Chapter 1

Three Phase System

 CONTENTS
• Three phase voltages generation and the phase
sequence
• Three phase connection in balanced load and
unbalanced load (Wye and Delta)
• Relationship between line and phase values
• Power in three phase circuit
• Power measurement in three-phase circuit
 OBJECTIVES
• Become familiar with the operation of a three-phase
generator and the magnitude and phase relationship
connecting the three phase voltages.
• Be able to calculate the voltages and currents for a
three-phase Y/ ∆ -connected generator and load.
• Understand the significance of the phase sequence for
the generated voltages of a three-phase Y-connected
or ∆-connected generator
• Understand how to calculate the real, reactive, and
apparent power to all the elements of a Y- or ∆-
connected load and be able to measure the power to
the load.
 THREE PHASE VOLTAGES GENERATION
AND THE PHASE SEQUENCE

• Three-phase generator consists of three single-phase generators,

with voltages equal in magnitude but differing in phase angle from
the others by 120◦.
Volts

Magnitude

Phase Angle
• Three-phase generator connected to three identical loads.

• Each of these three generators could be connected to one of

three identical loads by a pair of wires.
• Phase Sequence of a three-phase power system is the order in
which the voltages in the individual phases peak.

• Three-phase power system may becomes ‘abc’ phase

sequence (positive) and also possible to connect as ‘acb’
phase sequence (negative).

abc Phase Sequence(positive) acb Phase Sequence(negative)

 THREE PHASE CONNECTION IN BALANCED LOAD AND
UNBALANCED LOAD (WYE AND DELTA)

• A three-phase system is equivalent to three single-phase

circuit
• Two possible configurations in three-phase system:
1. Y-connection (wye/star connection)
2. ∆-connection (delta connection)
A three-phase connections generator and load

Y-Connection ∆-connection
Generator

Load
• The point at which all the terminals are connected is called
the neutral point.
• If a conductor is not attached from this point to the load, the
system is called a Y-connected, three-phase, three-wire
generator.
• If the neutral is connected, the system is a Y-connected three-
phase, four-wire generator.
• The three conductors connected from A, B and C to the load
are called lines.
• Three-phase,4 wire Three-phase, 3 wire
• Balanced load = The power loading is split equally among all
three phases.
• Load on phase A=Load on phase B= Load on phase C
• The current is equal in all three phases

• When the load impedance in the three phases are not equal
in magnitude or phase or both, the load is said to
be unbalanced.
• If three unequal loads are connected to form a delta and
connected across a 3-phase supply the currents in the three
loads will not be equal in magnitude and/or phase. The three-
phase currents and the line currents will also be unbalanced.
Y-Connection
 Relationship between line and phase value in the Y-
Connection

• The voltages and currents in a given phase are called phase

quantities.
• The voltages between lines and currents in the lines connected
to the generators are called line quantities.
• Line voltage, Vab ; Vbc ; Vca
• Phase voltage, Van ; Vbn ; Vcn
 • The phase voltage in this generator are given by:

• The relationship between the magnitudes of the line-to-line(line) voltage

and line-to-neutral (phase) voltage is:

VAB  VAN  VBN

 VAN0  VBN  120
 VAN0  VAN  120
 VAN (10  1  120)
 VAN ((1  j0)  (0.5  j0.866))
 VAN (1.5  j0.866)
 VAN (1.73230)
VAB  3VAN30 VCA  VCN  VAN
 3VCN 150 VL leads Vφ by 30°
VBC  VBN  VCN
 3VBN   90
 •Figures show the line-to-line and
phase voltages for the
Y-connection.
(abc phase sequence)

• Since the load connected to this generator is assumed to be resistive,

the current in each phase of the generator will be at the same angle.

• The current in each phase:

• The current in any line is the same as the current in the corresponding
phase which is :
a) Phasor diagram of the line and phase voltages of a three-phase generator; (b)
demonstrating that the vector sum of the line voltages of a three-phase system is zero.

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Phase sequence (Y-connected generator)

ABC (Positive) Phase sequence

Phase voltage (in phasor):
E AN  E AN 0 (reference )
E BN  E BN   120
E CN  E CN 120
Line voltage (in phasor):
E AB  E AB 0 (reference )
E BC  E BC   120
E CA  E CA120

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Phase sequence (Y-connected generator)

ACB (Negative) Phase sequence

Phase voltage (in phasor):
E AN  E AN 0 (reference )
E CN  E CN   120
E BN  E BN 120
Line voltage (in phasor):
E AB  E AB 0 (reference )
E CA  E CA  120
E BC  E BC 120

