THREE PHASE SYSTEM

 Definition

The system which has three phases, i.e., the current will pass through the three wires,
and there will be one neutral wire for passing the fault current to the earth is known as the
three phase system. In other words, the system which uses three wires for generation,
transmission and distribution is known as the three phase system. The three phase system
is also used as a single phase system if one of their phase and the neutral wire is taken out
from it. The sum of the line currents in the 3-phase system is equal to zero, and their
phases are differentiated at an angle of 120º

The three-phase system has four wire, i.e., the three current carrying conductors and
the one neutral. The cross section area of the neutral conductor is half of the live wire. The
current in the neutral wire is equal to the sum of the line current of the three wires and
consequently equal to √3 times the zero phase sequence components of current.

The three-phase system has several advantages like it requires fewer conductors as
compared to the single phase system. It also gives the continuous supply to the load. The
three-phase system has higher efficiency and minimum losses.

The three phase system induces in the generator which gives the three phase voltage of
equal magnitude and frequency. It provides an uninterruptible power, i.e., if one phase of
the system is disturbed, then the remaining two phases of the system continue supplies the
power.The magnitude of the current in one phase is equal to the sum of the current in the
other two phases of the system. The 120º phase difference of the three phases is must for
the proper working of the system. Otherwise, the system becomes damaged

 Types of Connections in Three-Phase System

The three-phase systems are connected in two ways, i.e., the star connection and the
delta connection. Their detail explanation is shown below.

 Star Connection

The star connection requires four wires in which there are three phase conductors and
one neutral conductor. Such type of connection is mainly used for long distance
transmission because it has a neutral point. The neutral point passes the unbalanced current
to the earth and hence make the system balance.
 Figure. 1 Three-Phase Star Connected System

The star connected three phase systems gives two different voltages, i.e., the 230 V and
440V. The voltage between the single phase and the neutral is 230V, and the voltage
between the two phases is equal to the 440V.

 Delta Connection

The delta connection has three wires, and there is a no neutral point. The delta
connection is shown in the figure below. The line voltage of the delta connection is equal
to the phase voltage.

Figure.2 Three-Phase Delta Connection

 Three wire & Four wire circuit

There are two basic three-phase configurations: wye (Y) and delta (Δ). As shown in the
diagram, a delta configuration requires only three wires for transmission but a wye (star)
configuration may have a fourth wire. The fourth wire, if present, is provided as a neutral
and is normally grounded. The "3-wire" and "4-wire" designations do not count the ground
wire present above many transmission lines, which is solely for fault protection and does
not carry current under normal use.

A four-wire system with symmetrical voltages between phase and neutral is

obtained when the neutral is connected to the "common star point" of all supply windings.
In such a system, all three phases will have the same magnitude of voltage relative to the
neutral. Other non-symmetrical systems have been used.

The four-wire wye system is used when a mixture of single-phase and three-phase
loads are to be served, such as mixed lighting and motor loads. An example of application
is local distribution in Europe (and elsewhere), where each customer may be only fed from
one phase and the neutral (which is common to the three phases). When a group of
customers sharing the neutral draw unequal phase currents, the common neutral wire
carries the currents resulting from these imbalances. Electrical engineers try to design the
three-phase power system for any one location so that the power drawn from each of three
phases is the same, as far as possible at that site.[13] Electrical engineers also try to arrange
the distribution network so the loads are balanced as much as possible, since the same
principles that apply to individual premises also apply to the wide-scale distribution system
power. Hence, every effort is made by supply authorities to distribute the power drawn on
each of the three phases over a large number of premises so that, on average, as nearly as
possible a balanced load is seen at the point of supply.

For domestic use, some countries such as the UK may supply one phase and neutral
at a high current (up to 100 A) to one property, while others such as Germany may supply
3 phases and neutral to each customer, but at a lower fuse rating, typically 40–63 A per
phase, and "rotated" to avoid the effect that more load tends to be put on the first
phase.[citation needed]

A transformer for a "high-leg delta" system used for mixed single-phase and three-
phase loads on the same distribution system. Three-phase loads such as motors connect to
L1, L2, and L3. Single-phase loads would be connected between L1 or L2 and neutral, or
between L1 and L2. The L3 phase is 1.73 times the L1 or L2 voltage to neutral so this leg
is not used for single-phase loads.

