Chapter 2:

Three Phase Circuits

Prepared by:
Dr. Allan Melvin
 Introduction
The electrical displacement between the
windings depends upon the number of windings
or phases. For examples, a 2 phase generator has
two separate but identical windings that are 90°
electrical part and rotate in a common
magnetic
field. The generator will produce two
alternating voltages of the same
magnitude and frequency having a
phase difference of 90°
 Single Phase Alternator
It has one winding or coil A rotating in
anticlockwise direction with an angular velocity
ω in the 2 pole field. The equation of the e.m.f
induced in the coil is given by:
𝑒𝑎 1,𝑎 2 = 𝐸𝑚
sin 𝜔𝑡
 Two Phases Alternator
It has two identical coils A and B diplaced 90°
electrical from each other and rotating in
anticlockwise direction with an angular velocity
ω in the 2-pole field. Note that the e.m.f in coil
A leads that in coil B by 90°. The equations:
𝑒𝑎 1𝑎 2 = 𝐸𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡
𝑒𝑏 1𝑏 2 = 𝐸𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡 − 90°
 Three Phases Alternator
It has three identical windings or coils A, B, C displaced
120° electrical degrees from each other and rotating in
anticlockwise direction with angular velocity ω in the 2
pole field. The e.m.f in
coil B will be 120° behind that of coil A and e.m.f in coil C
will be 240° behind that of coil A. The equation:
𝑒𝑎 1𝑎 2 = 𝐸𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 ,
𝑒𝑏 1𝑏 2 = 𝐸𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 − 120° , 𝑒𝑐 1𝑐 2 = 𝐸𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑡 − 240
Advantage Three Phases
 Interconnection Three Phases
In three phase alternator, there are three windings or
phases. Each phase has two terminals-start and
finish. If a separate load is connected across each
winding as shown in Fig. a, conductors are required
to transmit power. This will make the whole system
complicated and expensive. In practice, the 3-
windings are interconnected as shown in Fig. b to
give rise to two methods of connection
a. Star or Wye connection
b. Mesh or Delta connection
Fig. a Fig. b (i) & (ii)
S1. Star-Wye Connection
S1. Voltage & Current in
Balanced Y connection
S1. Line voltage & phase
voltage
S1. Line Current and Phase
Current
S1. Power
 Problem S1-1
Three coils, each having a resistance of 20Ω and
an inductive reactance of 15Ω are connected in
star to a 400 Volt, 3
phase, 50 Hz supply. Calculate (i) line the
current, (ii) power factor and power (iii)
supplied.
Solution S1-1
 Problem S1-2
Calculate the active and reactive components of
current in each phase of a star-connected 10,000
volts, 3 phase generator supplying 5,000kW at a
lagging power factor 0.8. Find the new output if
the current is maintained at the same value but
the power factor raised to 0.9 lagging.
Problem S1-2
 Problem S1-3
A balanced star-connected load of
impedance (6+j8) ohms per phase
connected to a 3-phase, 230 Volts, 50Hz issupply.
Fine the line current and power absorbed by
each phase.
Solution S1-3
 Problem S1-4
Three 50 ohm resistors are connected in star
across 400 Volts, 3 phase supply.
i. Find phase current, line current and power
taken from the mains.
ii. What would be the above value if one the
resistors were disconnected?
Solution S1-4
 Problem S1-5
Three similar coils, connected in star,
take a total power of 1.5kW at a p.f. of
0.2 lagging from a 3-phase, 50Hz 400 Volt,
supply. Calculate the and resistance
inductance of each coil.
Solution S1-5
 Problem S1-6
The load to a 3-phase supply comprises three
similar coils connected in star. The line currents
are 25A and the kVA and kW inputs are 20 and
11 respectively. Find (i) the phase and line
voltage, (ii) the kVAR input and (iii) resistance
and reactance of each coil.
Solution S1-6
 Problem S1-7
If the phase voltage of a three pahse star
connected alternator be 231 Volts, what will be
the line voltage (i) when the phases are correctly
connected, (ii) when the connections of one of
the phases are reversed?
Solution S1-7
S2. Delta-Mesh Connection
S2. Line Voltage and Phase
Voltage
S2. Line Current and Phase
Current
S2. Power
 Problem S2-1
A balanced delta connected load takes a line
current of 18A at a p.f. of 0.85 leading from a
400 volt, 3 phase, 50Hz supply. Calculate the
resistance of each leg of the load.
Solution S2-1
 Problem S2-2
Three similar resistors are connected in star
cross 400V, 3-phase supply. The line current is
5A. Calculate the value of each resistance. To
what value should the line voltage be changed to
obtain the same line current with the resistor
connected in delta?
Solution S2-2
 Problem S2-3
Three 40Ω non-inductive resistances are
connected in delta across 400volts, 3-
phase lines. Calculate the power taken
from the mains. If one the resistances is
disconnected, what would be the power taken
from the mains.
Solution S2-3
 Problem S2-4
Three identical resistances, each of 15Ω, are
connected in delta across 400 Volt, 3-phase
supply. What value of resistance in each leg of
balanced star- connected load would take the
same line current.
Solution S2-4
Advantages of Star Connection
Advantages of Delta Connection