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Y-Connected Generator with a Y-Connected Load
• Loads connected with three-phase supplies are of two types: the Y
and the ∆.
• If a Y-connected load is connected to a Y-connected generator, the
system is symbolically represented by Y-Y
• If the load is balanced, the neutral connection can be removed
without affecting the circuit in any manner; that is, if Z1 = Z2 = Z3,
then IN will be zero

The currents flowing in the three phases are:

IA IB IC
 EXAMPLE 1

Calculate the line currents in the three-wire Y-Y system as

shown below
 SOLUTION
• Due to the three-phase circuit is balanced; we may replace it
with its single-phase equivalent circuit

• Phase “a” equivalent circuit:

 VAN
I Aa  ;
ZT
ZT  (5  j 2)  (10  j8)  16.15521.8
1100
I Aa   6.81  21.8
16.15521.8
• Since the source voltage are in positive (ABC) phase
sequence, the line currents are also in positive sequence:

I Bb  I Aa   120
 6.81  141.8A

I Cc  I Aa   240
 6.81  261.8  6.8198.2A
 EXAMPLE 2

A 208-V three-phase power system is shown in above figure. It consists of an

ideal 208-V Y-connected three-phase generator connected through a three-
phase transmission line to a Y-connected load. The transmission line has an
impedance of 0.06+ j 0.12Ω per phase, and the load has an impedance of 12
+ j9Ω per phase. Find
(a) The magnitude of the line current, I L
(b) The magnitude of the load’s line and phase voltages VLL and V
 SOLUTION

(a) The line current flowing in the per-phase equivalent circuit is given by:

V
I line 
Z line  Z load
1200

(0.06  j 0.12)  (12  j 9)
1200 1200
 
12.06  j 9.12 15.1237.1
 7.94  37.1 A

 The magnitude of the line current is thus 7.94 A

(b)The phase voltage on the load is the voltage across one phase of the
load. This voltage is the product of the phase impedance and the
phase current of the load:

V L  I L Z L
 (7.94  37.1 A)(12  j 9)
 (7.94  37.1 A)(1536.9)
 119.1  0.2V
• Therefore, the magnitude of the load’s phase voltage is
V L  119.1V
• And the magnitude of the load’s line voltage is

VLL  3V L  206.3V

Balanced Y-Δ Connection

• There is no neutral connection for the Y-∆ system as shown

below.
• Any variation in the impedance of a phase that produces an
unbalanced system will simply vary the line and phase currents
of the system.
• For a balanced load, Z1 = Z2 = Z3 = ZΔ
• The voltage across each phase of the load is equal to the line
voltage of the generator for a balanced or an unbalanced
load: Vɸ = EL.
• Assuming the positive sequence:
– the phase voltage are:

– The line voltages are:

Vab  3Vp 30  VAB Vbc  3VBN   90  VBC Vca  3VCN 150  VCA

– The phase current is

 EXAMPLE 3
• A balanced positive sequence Y-connected source with VAN
= 10010 V is connected to a -connected balanced load
(8+j4)  per phase. Calculate the phase and line currents.
 SOLUTION
• Balanced WYE source, VAN = 10010 V
• Balanced DELTA load, Z = 8 + j4 
• Phase currents:

VAB  3 VAN 30  Vab

 3 (10010)30
 Vab  173.210  30  173.240V
Vab
Iab 
ZΔ
173.240
 Iab   19.3613.43 A
8  j4
 Ibc  Iab   120  Iab 13.43  120
 Ibc  19.36  106.57 A

Ica  Iab 120  19.3613.43  120

 Ica  19.36133.43 A

Line currents:

I Aa  3 I ab   30
 3 (19.36) 13.43  30
I Aa  33.53   16.57 A

 I Bb  I Aa   120  33.53   136.57 A

 I Cc  I Aa   120  33.53 103.43 A
 EXAMPLE 4

A 208-V three-phase power system is shown in above figure. It consists of an

ideal 208-V Y-connected three-phase generator connected through a three-
phase transmission line to a Δ -connected load. The transmission line has an
impedance of 0.06+ j 0.12Ω per phase, and the load has an impedance of 12
+ j9Ω per phase. Find
(a) The magnitude of the line current, I L
(b) The magnitude of the load’s line and phase voltages VLL and V
 SOLUTION

Convert ∆ connected to an equivalent Y form. The phase impedance of the ∆

connected load is 12 +j9 Ω so the equivalent phase impedance of the
corresponding Y form is Z
ZY  
 4  j3
3
(a) The line current flowing in the per-phase equivalent circuit is given by:
V
I line 
Z line  Z load
1200