In North America, a high-leg delta supply is sometimes used where one winding of
a delta-connected transformer feeding the load is center-tapped and that center tap is
grounded and connected as a neutral as shown in the second diagram. This setup produces
three different voltages: If the voltage between the center tap (neutral) and each of the top
and bottom taps (phase and anti-phase) is 120 V (100%), the voltage across the phase and
anti-phase lines is 240 V (200%), and the neutral to "high leg" voltage is ≈ 208 V (173%).
 The reason for providing the delta connected supply is usually to power large motors
requiring a rotating field. However, the premises concerned will also require the "normal"
North American 120 V supplies, two of which are derived (180 degrees "out of phase")
between the "neutral" and either of the center tapped phase points

 Principle

In a symmetric three-phase power supply system, three conductors each carry an

alternating current of the same frequency and voltage amplitude relative to a common
reference but with a phase difference of one third of a cycle between each. The common
reference is usually connected to ground and often to a current-carrying conductor called
the neutral. Due to the phase difference, the voltage on any conductor reaches its peak at
one third of a cycle after one of the other conductors and one third of a cycle before the
remaining conductor. This phase delay gives constant power transfer to a balanced linear
load. It also makes it possible to produce a rotating magnetic field in an electric motor and
generate other phase arrangements using transformers .

 Advantage

Three-phase supplies have properties that make them very desirable in electric power
distribution systems:

The phase currents tend to cancel out one another, summing to zero in the case of a
linear balanced load. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the neutral conductor
because it carries little or no current. With a balanced load, all the phase conductors carry
the same current and so can be the same size.

Power transfer into a linear balanced load is constant, which helps to reduce generator
and motor vibrations.

Three-phase systems can produce a rotating magnetic field with a specified direction and
constant magnitude, which simplifies the design of electric motors, as no starting circuit is
required.

1. THE Y TO Y CIRCUIT

Consider the Y-to-Y circuit shown in figure 3. This three phase circuit consists of three
parts, that are:

a) A three phase source

 A three phase source consists of three Y connected sinusoidal voltage sources.
b) A three phase load
The impedances that comprise the load are connected to form a Y.
c) A transmission line
A transmission line used to connect the source to the load consist of four wires,
including a wire connecting the neutral node of the source to the neutral node of the
load.

Figure. 3 Figure 4
Analysis of the four wire Y-to-Y circuit in Figure 3-a is relatively easy. Each
impedance of the three phase load is connected directly across a voltage source of the
three-phase source. Therefore, the voltage across the impedance is known, and the line
currents are easily calculated as:

𝑉 𝑉 𝑉
𝐼𝑎𝐴 = 𝑍𝑎 , 𝐼𝑏𝐵 = 𝑍 𝑏 , 𝐼𝑐𝐶 = 𝑍𝑐 (a)
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶

The current in the wire connecting the neutral node of the source to the neutral node of the
load is

𝑉 𝑉 𝑉
I𝑁𝑛 = 𝐼𝑎𝐴 + 𝐼𝑏𝐵 + 𝐼𝑐𝐶 = 𝑍𝑎 + 𝑍 𝑏 + 𝑍𝑐 (b)
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶

The average power delivered by three phase source to the three phase load is calculated by
adding up the average power delivered to each impedance of load.

𝑃 = 𝑃𝐴 + 𝑃𝐵 + 𝑃𝐶 (c)

Where for example, PA is the average power absorbed by ZA. PA is easily calculated once
IaA is known.
For convenience, let the phase voltages of the Y-connected source be

𝑉𝑎 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 0° 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠, 𝑉𝑏 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠ − 120° 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠, 𝑉𝑐 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 120° 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠

Notice that we are using effective values because the units of VP are Vrms.

