Three-phase AC Power
Generation, transmission and distribution of electricity via the National
Grid system is accomplished by three-phase alternating currents.
Three-Phase Systems 16.9
• So far, our discussion of AC systems has been
restricted to single-phase arrangement
• as in conventional domestic supplies
• In high-power industrial applications we often use
three-phase arrangements
• these have three supplies, differing in phase by 120
• phases are labeled red, yellow and blue (R, Y & B)
• Relationship between the phases in a three-phase arrangement
• Three-phase arrangements may use either 3 or 4 conductors
Power Measurement 16.10
• When using AC, power is determined not only by the
r.m.s. values of the voltage and current, but also by the
phase angle (which determines the power factor)
• consequently, you cannot determine the power from
independent measurements of current and voltage
• In single-phase systems power is normally measured
using an electrodynamic wattmeter
• measures power directly using a single meter which
effectively multiplies instantaneous current and voltage
• In three-phase systems we need to sum the power taken from the
various phases
• in three-wire arrangements we can deduce the total power from
measurements using 2 wattmeter
• in a four-wire system it may be necessary to use 3 wattmeter
• in balanced systems (systems that take equal power from each phase) a single
wattmeter can be used, its reading being multiplied by 3 to get the total
power
What is Three-Phase Power?
• Three sinusoidal voltages of equal amplitude and frequency out of
phase with each other by 120°. Known as “balanced”.
• Phases are labeled A, B, and C.
• Phases are sequenced as A, B, C (positive) or A, C, B (negative).
ECE 441 7
• A three-phase supply is generated when three coils are placed 120°
apart and the whole rotated in a uniform magnetic field. The result is
three independent supplies of equal voltages which are each
displaced by 120° from each other.
• A three-phase a.c. supply is carried by three conductors, called ‘lines’
which are coloured red-R, yellow-Y and blue-B. The currents in these
conductors are known as line currents (IL) and the p.d.’s between
them are known as line voltages (VL). A fourth conductor, called the
neutral (coloured black, and connected through protective devices to
earth) is often used with a three-phase supply.
• 4 wires
• 3 “active” phases, A, B, C
• 1 “ground”, or “neutral”
• Color Code
• Phase A Red
• Phase B Yellow British system
• Phase C Blue
• Neutral Black
ECE 441 10
• 4 wires
• 3 “active” phases, A, B, C
• 1 “ground”, or “neutral”
• Color Code
• Phase A Red
• Phase B Black American system
• Phase C Blue
• Neutral White or Gray
ECE 441 11
Design of three-phase systems
• There are two ways in which this can be done, these being:
• (a) a star or wye connection, and (b) a delta, or mesh, connection.
Sources of three-phase supplies, i.e. alternators, are usually
connected in star, whereas three-phase transformer windings, motors
and other loads may be connected either in star or delta.
Characteristics of star-connected
systems
• In a star-connected load the three line conductors are each
connected to a load and the outlets from the loads are joined
together at N to form what is termed the neutral point or the star
point.
• The voltages, VR, VY and VB are called phase voltages or line to neutral
voltages. Phase voltages are generally denoted by Vp
• The voltages, VRY, VYB and VBR are called line voltages and are generally
denoted as VL
• The wires are carried to the external circuit, giving three phase, three
wire star connected systems. However, sometimes a fourth wire is
carried from the star point to the external circuit, called neutral wire,
forming three phase, four wire star connected systems.
• From Figure overleaf, it can be seen that the phase currents (generally
• denoted by Ip) are equal to their respective line currents IR, IY and IB, i.e.
for a star connection:
IL = Ip
• For a balanced system: I R = IY = IB , V R = VY = VB
VRY = VYB = VBR, ZR = ZY = ZB
and the current in the neutral conductor, IN = 0
• When a star connected system is balanced, then the neutral conductor
is unnecessary and is often omitted.