(0.06  j 0.12)  (4  j 3)
1200 1200
 
4.06  j 3.12 5.1237.5
 23.4  37.5 A

The magnitude of the line current is thus 23.4 A

(b)The phase voltage on the equivalent Y load is the voltage across one
phase of the load. This voltage is the product of the phase
impedance and the phase current of the load:

V L  I ' L Z ' L
 23.4  37.5 A)(4  j 3)
 (23.4  37.5 A)(536.9)
 117  0.6V

• The original load was ∆ connected so the phase voltage of the

original load is

V L  3(117)  203V

• And the magnitude of the load’s line voltage is

VLL  V L  203V
∆ -Connection
 Relationship between line and phase value in the ∆ -
Connection

• Phase voltage, Vab ; Vbc ; Vca

• The phase voltage in this generator are given by:

• The line-to-line voltage between any two lines will be the same as
the voltage in the corresponding phase. So :
  Unlike the line current for the Y-connected generator, the line
current for the ∆-connected system is not equal to the phase current.
The relationship between the two can be found by applying
Kirchhoff’s current law at one of the nodes and solving for the line
current in terms of the phase current; that is, at node A,
IBA = IAa + IAC
or
IAa = IBA - IAC = IBA + ICA

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Definition of Phase Current

In 3-phase system, for ∆-connected, the current that flow from one
phase to another is called a phase current.

IBA – phase A current

ICB – phase B current
IAC – phase C current

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Definition of Line Current

In 3-phase system, for ∆-connected, the current that flow through

the line is called a line current.

IAa – line A current

IBb – line B current
ICc – line C current

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∆ -Connected system (Generator)

Line current:
IAa ; IBb ; ICc

Phase current:
for generator:
IBA ; IAC ; ICB

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∆ -Connected system (Load)

Line current:
IAa ; IBb ; ICc

Phase current:
for load:
Iab ; Ibc ; Ica

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 Current in ∆ -Connected system (Generator Side)

For 3-phase ∆-connected system (generator), if the phase current

IBA is taken as the reference, so

I BA  I BA0
ICB  ICB  120

I AC  I AC120
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Current in ∆ -Connected system (Generator Side)

By applying Kirchhoff’s Current Law, the line current can be written

as

I Aa I BA I AC
 I BA0  I BA120
 I BA (10  1120)
 I BA (1  j0  (0.5  j0.866))
 I BA (1.5  j0.866)
 I BA (1.732  30)

I Aa  3I BA  30 A
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 Current in ∆ -Connected system (Generator Side)

With the same method,

I Bb  I CB  I BA
 3I CB  150
and

I Cc  I AC  I CB
 3I AC90
42
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 Current in ∆ -Connected system (Load Side)

For 3-phase ∆-connected system (load), if the phase current Iab is

taken as the reference, so

Iab  Iab 0

I bc  I bc  120

Ica  Ica 120

43
Chapter 1: Three Phase System Syafruddin Hasan
 Current in ∆ -Connected system (Load Side)

By applying Kirchhoff’s Current Law, the line current can be written

as
I Aa I ab I ca
 I ab 0  I ab 120
 I ab (10  1120)
 I ab (1  j0  (0.5  j0.866))
 I ab (1.5  j0.866)
 I ab (1.732  30)

I Aa  3Iab   30 A
44
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 Current in ∆ -Connected system (Load Side)

With the same method,

I Bb  I bc  I ab
 3I bc  150
and
I Cc  I ca  I bc
 3I ca 90
EET208-Electrical Power Technology Syafruddin Hasan 45
 ∆ -Connected system

The relationship between the line current and the phase current
can be represented as

I L  3Iφ  30
Where; IL : line current
Iφ = Ip : phase current

IL lags Iφ by 30°
EET208-Electrical Power Technology Syafruddin Hasan 46
  The phasor diagram is shown below for a balanced load.
 In general, line current is:

I Aa  3I BA  30 Line current

Phase current

I Bb  3I CB  150

ICc  3I AC90

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Phase sequence (Δ -connected generator)

 Even though the line and phase voltages of a ∆ -connected

system are the same, it is standard practice to describe the phase
sequence in terms of the line voltages

 In drawing such a diagram, one must take care to have the

sequence of the first and second subscripts the same

 In phasor notation,
EAB = EAB 0o = Ep 0o
EBC = EBC 120o = Ep 120o
ECA = ECA 120o = Ep 120o

ABC (positive) phase sequence

48
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Phase sequence (Δ -connected generator)

 In phasor notation,
ACB (negative) Phase EAB = EAB 0o
EBC = EBC 120o
sequence ECA = ECA -120o

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• Because the load is resistive, the phase current are given by:

• The relationship between the magnitudes of the line and

phase currents is:

• Figures show the line and

phase currents for the
∆ -connection.
(abc phase sequence)
 EXAMPLE 5 (∆ -Connected Generator with a ∆ -
Connected Load)
• A balanced delta connected load having an impedance 20 -
j15  is connected to a delta connected, positive sequence
generator having VAB = 3300 V. Calculate the phase
currents of the load and the line currents.