When 𝑍𝐴 = 𝑍𝐵 = 𝑍𝐶 = 𝑍 = 𝑍∠𝜃, the load is said to be a balanced load. In general,

analysis of balanced three-phase circuit is easier than analysis of unbalanced three-phase
circuit. The line currents in the balanced, four wire Y-to-Y circuit are given by

𝑉𝑎 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 0° 𝑉𝑏 𝑉𝑝 − ∠ 120° 𝑉c 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 120°
𝐼𝑎𝐴 = = , 𝐼𝑏𝐵 = = , 𝐼𝑐𝐶 = =
𝑍𝐴 𝑍∠𝜃 𝑍𝐵 𝑍∠𝜃 𝑍𝐶 𝑍∠𝜃

Then

𝑉𝑃 𝑉𝑃 𝑉𝑃
𝐼𝑎𝐴 = ∠−𝜃, 𝐼𝑏𝐵 = ∠ − 𝜃 − 120° , 𝐼𝑐𝐶 = ∠ − 𝜃 + 120° (d)
𝑍 𝑍 𝑍

The line currents have equal magnitudes and differ in phase by 1200. IbB and IcC can be
calculated from IaA by subtracting and adding 1200 to the phase angle of IaA.

The current in the wire connecting the neutral node of the souce to the neutral node
of the load is

𝑉𝑝
𝐼𝑁𝑛 = 𝐼𝑎𝐴 + 𝐼𝑏𝐵 + 𝐼𝑐𝐶 = (∠10° + 1∠ − 120° + 1∠120°)
𝑍∠𝜃

𝐼𝑁𝑛 = 0 (𝑒)

There is no current in the wire connecting the neutral node of the source to the neutral node
of the load.

Because effective, or rms, values of the sinusoidal voltages and currents have been used
instead of peak values, the appropriate formulas for power are those given in the “rms
values” column of table 1. The average power delivered to the load is

𝑉𝑝 𝑉𝑝 𝑉𝑝
𝑃 = 𝑃𝐴 + 𝑃𝐵 + 𝑃𝐶 = 𝑉𝑝 𝑐𝑜𝑠(−𝜃) + 𝑉𝑝 𝑐𝑜𝑠(−𝜃) + 𝑉𝑝 𝑐𝑜𝑠(−𝜃)
𝑍 𝑍 𝑍

𝑉𝑝 2
𝑃=3 𝑐𝑜𝑠(−𝜃) (𝑓)
𝑍
Where, for example, PA is the average power absorbed by ZA. Equal power is absorbed by
each impedance of the three-phase load., ZA, ZB, and ZC. it is not necessary to calculate PA,
PB, and PC separately. The average power delivered to the load can be determined by
calculating PA and multiplying by 3.

Next, consider the three wire Y-to-Y circuit shown in figure 4. The phase voltages
of the Y-connected source are 𝑉𝑎 = 𝑉𝑃 ∠ 0° 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 , 𝑉𝑏 = 𝑉𝑃 ∠ − 120° 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 , and 𝑉𝑐 =
𝑉𝑃 ∠120° 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 . The first step in the analysis of this circuit is to calculate VNn, the voltage
at the neutral node of the three-pase load with respect to the voltage at the neutral node of
the three phase source. (This step wasn’t needed when the four-wire Y-to-Y circuit was
analyzed because the fourth wire forced VNn= 0). It is convenient to select node n, the
neutral node of the three-phase source, to be the reference node. Then Va, Vb, Vc, and VNn
are the node voltages of the circuit. Write a node at node N to get

