THREE-PHASE
SYSTEMS
Why it is important to understand: Three-phase systems
A three-phase circuit is an electrical distribution method that uses three
alternating currents to supply power. This type of power distribution is the
most widely used in the world for transferring power from generating
systems to electrical supply grids. A three-phase circuit is also commonly
used on large motors, pumps and other pieces of mechanical equipment.
Most households receive electricity in the form of single-phase circuits,
though some may have special three-phase circuit breakers installed for
appliances such as washing machines or stoves. A three-phase system is
usually more economical than an equivalent single-phase or two-phase
system at the same voltage because it uses less conductor material to
transmit electrical power.
The three currents, together, deliver a balanced load, something not possible
with single phase alternating current. With alternating current, the current
direction alternates, flowing back and forth in the circuit; this means that the
voltage alternates as well, constantly changing from maximum to minimum.
Three phase power combines the three wires to offset the maximum and
minimum oscillations, so that a device receiving this type of power does not
experience such a wide variation in voltage. This makes three-phase power a
very efficient form of electrical power distribution. Consequently, a three phase
electric motor uses less electricity and normally lasts longer than a single-phase
motor of the same voltage and rating.
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
Three loads, each of resistance 30Ω, are connected in star to a
415V, three-phase supply. Determine:
(a) the system phase voltage,
(b) the phase current and
(c) the line current.
Answers:
a. Vp = 239.6004 V
b. Ip = 7.9867 A
c. Ip = 7.9867 A
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
A star-connected load consists of three identical coils each of resistance
30Ω and inductance 127.3mH. If the line current is 5.08 A, calculate the
line voltage if the supply frequency is 50Hz.
Answer: VL = 439.8879 V
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3
Three identical coils each of resistance 30Ω and inductance
127.3mH are connected in delta to a 440V, 50Hz, three-phase
supply. Determine:
(a) the phase current, and
(b) the line current.
Answers:
a. Ip = 8.7988 A
b. IL = 15.24 A
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
Three identical capacitors are connected in delta to a 415V,
50Hz, three-phase supply. If the line current is 15 A, determine
the capacitance of each of the capacitors.
Answer: C = 66.4252 microF
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
Three coils each having resistance 3Ω and inductive reactance 4Ω
are connected (i) in star and (ii) in delta to a 415V, three-phase
supply. Calculate for each connection
(a) the line and phase voltages and
(b) the phase and line currents.
Answers:
i)
a. VL = 415 V
VP = 239.6004 V
b. IL = IP = 47.9201 A
ii)
c. VL = VP = 415 V
b. IP = 83 A
I = 143.7602 A
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 6
Draw the phasor diagram indicating Va and Vc if Vb = 265.6∠37°
and the phase sequence is; (a) ABC (b) ACB
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 7
Replace the delta-connected network shown in the Figure by an
equivalent star connection.
Answers:
Z1 = 8.9443 < 63.4349 Ω
Z2 = 8.9443 < - 26.5651 Ω
Z3 = 12.6491 < - 71.5651 Ω
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 8
Determine the delta-connected equivalent network for the star-
connected impedances shown in the Figure.
Answers:
ZA = 12.5 < 36.8699 Ω
ZB = 50 < - 53.1301 Ω
ZC = 25 < 36.8699 Ω
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 9
Three identical coils, each of resistance 10Ω and inductance
42mH are connected (a) in star and (b) in delta to a 415V, 50Hz,
three-phase supply. Determine the total power dissipated in
each case.
Answers:
a. Pwye = 6.2833 kW
b. Pdelta = 18.8499 kW
Balanced Wye-Wye Connection
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 10
Calculate the line currents in the three-wire Y-Y system of the Figure.
Answers:
IA = 6.8088 < - 21.8014 A
IB = 6.8088 < - 141.8014 A
IC = 6.8088 < 98.1986 A
Balanced Wye-Delta Connection
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 11
Answers:
IAB = 19.3649 < 13.4349 A
IBC = 19.3649 < 106.5651 A
ICA = 19.3649 < 133.4349 A
Ia = 33.5410 < - 16.5651 A
Ib = 33.5410 < - 136.5651 A
I = 33.5410 < 103.4349 A
Balanced Delta-Delta Connection
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 12
Answers:
IAB = 13.2 < 36.8699 A
IBC = 13.2 < - 83.1301 A
ICA = 13.2 < 156.8699 A
Ia = 22.8631 < 6.8699A
Ib = 22.8631 < - 113.1301 A
I = 22.8631 < 126.8699 A
Balanced Delta-Wye Connection
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 13
Answers:
Ia = 2.5704 < - 62.0054A
Ib = 2.5704 < - 182.0054 A
Ic = 2.5704 < 57.9946 A
Unbalanced Three-Phase Systems
The line currents will not be equal nor will they have
120º phase difference as was the case of with balanced loads.