• By trigonometry (e.g., using cosine formula or sine rule), or by
measurement, VRY = √3VR, i.e. for a balanced star connection:
VL = √3 Vp
• The star connection of the three phases of a supply, together with a
neutral conductor, allows the use of two voltages—the phase voltage
and the line voltage. A 4-wire system is also used when the load is not
balanced. The standard electricity supply to consumers in Great
Britain is 415/240 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase, 4-wire alternating current.
Problem 1
• Three loads, each of resistance 30 Ω, are connected in star to a 415 V, 3-phase
supply. Determine (a) the system phase voltage, (b) the phase current and (c) the
line current.
• A ‘415 V, 3-phase supply’ means that 415 V is the line voltage, VL
• (a) For a star connection, VL = √3 Vp
• Hence phase voltage, Vp = = = 239.6 V or 240 V
correct to 3 significant figures
• (b) Phase current, Ip = = = 8 A
• (c) For a star connection, Ip = IL
• Hence the line current, IL = 8 A
Problem 2
• A star-connected load consists of three identical coils each of
resistance 30 Ω and inductance 127.3 mH. If the line current is 5.08 A,
calculate the line voltage if the supply frequency is 50 Hz
• Inductive reactance XL = 2πfL = 2π(50)(0.1273) = 40 Ω
• Impedance of each phase Zp = √(R2 + XL2) = √(302 + 402) = 50 Ω
• For a star connection IL = Ip =
• Hence phase voltage Vp = Ip Zp = (5.08)(50) = 254 V
• Line voltage VL = √3 Vp= 440 V
Characteristics of delta-connected
systems
• In a delta (or mesh) connected load the end of one load is connected
to the start of the next load.
• From Figure in the next slide, it can be seen that the line voltages VRY,
VYB and VBR are the respective phase voltages, i.e. for a delta
connection:
• VL = V p
• Delta or Mesh Connection (Δ) System is also known as Three Phase
Three Wire System (3-Phase 3 Wire) and it is the most preferred
system for AC power transmission while for distribution,
Star connection is generally used.
• In Delta (Δ) or Mesh connection, the finished terminal of one winding
is connected to start terminal of the other phase and so on which
gives a closed circuit. The three line conductors are run from the
three junctions of the mesh called Line Conductors.
• In more clear words, all three coils are connected in series to form a
close mesh or circuit. Three wires are taken out from three junctions
and all outgoing currents from junction assumed to be positive
• To understand the relationship between the phase voltage and line
voltage in the Delta consider the figure A shown below.
• It is clear from the figure that the voltage across terminals 1 and 2 is
the same as across the terminals R and Y. Therefore,
• Similarly,
• Where, the phase voltages are
•
• The line voltages are
•
• Hence, in Delta Connection Line Voltage is equal to Phase Voltage.
i.e., VL = Vp
• By trigonometry or by measurement, using similar logical reasoning, it
can also be shown that IR = √3IRY, i.e. for a balanced delta connection:
• IL = √3Ip
Problems on delta connection
• Problem 1: Three identical coils each of resistance 30 Ω and inductance
127.3 mH are connected in delta to a 440 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply.
Determine (a) the phase current, and (b) the line current.
• Problem 2: Three identical capacitors are connected in delta to a 415 V,
50 Hz, 3-phase supply. If the line current is 15 A, determine the
capacitance of each of the capacitors.
• Problem 3: Three coils each having resistance 3 Ω and inductive
reactance 4 Ω are connected (i) in star and (ii) in delta to a 415 V, 3-
phase supply. Calculate for each connection (a) the line and phase
voltages and (b) the phase and line currents.
• Problem 4: Three coils each having resistance 6 Ω and inductance L H
are connected (a) in star and (b) in delta, to a 415 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase
supply. If the line current is 30 A, find for each connection the value of
L. [(a) 16.78 mH (b) 73.84 mH]
• Problem 5: Three identical capacitors are connected (a) in star, (b) in
delta to a 400 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply. If the line current is 12 A
determine in each case the capacitance of each of the capacitors.