𝑉𝑎 − 𝑉𝑁𝑛 𝑉𝑏 − 𝑉𝑁𝑛 𝑉𝑐 − 𝑉𝑁𝑛

0= + +
𝑍𝐴 𝑍𝐵 𝑍𝐶

(𝑉𝑃 ∠ 0°) − 𝑉𝑁𝑛 (𝑉𝑃 ∠ − 120°) − 𝑉𝑁𝑛 (𝑉𝑃 ∠ 120°) − 𝑉𝑁𝑛

= + + (𝑔)
𝑍𝐴 𝑍𝐵 𝑍𝐶

Solving for 𝑉𝑁𝑛 gives

(𝑉𝑃 ∠ − 120°)𝑍𝐴 𝑍𝐶 + (𝑉𝑃 ∠120°)𝑍𝐴 𝑍𝐵 + (𝑉𝑃 ∠0°)𝑍𝐵 𝑍𝐶

𝑉𝑁𝑛 = (ℎ)
𝑍𝐴 𝑍𝐶 + 𝑍𝐴 𝑍𝐵 + 𝑍𝐵 𝑍𝐶

Once 𝑉𝑁𝑛 has been determined, the line currents can be calculated using

Va −VNn Vb −VNn Vc −VNn

IaA = , IbB = , IcC = (i)
ZA ZB ZC

Analysis of the three wire Y-to-Y circuit is much simpler when the circuit is balanced, that
is when ZA = ZB = ZC = Z = Z∠θ. When the circuit is balanced becomes

(VP ∠ − 120°)ZZ + (VP ∠120°)ZZ + (VP ∠0°)ZZ

VNn =
ZZ + ZZ + ZZ

= [(VP ∠ − 120°) + (VP ∠120°) + (VP ∠0°)]/ 3

VNn = 0 (j)
When a three-wire Y-to-Y circuit is balanced, it is not necessary to write and solve a node
equation to find VNn because VNn is known to be zero. Recall that VNn = 0 in the four wire
Y-to-Y circuit. The balanced three wire Y-to-Y circuit acts like the balanced four wire Y-
to-Y circuit. In particular, the line currents are given by eq. (d), and the average power
delivered to the load is given by eq. (f).

Ideally, the transmission line connecting the load to the source can be modeled
using short circuit. That’s what was done in both fig. 1 and fig. 2. Sometimes it is
appropriate to model the lines connecting the load to te source as impedances. For
example, this is done when comparing the power that is delivered to the load to the power
that is absorbed by the transmission line. Fig. 3 shows a three-wire Y to Y circuit in which
the transmission line impedance ZaA, ZbB, and ZcC. The line impedances do not
significantly complicate the analysis of the circuit because each line impedance is
connected in series with a load impedance. After replacing series impedances by
equivalent impedances, the analysis proceeds as before,. If the circuit is not balanced, a
node equation is written and solved to determine VNn . Once VNn has been determined, the
line currents can be calculated from the line currents and the load and line impedances .

Analysis of balanced Y-to-Y circuit in simpler than analysis of unbalanced Y-to-Y

circuit in several ways:

1. VNn = 0. It is not necessary to write and solve anode equation to determine VNn .
2. The line currents have equal magnitudes and differ in phase by 1200. IbB and IcC can
be calculated from IaA by subtracting and adding 1200 to the phase angle of IaA.
3. Equal power is absorbed by each impedance of the three phase load, ZA, ZB, and
ZCit is not necessary to calculate PA, PB, and PC separately.The average power
delivered to the load can be determined by calculating PA and multiplying by 3.

The key to analysis of the balanced Y-to-Y circuit circuit is calculation of

the line current, IaA. The per-phase equivalent circuit provide the information
needed to the line current, IaA. This equivalent circuit consists of the voltage source
and impedances in one phase of the three phases of the three-phase circuit. Figure 6
shows the per-phase equivalent circuit corresiponding to the three-phase circuit
shown in Figure 5.The neutral nodes, n and N, are connected by a short circuit in
the per-phase equivalent circuit indecate that VNn= 0 in a balanced Y-to-Y
 circuit.The per-phase equivalent circuit can be used to analyze either three-wire or
four-wire balanced Y-to-Y circuits, but it can be used only for balanced cicuits.The
behavior of a balanced Y-to-Y circuit is summarized in table 1.