An unbalanced system is caused by two possible situations:
(1) the source voltages are not equal in magnitude and/or
differ in phase by angles that are unequal, or
(2) load impedances are unequal.
WYE-CONNECTED UNBALANCED LOADS WITH NEUTRAL
Since the load is unbalanced, ZA, ZB, and ZC are not equal. The
line currents are determined by Ohm’s law as:
This set of unbalanced line currents produces current in the
neutral line, which is not zero as in a balanced system. Applying
KCL at node N gives the neutral line current as
In a three-wire system where the neutral line is absent, we can
still find the line currents Ia, Ib, and Ic using mesh analysis. At
node N, KCL must be satisfied so that Ia + Ib + Ic = 0 in this case.
The same could be done for a delta-Y, Y-delta, or delta-delta
three-wire system.
To simplify analysis, we will assume balanced source voltages, but an unbalanced load. Unbalanced
three-phase systems are solved by direct application of mesh and nodal analysis.
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 14
The unbalanced Y-load is below has balanced voltages of 100V and the
acb sequence. Calculate the line currents and the neutral current. Take
Za= 15 ohms, Zb = 10 + j5 ohms, Zc = 6 – j8 ohms.
Answers:
Ia = 6.6667 < 0 A
Ib = 8.9443 < 93.4349 A
Ic = 10 < - 66.8699 A
IN = 10.0625 < 178.4741 A
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 15
An unbalanced Y-connected load is supplied by 120V. Find the
line currents and neutral current flows.
20Ω
(12-j4)Ω
(8+j5)Ω
Answers:
Ia = 6 < 0 A
Ib = 12.72 < - 152.0054 A
Ic = 9.4868 < 138.4349 A
IN = 12.334 < - 1.5035 A
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 16
The unbalanced delta load below is supplied by balanced line to line
voltages of 440 V in positive sequence. Find the line current. Take Vab as
reference.
Answers:
Ia = 39.7064 < - 41.0657 A
Ib = 64.1199 < - 139.7661 A
Ic = 70.1264 < 74.2687 A
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 17
Find the line currents in the unbalanced three-phase
circuit on the side.
Answers:
Ia = 64.0049 < 80.1039 A
Ib = 38.1051 < - 60 A
Ic = 42.5007 < - 135 A
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 18
For unbalanced circuit on the side, find the line currents.
Answers:
Ia = 56.7846 A
Ib = 25.4558 < 135 A
Ic = 42.758 < - 155.1039 A
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 19
A balanced three-phase Y-source with Vp = 210 V rms drives a Y-
connected three-phase load with phase impedance Za = 80 ohms,
Zb = 60+j90 ohms and Zc = j80 Ohms Calculate the line currents.
Assume that the neutrals are connected.
Answers:
Ia = 2.625 < 0 A
Ib = 1.9415 < - 176.3099 A
Ic = 2.625 < 30 A
SYMMETRICAL COMPONENTS
One of the most powerful tools in dealing with unbalanced polyphase
circuits is using the method of symmetrical components.
Fortescue’s work proves that an unbalanced system of n related
phasors can be resolved into n systems of balanced phasors called the
symmetrical components of the original phasors.
The n phasors of each set of components are equal in magnitude
and the phase angles between the adjacent phasors are equal.
According to Fortescue’s theorem, three unbalanced phasors of three
phase system can be resolved into three balanced systems of phasors.
The balanced set of components are:
1. Positive Sequence Components (with subscript 1)
◦ Consisting of three phasors equal in magnitude, displaced from each other by 120˚
and having the same phase sequence as the original phasor.
2. Negative Sequence Components (with subscript 2)
oConsisting of three phasors equal in magnitude, displaced from each other by 120˚
and having the same phase sequence opposite to that of the original phasor.
3. Zero Sequence Components (with subscript 0)
◦ Consisting of three phasors equal in magnitude and with zero phase displacement
from each other.
THREE-PHASE SYSTEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM 20
IC0, IC1, IC2
Answers:
Ia0 = 0 A
Ia1 = 5.7735 < - 30 A
Ia2 = 5.7735 < 30 A
Ib0 = 0 A
Ib1 = 5.7735 < - 150 A
Ib2 = 5.7735 < 150 A
Ic0 = 0 A