• Problem 6: Three 24 μF capacitors are connected in star across a 400
V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply. What value of capacitance must be
connected in delta in order to take the same line current? (ans: 8 μF)
• Problem 7: Three coils are connected in delta to a three-phase, three-
wire, 400 V, 50 Hz supply and take a line current of 5 A at 0.8 power
factor lagging. Calculate the resistance and inductance of the coils. If
the coils are star-connected to the same supply, calculate the line
current and the total power.
Difference between line and phase
quantities
• Line voltage is nothing but the output voltage measured at
transformer externally i.e. Voltage available between any 2 wires out
of 3 wires. We call it as VL.
• But Phase voltage is the output voltage available internally i.e.
Voltage available between single phase wire and neutral. We call it as
Vph.
• And the same definition holds good for current available which shall
be called as IL & Iph.
Total power consumed by 3-ɸ AC
circuits
• Students sometimes become confused when computing power in three phase
circuits. One reason for this confusion is that there are actually two formulas that
can be used.
• Our basic rule is to measure power available at secondary which is nothing but the
product of Phase Voltage and Phase Current and summation of all three phases,
i.e.;
• P = 3 x VphIph cos Ɵ ….(1)
• But it is very difficult to measure the phase voltages from a transformer which may
involve complex connections and may be impossible. Rather it’s easy to measure
from the line parameters present outside using a voltmeter and clamp-on
ammeter.
• Here we take the case of star connected transformer,
• Since the line voltage is a combination of two phase voltages we cannot just add together
to make VL = 2 x Vph which doesn’t make sense since there is a phase shift of 120°.
• Using sine rule,
• VL /sin(120) = Vph /sin(30)
• So, VL = 2 x Vph x sin(120)
• VL = 2 x Vph x √3/2
• VL = √3 x Vph
• Vph = VL /√3 …. (2)
•
• Substituting (2) in (1),
• We get P = 3 x VL /√3 x IL since Iph = IL
P = √3 .VL .IL (total apparent power)
• This holds good for transformers and for other loads like motors,
generators etc. Another factor called power factor gets introduced in
the equation and converted as,
• P = √3 .VL .IL.cosθ (total active power)
• Notice that in the second formula, the line values of voltage and
current are multiplied by the square root of 3. In the first formula, the
phase values of voltage and current are multiplied by 3.
• The second formula is used more often because it is generally more
convenient to obtain line values of voltage and current, which can be
measured with a voltmeter and clamp-on ammeter.
Calculation of Power in balanced 3-ɸ
circuits
• Problem 1: Three 12 Ω resistors are connected in star to a 415 V, 3-phase
supply. Determine the total power dissipated by the resistors.
• Problem 2: Three identical coils, each of resistance 10 Ω and inductance
42 mH are connected (a) in star and (b) in delta to a 415 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase
supply. Determine the total power dissipated in each case.
• Problem 3: The load connected to a three-phase supply comprises three
similar coils connected in star. The line currents are 25 A and the apparent
and active power inputs are 20 kVA and 11 kW respectively. Find the line
and phase voltages, reactive power input and the resistance and
reactance of each coil. If the coils are now connected in delta to the same
three-phase supply, calculate the line currents and the active power taken.
• Problem 4: Three similar coils are connected in delta to a 3-Φ, 3-wire,
415-V, 50-Hz supply and take a line current of 5 A at 0.8 p.f. lagging.
Determine:
i. the total active power dissipated in the coils;
ii. the resistance and inductance of the coils;
Basic Three-Phase Circuit
ECE 441 42
Three-Phase Power
ECE 441 43
• Typically, transmission lines consist of four wires, rather than two as
you might have guessed. One of these wires is the ground; the
remaining three are used to transmit three-phase ac power which is a
superposition of three ac voltages 120⁰ out of phase with each other:
• V₁ = V₀ sinωt
• V₂ = V₀ sin(ωt + 2π/3)
• V₃ = V₀ sin(ωt + 4π/3).
