ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

TOPIC 1.3A WEBINAR

Presented by – Deepak Pais

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 Learning outcomes
• Polyphase systems

• Types of 3-phase systems

- Balanced star, 3/4 wire
- Delta
- Current and voltage: relationship between line and
phase quantities

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 Polyphase systems
• A polyphase system is a means of distributing
alternating-current electrical power.

• Polyphase systems have three or more energized

electrical conductors carrying alternating currents with a
definite time offset between the voltage waves in each
conductor

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 One voltage cycle of a three-phase system

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 Three Phase AC Power

Three-phase voltages with 120 degrees phase shift.

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 Three-Phase Circuits

• Three-phase systems have either three or

four conductors.
• There are three-phase conductors identified
as R, Y and B or A, B, and C.
• The three phases are 120 degrees out of
phase with each other (360 divided by 3).
• Sometimes there is a fourth conductor,
which is the neutral (Y systems).

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 Y Connection
In a Y system, the line voltage is higher than the phase
voltage by a factor of the square root of 3 which is 1.732.

VL = Vph x 1.732

Vph = VL / 1.732

The line current is equal to the phase current.

IL = Iph

This is a balanced Y system

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 Line and phase currents in a Y connection

.
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 Vector sum of Y system voltages

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 Delta Connections
• In a delta system, the line
current is higher than the phase
current by a factor of the
square root of 3 (1.732).

IL = IPh x 1.732
IPh = IL / 1.732

• The line voltage is equal to the Delta system voltage and current
phase voltage.
VL = VPh

• This is a balanced Delta system

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 Three-Phase Power
• Three-phase power can be computed using:

S = 3 x VL x IL

OR

S= 3 x VPh x Iph

S is apparent power expressed in VA

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 Example
A 3-phase AC system has a delta connected load with each arm having a
resistance of 20 ohms. The supply voltage is 400 V. What is the current
through each of the delta arms? Also calculate the line current and the total
power consumed.

Note Vph = VL

Current in each delta arm is Iph = Vph/R = 400/20= 20 A

Line current = Iph x √3 = 20 x √3 = 34.64 A

Power = √3 x VL x IL x cosφ

Since the circuit is purely resistive cosφ = 1

Therefore 3 phase Power = √3 x 400 x 34.64 = 24 kW

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 Example
A 3-phase AC system has a delta connected load with each arm
having a resistance of 15 ohms. The supply voltage is 440 V.
What is the current through each of the delta arms? Also
calculate the line current and the total power consumed.

Solution: (To be worked in class)

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 Real Power
P = VI cos 
PT = 3P = 3VI cos 
PT = 3 VLIL cos 
P = I2R
PT = 3I2R
Unit is W

 - phase, L – line, T - Total

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 Reactive Power

Q = VI sin 
QT = 3 VLIL sin 
Q = I2X
QT = 3I2X
Unit is VAR

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 Apparent Power

• S = VI
• ST = 3 VLIL
• S = I2Z
• ST = 3I2Z
Unit is VA

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 Example
• Three equal impedances each having a resistance of 25Ω and
reactance of 40Ω are connected in star to a 400 V, 3-phase, 50 Hz
system. Calculate:
– The line current
– Power factor, and
– Power consumed

Solution:
Resistance per phase, Rph = 25Ω
Reactance per phase, Xph = 40Ω
Line voltage, EL = 400Ω

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 Solution

25

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 Example
• Three identical coils are connected in a star to a 400V (line
voltage) 3-phase A.C supply and each coil takes 300W. If the
power factor is 0.8(lagging). Calculate:
– The line current
– Impedance and
– Resistance and inductance of each coil

• Solution. Line voltage, EL= 400 V

Power taken by each coil, Pph = 300W
Power factor, cos Φ= 0.8 (lagging)

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 Solution

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 Example
A balanced 3- phase star connected load of 100 kW takes an leading current of 80 A when
connected across a 3-phase, 1100 V, 50 Hz supply .Find the circuit constant of the load per phase.

Solution. Given: P = 100 kW; Iph(=IL) = 80A; EL = 1100 V; f = 50 Hz

P = √3 EL IL cos Φ

So line or phase current

P 100 * 103
IL= ( Iph) = --------------------- = --------------------------------
√3 EL cos Φ √3* 1100 * cos Φ

100 * 103
or, cos Φ = --------------------- = 0.656
√3 * 1100* 80

Eph (1100/√3)
Z = -------- = ---------------- = 7.94 Ω
Iph 80

So R = Z cos Φ = 7.94 * 0.656 = 5.2 Ω

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 Example (continued)
1
Now XC = --------- as the current given is leading current
2πfC

1
C = -----------
2 π f XC

But XC = Z sin Φ = 7.94 * 0.755 * 5.99 Ω

1
C = ---------------------- F
2π * 50 * 5.99

1
= --------------------- F = 531.4 μF
2π * 50 * 5.99

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 Example
A balanced 3- phase star connected load of 200 kW takes an leading current of 170 A when
connected across a 3-phase, 1100 V, 50 Hz supply .Find the circuit constant of the load per phase.

Solution. Given: P = 200 kW; Iph(=IL) = 170A; EL = 1100 V; f = 50 Hz

P = √3 EL IL cos Φ and Eph = 1100/√3 = 635.08V

(To be worked in class)

So line or phase current

P
or, cos Φ = --------------------- =
√3 * EL * IL

Eph
Z = -------- =
Iph

So R = Z cos Φ =

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 Example (continued)
1
Now XC = --------- as the current given is leading current
2πfC

1
C = -----------
2 π f XC

But XC = Z sin Φ =

1
C = ---------------------- F =
2π * 50 * XC

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 QUESTIONS?

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