(Figure 5 ) (Figure 6 )

(Tabel 1)

2. THE ∆ CONNECTED SOURCE AND LOAD

This generator connection, however,is seldom used in practice because any slight
imbalance in magnitude or phase of the three phase voltages will not result in a zerosum.
The result will be a large circulating current in the generator coils that will heat the
generator and depreciate the efficiency of the generator. For example, consider the
condition
 Vab = 120 ∠0°

Vbc = 120.1 ∠ − 121°

Vca = 120.2 ∠121°

if the total resistance around the loop is 1 Ω, we can calculate the circulating current as

I = (Vab + Vbc + Vca ) / 1

= 120 + 120.1 (-0.515 – j0.857) + 120.2 ( -0.515 + j0.857)

≅ 120 − 1.03 (120.15)

≅ −3.75 𝐴

Which would be unacceptable.

Therefore, we will consider only a Y- connected source as practical at the source

side and consider both the ∆- connected load and the Y – connected load at the load side.

the ∆-to-Y and Y to ∆ transformations convert ∆ connected loads to equivalent Y

connected loads and vice versa. These transformations are summarized in table. Given the
impedances, Z1, Z2, Z3, of a ∆ connected load, in table provides the formulas that are
required to determine the impedances, Za, Zb, Zc , of the equivalent Y connected load.
These three phase loads are said to be equivalent because replacing the ∆- connected load
by the Y – connected load will not change any of the voltages or currents of the three phase
source or three phase line.

The ∆ to Y and Y to ∆ transformation are significantly simpler when the loads are
balanced. Suppose the ∆ connected load is balanced, that is , Z1 = Z2 = Z3 = Z∆. The
equivalen Y connected load also be balanced, so Za = Zb = Zc = Zy. Then we have

𝑍∆
Zy = 3

Therefore, if we have a Y connected source and a balanced ∆ connected load with

𝑍∆
Z∆. We convert the ∆ load to a Y load with Zy = 3

Va 3 Va
IA = Zy = Z∆
 Thus, we will consider only the Y to Y configuration. If the Y to ∆ conviguration
is encountered, the ∆ connected load is converted to a Y connected load equivalent, and
the resulting currents and voltages are calculated.

Tabel 2. Y to ∆ and ∆ to Y conversions

3. THE Y TO Δ CIRCUIT

Now, let us cnsider teh Y-to-Δ as shown in Figure7. Applying KCL at the nodes of
the – Δ-connected load shows that the relation between the line currents and phase currents
is

𝐼𝑎𝐴 = 𝐼𝐴𝐵 − 𝐼𝐶𝐴

𝐼𝑏𝐵 = 𝐼𝐵𝐶 − 𝐼𝐴𝐵

𝐼𝑐𝐶 = 𝐼𝐶𝐴 − 𝐼𝐵𝐶 (1)

The goal is to calculate the line and phase currents for the load.

The phase currents in the Δ-connected load can be calculated from the line-to-line
voltages.these line-to-line voltages appear directly across the impedances of the Δ-
connected load. For example VAB appears acroos Z3, so
 𝑉𝐴𝐵
𝐼𝐴𝐵 = (2)
𝑍3

𝑉𝐶𝐴 𝑉𝐵𝐶
𝐼𝐶𝐴 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼𝐵𝐶 = (3)
𝑍2 𝑍1

When the load is balanced, the phase currents is the load have the same magnitude
and have phase angle that differ by 120o . for example, if the three-phase source has the abc
sequence and

Figure 7. A T-to- Δ three-phase circuit

Figure 8. Phasor diagram for currents of a Δ load

𝐼𝐴𝐵 = I< ∅, then 𝐼𝐶𝐴 = l< ∅ + 120°. The line curent 𝐼𝐶𝐴 is calculated as

𝐼𝑎𝐴 = 𝐼𝐴𝐵 − 𝐼𝐶𝐴

 = 𝐼 cos ∅ + 𝐽𝐼 sin ∅ − 𝐼 cos(∅ + 120°) − 𝐽𝐼 sin(∅ + 120°)