 ZΔ  20  j15   25  36.87

 VAB  3300 V
 SOLUTION
• Phase currents of the load
Vab 3300
I ab    13.236.87A
ZΔ 25  38.87

I bc  I ab   120  36.87  13.2 - 83.13A

I ca  I ab   120  36.87  13.2156.87A
• Line currents.

I Aa  I ab 3  30

 13.236.87 3  30 
 22.866.87 A
I Bb  I Aa   120  6.87  22.86 - 113.13 A
I Cc  I Aa   120  6.87  22.86126.87 A
 EXAMPLE 6 (∆ -Connected Generator with a Y-
Connected Load)
A balanced Y-connected load with a phase impedance 40 +
j25  is supplied by a balanced, positive-sequence Δ-
connected source with a line voltage of 210 V. Calculate the
line currents. Use VAB as reference
 SOLUTION
The load impedance, ZY and the source voltage, VAB are

 ZY  40  j25  47.1732 
 VAB  2100 V
When the ∆-connected source is transformed to a Y-connected
source

VAB
Van    30
3
2100
 1  30
3
 121.2-30 V
• Line current: P  3V I cos 
P  3I2 Z cos 
Q  3V I sin 
Q  3I2 Z sin 
S  3V I
S  3I2 Z
Summary of relationships in Y and ∆ -Connections

Y-Connections ∆ -Connections
Voltage Magnitude

Current Magnitude
abc phase sequence

acb phase sequence

Power in three-phase circuit (Phase Quantities)

• Apply to each phase of a Y- or ∆- connected three-phase

load.
1) Real, P
P  3V I cos 
P  3I2 Z cos 
2) Reactive, Q
Q  3V I sin 
The angle θ is again the angle between
Q  3I Z sin 
2
the voltage and current in any phase of
the load ( it is the same in all phases),
and the power factor of the load is the
3) Apparent, S
cosine of the impedance angle θ
S  3V I
S  3I2 Z
Power in three-phase circuit (Line Quantities)

• Y-Connected load:
1) Real, P
The power consumed by a load is given by
P  3V I cos 

I L  I
VLL  3V
VLL
P  3( ) I L cos 
3
P 3VLL I L cos 
2) Reactive, Q
Q  3VLL I L sin 

3) Apparent, S
S  3VLL I L
• ∆-Connected load:
1) Real, P
P  3V I cos 
I L  3 I
VLL  V
IL
P  3VLL ( ) cos 
3
 P  3VLL I L cos 

2) Reactive, Q

Q  3VLL I L sin 

3) Apparent, S
S  3VLL I L
 EXAMPLE 7

A 208-V three-phase power system is shown in above figure. It consists of an

ideal 208-V Y-connected three-phase generator connected through a three-
phase transmission line to a Y-connected load. The transmission line has an
impedance of 0.06+ j 0.12Ω per phase, and the load has an impedance of 12
+ j9Ω per phase. Find
(a) the real, reactive and apparent powers consumed by the load
(b) the power factor of the load
 SOLUTION
(a) The real power consumed by the load is
Pload  3V L I L cos 
 3(119.1V )(7.94 A) cos 36.9
 2270W
The reactive power consumed by the load is
Qload  3V L I L sin 
 3(119.1V )(7.94 A)sin 36.9
 1702 var
The apparent power consumed by the load is
Sload  3V L I L
 3(119.1V )(7.94 A)
 2839VA

(b) The load power factor is PFload  cos 

 cos 36.9
 0.8lagging
 EXAMPLE 8

A 208-V three-phase power system is shown in above figure. It consists of an

ideal 208-V Y-connected three-phase generator connected through a three-
phase transmission line to a Δ -connected load. The transmission line has an
impedance of 0.06+ j 0.12Ω per phase, and the load has an impedance of 12
+ j9Ω per phase. Find
(a) the real, reactive and apparent powers consumed by the load
(b) the power factor of the load
 SOLUTION
(a) The real power consumed by the equivalent Y load is
Pload  3V L I L cos 
 3(117V )(23.4 A) cos 36.9
 6571W
The reactive power consumed by the load is
Qload  3V L I L sin 
 3(117V )(23.4 A)sin 36.9
 4928 var
The apparent power consumed by the load is
Sload  3V L I L
 3(117V )(23.4 A)
 8213VA
(b) The load power factor is PFload  cos 
 cos 36.9
 0.8lagging