Topic 4 : 3-Phase, 4-Wire Star-Connected Unbalanced LOAD Circuits

In 3-phase, 4-wire, star-connected load circuits the star points of load and the generator are tied together through , neutral wire
of zero, impedance, therefore, they are at the same potential and voltage across each impedance is same and equal to phase
voltage irrespective of the fact that the circuit is balanced or unbalanced. The three phase currents or line currents, rents can be
determined by dividing the phase voltage by the impedance of the concerned phase

VR VY VB
i.e IR = IY = and IB =

ZR ZY ZB

The current in neutral wire can be determined by applying Kirchhoff's first

law at star point N according to which IR + IY + IB + IN = 0
or current in neutral wire, IN - (IR + IY + IB )
In balanced load circuits the line currents are equal and have the same
phase angles with their respective phase voltages, so their vector sum is
zero and current in neutral wire is zero. Since in balanced star connected
load circuits, neutral wire carries no current and therefore is usually

Quick Quiz
Figure (9.5)

Example 9.4 Example 9.5

A 3 phase star connected system with 230 volts between each phase a neutral has resistances of 4, 5 and 6 respectively in
the three phases. Estimate the current flowing in each phase and the neutral current. Find the total power absorbed.
[ A.M.I.E Sec. B winter 1997 ]

Solution P.D. across each resistance, V = 230 volt

230
Current in 4 resistances, IR= = 57.5 A.
4

230
Current in 5 resistance, Iy= = 46 A
5

230
Current in 6 resistance, IB = = 38.33 A Ans .
6

( a ) Circuit Diagram ( b ) Vector Diagram

Since circuit is purely resistive, so currents will be in phase with their respective voltages and will be mutually 120 apart. So
taking R the current in 4 resistance along X-axis, the line currents are given as

I R = 57.5 (1 + j 0 )

Iy = 46 (- 0.5 - j 0.866)

IB = 38.337 (- 0.5 - j 0.866)

Current in netural wire ,

IN = - [57.5 (1 + j 0) + 46 (-0.5 - j 0.866) + 38.33 (- 0.5 + j 0.866 )] = -15.34 + j 6.63

IN= ( (-15.34)2 + (6.63)2) = 1671 A

= tan-1 ( 6.63 / ( - 15.34)) = 156.6

Total power absorbed , p = V ( I1 + I2 + I3 ) = 230 ( 57.5 + 46 +38.33 ) = 32.621 watts

Summary Of The Unit :

We have seen in this Unit that there are some differences between ac distribution and dc distribution such as; voltage
drop, mathematical calculations, and methods of expressing quantities. There are two ways of referring power factor
namely (1) with reference to receiving end voltage and (2) with reference to respective load voltages.

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