= −2𝐼 sin(∅ + 60°) sin(−60°) + 𝐽2𝐼 cos(∅ + 60°) sin(−60°)

= √3 𝐼 [sin(∅ + 60°) − 𝐽 cos(∅ + 60°)] (4)

= √3 𝐼 [cos(∅ − 30°) − 𝑗 sin(∅ − 30°)]

= √3 𝐼 < ∅ − 30° 𝐴 (5)

|𝐼𝑎𝐴| = √3|𝐼|

Therefore

𝐼𝐿 = √3𝐼𝑝

And the line current magnitude is √3 times the phase current magnitude. This result can
also be obtained from the phasor diagram shown in figure 8. In a Δ connection. The line
current is √3 times the phase current and is displaced - 30°. In phase. The line-to-line
voltage is equal to the phase voltage.

Example 1 Blanced Y-Δ circuit

Consider the three – phase circuit shown in figure 7. The voltages of the Y-connected
source are

220 220 220

𝑉𝑎 = < −30° 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠, 𝑉𝑏 = < −150° 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠, , 𝑉𝑐 = < 90° 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠
√3 √3 √3
The Δ-connected load is balanced. The impedance of each phase is Z3= 10< −50° Ω.
Determine the phase and line current.

Solution :

The line –to-line voltages are calculated from the phase voltages of the source as

220 220
𝑉𝐴𝐵 = 𝑉𝑎 − 𝑉𝑏 = < −30° − < −150° = 220 < 0° 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠
√3 √3
220 220
𝑉𝑏𝑐 = 𝑉𝑏 − 𝑉𝑐 = < −150° − < 90° = 220 < −120° 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠
√3 √3
220 220
𝑉𝑐𝑎 = 𝑉𝑐 − 𝑉𝑎 = < 90° − < −30° = 220 < −240° 𝑉 𝑟𝑚𝑠
√3 √3
The phase voltage of Δ-connected load are equal to the line-to line voltages. The phase
current are

𝑉𝐴𝐵 220 < 0°

𝐼𝐴𝐵 = = = 22 < 50° 𝐴 𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝑍 10 < −50°
𝑉𝐵𝐶 220 < −120°
𝐼𝐵𝐶 = = = 22 < −70° 𝐴 𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝑍 10 < −50°
𝑉𝐶𝐴 220 < −240°
𝐼𝐶𝐴 = = = 22 < −190° 𝐴 𝑟𝑚𝑠
𝑍 10 < −50°
The line currents are

𝐼𝑎𝐴 = 𝐼𝐴𝐵 − 𝐼𝐶𝐴 = 22 < 50° − 22 < −190° = 22√3 < 20° 𝐴 𝑟𝑚𝑠

𝐼𝑏𝐵 = 22√3 < −100° 𝐴 𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼𝑐𝐶 = 22√3 < −220° 𝐴 𝑟𝑚𝑠

4. BALANCED THREE-PHASE CIRCUIT

We have only two possible practical configuration for three-phase circuit. Y-to-Y and Y-
to-∆, and we can convert the letter to a Y-to-Y form. Thus, a practical three-phase circuit
can always be converted to the Y-to-Y circuit.

Balanced circuit are easier to analyze than unbalanced circuits. Earlier, we saw the
balanced three-phase Y-to-Y circuits can be analyze using a per-phase aquivalent circuit.

The circuit shown in Figure 9a is a balanced Y-to-∆ circuit. Figure 9b shown the
equivalent Y-to-Y circuit in which
𝑍𝑦
Zy = 3

This Y-to-Y circuit can be analyzed usng the per-phase equivalent circuit shown in Figure
9c
 Figure 9 (a) A Y-to-∆, circuit, (b) the equivalent Y-to-Y, and (c) the per-phase equivalent
circuit

5. INSTANTANEOUS AND AVERAGE POWER IN A BALANCED THREE-

PHASE LOAD

One advantage of three-phase power is the smooth flow of energy to the load. Consider
a balanced load with resistance R. Then the instantaneous power is
𝑉 2 𝑎𝑏 𝑉 2 𝑏𝑐 𝑉 2 𝑐𝑧
p(t) = + + (1)
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅

where Vab = V cos 𝜔t, and the other two-phase voltages have a phase of±120˚,
respectively Furthermore,

𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼𝑡 = ( 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝛼 )/2

Therefore,
 𝑉2
p(t) = 2𝑅 [ 1 + cos2𝜔t + 1 + cos2 (𝜔t - 120˚) + 1 + cos2 (𝜔t - 240˚)]

3𝑉 2 𝑉2
= + 2𝑅 [cos 2𝜔t + cos (2𝜔t - 240˚) + cos (2𝜔t - 480˚)] (2)
2𝑅

The bracketed tern is equal to zero for all time. Hence,

3𝑉 2
p(t) = 2𝑅

The instantaneous power delivered to a balanced three-phase load is a constant

The total power delivered to a balanced three-phase load can be calculated using
the per-phase equivalent circuit. For example, we multiply the complex powr delivered to a
load in the per-phase equivalent circuit by 3 to obtain the total complex power delivered to
the corresponding balanced three-phase load.

Consider, again, Figure 9. Figure 9(a) shows a balanced Y-to-∆ circuit. Figure 9(b)
shows the equivalent Y-to-Y circuit, obtained using the ∆-to-Y transformation summarized
in table 2. Figure 9(c) shows the per-phase equivalent circuit corresponding to the Y-to-Y
circuit. The voltage 𝑉𝐴𝑁 = 𝑉𝑃 sudut𝜃𝐴𝑉 and the current 𝐼𝑎𝐴 = 𝐼𝐿 sudut𝜃𝐴𝑙 are obtained using
per-phase equivalent circuit. The voltage 𝑉𝐴𝑁 and the current 𝐼𝑎𝐴 are the phase voltage and
line current of the Y connected load in Figure 9(b). The total average power delivered to
the balanced Y- connected load is given by

(3)

Where θ is angle between the phase voltage and the line current, cosθ is power
factor, and Vp and Ip are effective values of the phase voltageand line current.

It is easier to measure the line-to-line voltage and the line current of a circuit. Also
recall that the line current equals the phase current and that the phase voltage is 𝑉𝑃 =
𝑉𝐿 /√3for the Y-load configuration, Therefore,

(4)

The total average power delivered to the ∆-connected load in Figure 9(a) is

(5)
In summary, the total average power delivered to the ∆-connected load in Figure 9(a) is
equal to the total average power delivered to the balance Y-connected load in Figure 9(b).
That’s appropriate because the two circuits are equivalent. Notice that the information
required to calculate the power delivered to a balanced load, Y or ∆, is obtained from the
per-phase equivalent circuit.

6. INSTANEOUS AND AVERAGE POWER IN A BALANCED THREE-

PHASE LOAD

One andventage of tree-phase power is smooth flow of energy to the load. Consider a
balanced load with resistance R. Then the resistance power is
V²ab V²bc V²ca
p(t)= + + (1)
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅

where vab = V cos t, and other two-phase voltages have a phase of ±120° , respectively,
Furthermore,

cos2 αt = (1+ cos2a)/2

therefore,
V²
p(t)= 𝑅 [1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2ω𝑡 + 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2(ω𝑡 − 120°) + 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2(ω𝑡 − 240°)]
3V² V²
= 2𝑅 + [𝑐𝑜𝑠2ω𝑡 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2(ω𝑡 − 240°) + 𝑐𝑜𝑠(2ω𝑡 − 480°)] (2)
𝑅

The bracketed term is equal to zero for all time. Hence,

3V²
p(t)= 2𝑅

The instantaneous power delivered to a balanced three-phase load is a constant.

The total delivered to a balanced three-phase load can be calculated using the per-
phase equivalent circuit. For example, we multiply the complex power delivered to a load
in the per-phase equivalent circuit by 3 to obtain the total complex power delivered to the
corresponding balanced three-phase load.