Why is three-phase power used?
• Single-phase power—just the voltage V₁ by itself—delivers voltage to a
load in pulses. A much smoother flow of power can be delivered if we
use three-phase power.
• Suppose that each of the three voltages making up the three-phase
source is hooked up to a resistor R. Then the power delivered is:
• P = (V₁² + V₂² + V₃²)
• It can be shown that this power is a constant equal to 3V₀²/2R, which is
three times the rms power delivered by a single-phase source (V₀/√2 is
the rms voltage). This smooth flow of power makes electrical equipment
run smoothly. Although houses use single-phase ac power, most
industrial-grade machinery is wired for three-phase power.
Reasons why three-phase power is
superior to single phase power
1. The horsepower rating of three-phase motors and the KVA (kilo-volt-amp)
rating of three-phase transformers is about 150% greater than for single-
phase motors or transformers with a similar frame size.
2. The power delivered by a single-phase system pulsates, The power falls to
zero three times during each cycle. The power delivered by a three-phase
circuit pulsates also, but it never falls to zero. In a three-phase system, the
power delivered to the load is the same at any instant. This produces superior
operating characteristics for three-phase motors.
3. In a balanced three-phase system, the conductors need be only about 75%
the size of conductors for a single-phase two-wire system of the same KVA
rating. This helps offset the cost of supplying the third conductor required by
three-phase systems.
Single-phase vs three-phase
With the wave form of single-phase power, when the 3-phase power has 3 distinct wave cycles that overlap. Each
wave passes through zero, the power supplied at that phase reaches its peak 120 degrees apart from the others
moment is zero. In the U.S., the wave cycles 60 times so the level of power supplied remains consistent.
per second.
Wye – Wye System
a A
Zl
ZL
n
N
ZL ZL
b
c B C
Zl
Zl
Delta – Delta System
a A
Zl
_ +
ZL
ZL
+ _
b
c _ + B C
Zl ZL
Zl
Delta – Wye System
a A
Zl
_ + ZL
+ _
ZL ZL
b
c _ + B C
Zl
Zl
Wye – Delta System
a a
A
I aA I AB ICA
+
V 0
_
Z Z
n
_ _
V -2 4 0 V -1 2 0 IB C
+ +
b b B C
c Z
The voltage given for a three-phase system is always the line
voltage unless it is stated otherwise.
Unbalanced 3-ɸ power systems
• Three-phase loads are generally balanced
• But we also have three-phase unbalanced loads
• An unbalanced three-phase circuit is one that contains at least one
source or load that does not possess three-phase symmetry. A source
with the three source-function magnitudes unequal and/or the
successive phase displacements different from 120° can make a circuit
unbalanced. Similarly, a three-phase load with unequal phase
impedance values can make a circuit unbalanced.
Balanced three phase supply:
• A three phase supply is said to be balanced, when all the three
voltages have the same magnitude but differ in phase by 120° with
respect to one another.
• The three phase supply is said to be unbalanced, even if one of the
above conditions is not satisfied.
Balanced Load:
• A three phase load is said to be balanced, when the impedances of all
the three phases are exactly the same. Even if one of them is
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different from the other, then QUESTIONthe three PAPERS phase load is said to be 53
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QUESTION PAPERS
54
Unbalanced 3-ɸ power systems
examples
• In a three-phase four-wire system the line voltage is 400 V and non-
inductive loads of 10 kW, 8 kW and 5 kW are connected between
the three-line conductors and the neutral. Calculate:
a) the current in each line;
b) the current in the neutral conductor.
• Non-reactive loads of 10, 6 and 4 kW are connected between the
neutral and the red, yellow and blue phases respectively of a three-
phase, four-wire system. The line voltage is 400 V. Find the current in
each line conductor and in the neutral.
