positive sequence

120 e
deg

Phase Sequence
3-PHASE 4WIRE

C
VAB

VCA

VBC

VCN VBN VAN

C
N

3-phase 4-wire alternator

with output connected to
lines A, B, C, & N

A
B
C
3-phase 4-wire lines

120 e
deg

A
N

Phase Sequence
3-PHASE 4WIRE

A
B
C
N

Phase sequence ABC:

VAN VP 0 o
VBN VP 120

VCN VP 120 o
where VP is the line-to-neutral voltage
or the phase voltage

120 e
deg

Checkpoint 1
Given the phase sequence of phase voltages VAN, VBN, and VCN,
below, what is the phase sequence of the line voltages, V AB, VBC,
A
VCA?
B
C
N

Phase sequence ABC:

VAN VP 0 o
VBN VP 120

VCN VP 120 o
where VP is the line-to-neutral voltage
or the phase voltage

120 e
deg

Phase Sequence
3-PHASE 4WIRE

A
B
C
N

Phase sequence ABC:

VAN VP 0 o

VAB 3 VP 30o

VBN VP 120
VCN VP 120

VBC 3 VP 90

VCA 3 VP 150 o

where VP is the line-to-neutral voltage

or the phase voltage

120 e
deg

Phase Sequence
3-PHASE 4WIRE

A
B
C
N

Phase sequence ACB:

VAN VP 0 o
VBN VP 120

VAB 3 VP 30o
o

VCN VP 120 o

VBC 3 VP 150

VCA 3 VP 90 o

where VP is the line-to-neutral voltage

or the phase voltage

120 e
deg

Phase Sequence
3-PHASE 3WIRE

A
B
C

Phase sequence ABC:

VAB VL 0o
VBC VL 120

VCA VL 120 o
120 e
deg

Phase Sequence
3-PHASE 3WIRE

A
B
C

Phase sequence ACB:

VAB VL 0o
VBC VL 120

VCA VL 120 o
where VL is the line-to-line voltage

120 e
deg

Single-Phase 3-Wire System

A

n
+

B
n

An
VAn VAB
n

Bn

VBn

B
Coils A & B, in series

VAn VP 0 o
S
4-pole alternator
with 2 coils A & B

180 e deg

VBn VP 180 o

v An vP max sin(t ) vBn vP max sin(t 180o )

VAB VAn VnB VAn VBn VAn VAn 2VAn 2VBn

VBn

VAn

VAB

Single-Phase 3-Wire System

Illustrative Problem
16
Find the currents and total power dissipation as
shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 if VAn = - VBn = 100 V.
IA

IA

+
-

+
-

Z1 = 30 + j40 +
-

Z1 = 30+j40

n
nZ = 30+j40
3
Z2 = 30 + j40 +

nZ = 30+j40
3
In

In

B
IB

IB

Z2 = 30 + j40

Seatwork
Illustrative Problem
16
Find the currents and total power dissipation as
shown in Fig. 3 VAn = - VBn = 150 V.
IA

+
-

In

Z = 40 + j50
Z

B
IB

END OF
SESSION