Consider, again. Figure 9(a) shows a balanced Y-to-∆ circuit. Figure 9(b) shows the
equivalent Y-to-Y circuit, obtained using the ∆-to-Y transformation summarized in Table1.
Figure 9(c) shows the three-phase equivalent circuit corresponding to the Y-to-Y circuit.
The voltage VAN= Vp<ɵAV and the current IaA=IL<ɵAI are obtained using per-phase
equivalent circuit. The volage VAN and the current IaA are the phase voltage and line current
of the Y-connected load in Figure 9(b). the total average power delivered to the balanced
Y-connected load is given by.

PY=3 PA =3 VPIL cos(ɵAV-ɵAI)= 3 VPILcos(ɵ) (3)

Where ɵ is the angle between the phase voltage and the line current, cos ɵ is the
power factor, and VP and IP are effective values of the phase voltage and line current.

It is easier to measure the line-to-line voltage and the line current of a circuit. Also
recall that the line current equals the phase current and that the phase voltage is VP =VL /√3
for the Y-load configuration. Therefore,
VL
P=3 √3 𝐼𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠ɵ = √3VLIL cosɵ (4)

The total average power delivered to the ∆-connected load in Figure 9(a) is
VL
P=3PAB=3VABI cosɵ= 3(√3VP)√3 𝐼𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠ɵ = √3VLIL cosɵ (5)

In summar, the total average power delivered to the ∆-connected load in Figure 9(a) is
equal to the total average power delivered to the balanced Y-connected load in Figure 9(b).
That’s appropriate because the two circuit are equivalent. Notice that the information
required calculated the power delivered to a balanced load, Y or ∆, is obtained from the
per-phase equivalent circuit.

7. TWO-WATTMETER POWER MEASUREMENT

For many load configurations, for example, a three-phase motor, the phase current or
voltage is inaccessible. We may wish to measure power with a wattmeter connected to
each phase. However because the phases are not available, we measure the line currents
and the line-to-line voltages. A wattmeter provides a reading of VL IL cos 𝜃 where VL and
IL are the rms magnitudes and 𝜃 is the angle between the line voltage, V, and the current, I.
We choose to measure VL and IL, the line voltage and current, respectively. We will show
that two wattmeters are sufficient to read the power delivered to the three-phase load, as
shown in Figure 10. We use cc to denote current coil and vc to denote voltage coil.

Wattmeter 1 reads

P1 = VAB IA cos 𝜃1 (1)

And wattmeter 2 reads

P1 = VCB IC cos 𝜃2 (2)

For the abc phasa sequence for a balanced load,

 𝜃1 = 𝜃 + 30o

and

𝜃2 = 𝜃 + 30o (3)

Figure 10. Two –wattmeter connection Figure 11. Two –wattmeter connection
for a three-phase Y-connected load for Example

Where 𝜃 is the angel between the phase current and the phase voltage for phase a of
the three-phase source.

Therefore,

P = P1 + P2 = 2 VL IL cos 𝜃 cos 30o = √3 VL IL cos 𝜃 (4)

Which is the total average power of the three-phase circuit. The preceding
derivation of eq. (4) is for a balance circuit the result is good for any three-phase, three-
wire load, even unbalanced unbalanced or nonsinusoidal voltages.

The power factor angle , 𝜃, of a balance three-phase system may be determined

from the reading of the two wattmeter shown in Figure 11.

The total power is obtained from (1) through (3) as

P = P1 + P2 = VL IL [cos (𝜃 + 30o) + cos (𝜃 - 30o)]

= 2 VL IL cos 𝜃 cos 30o (5)

Similarly,

P1 - P2 = VL IL (-2 sin 𝜃 cos 30o ) (6)

Dividing

𝑃1 + 𝑃2 2 cos 𝜃 cos 30° −√3

= −2 sin 𝜃 cos 30° = tan 𝜃
𝑃1 − 𝑃2

Therefore,
𝑃 −𝑃
tan 𝜃 = √3 𝑃1∓𝑃 2 (7)
1 2