EE 353 Electric Circuits III 2014-2015; 2nd Semester

Three Phase Balanced System

Engr. Justiniano B. Menes Jr.

THREE PHASE SYSTEMS

A polyphase system consists of two or more equal voltages with fixed differences which supplies
power to loads connected to the lines. It is basically an AC system composed of a certain number of
single-phase AC system having the same frequency and operating in sequence.
A three phase AC circuit is powered by three voltage sine waves having the same frequency and
magnitude which are displaced by 120°. The phase shift between each voltage waveform of a three-
phase ac power source is therefore 120° (360°/3 phases).

Generation of Three Phase Voltages

Three phase system consists of three parts: a three phase source, a three phase load and a
transmission line. Three phase voltages are generated based on the given figures. For a two pole
stationary armature, rotating field type three phase alternator, as the poles rotate in clockwise
direction, it is observed that maximum cutting of flux occur at a-a’. Since the poles produces the
magnetic lines of force (flux) cut by the armature in the stator, at the indicated position in the figure
below, the conductor a-a’ is perpendicular with respect to the flux produced by the poles therefore
cutting the most number of flux. Following the clockwise rotation, when the pole moved for 120°, it can
now be observed that conductor b-b’ cuts the most flux and c-c’ after another 120° clockwise rotation.

Advantages:
1. Most of the electric power is generated and distributed in three-phase. Operating frequency
50Hz (Europe) or 60Hz (US).
2. The instantaneous power in a three-phase system can be constant.
3. For the same amount of power, the three-phase system is more economical that the single-
phase.
4. In fact, the amount of wire required for a three-phase system is less than that required for an
equivalent single-phase system.

Phase Sequence – the order in which the generated voltages in the phase windings of an
alternator reach or attain their peak or maximum values.
a. Positive phase sequence (ABC, BCA, CAB)
b. Negative phase sequence (ACB, CBA, BAC)

If the phase sequence is not given, assume a

positive phase sequence. Three phase alternators are
designed to operate with positive phase sequence voltages.
In general, the phase sequence of the voltages
applied to the load is determined by the order in which the
three phase lines are connected. The phase sequence can
be reversed by interchanging any pair of lines. For induction motors, phase sequence reversals result in
reversed direction of motor rotation. However, reversing the phase sequence of a 3Ø generator which is
to be paralleled with a similar generator can cause extensive damage to both machines.
EE 353 Electric Circuits III 2014-2015; 2nd Semester
Three Phase Balanced System
Engr. Justiniano B. Menes Jr.

Not indentifying the phase sequence correctly often makes proceeding to analysis of electrical
system impossible. These are some important situations where phase sequence identification is a must.
1. One synchronous generator is to be synchronized to the grid.
2. Two systems are to be operated in parallel.
3. Transformers to be operated in parallel.
4. Connecting two different lines originating from the same source.
5. The two wattmeters in the two wattmeter method of measuring three-phase power interchange
their readings when subjected to a reversal of phase sequence, even though the system is
balanced.

Now the question arises what

is the sequence? In which order the
voltage or current waves attain the
peak values cyclically?
In the diagram just look at the
ABC counter clockwise phase
sequence. The phasors are rotating in
anti clock wise direction. An imaginary
viewer will encounter first phase A,
then B, then C again A, then
B.....likewise. The sequence is
ABCABCABC....... or ABC Anti Clock
Wise sequence.
Another method to view the phase sequence is to consider only the manner in which the ABC or
ACB phases advance. Looking at the figure, tracing only the letters ABC, it shows a clockwise rotation
and the same goes for ACB. The phase sequence identification is purely a convention. It helps in
identifying the sequence in which three phase voltage or current attain the peak values.
Another important concept to be consider in connection to phase sequence is the leading or
lagging of one phasor to another. For positive sequence (ABC), it follows the same convention that has
been used in Single phase AC systems while for negative sequence (ACB), there is a reversal.
To illustrate:
For a positive sequence: Voltage (V) leads current (i) by angle Φ.
For negative sequence: Voltage (V) lags current (i) by angle Φ.
V
Therefore, leading phasor for positive phase sequence is
determined by counter clockwise rotation from a reference
phasor and clockwise rotation for negative phase sequence.

Examples:
1. Draw the phasor diagram indicating VA and VC if VB = 265.6∟37° V and the phase sequence
is:
a. ABC
b. CAB
c. CBA
d. ACB
EE 353 Electric Circuits III 2014-2015; 2nd Semester
Three Phase Balanced System
Engr. Justiniano B. Menes Jr.

Wye and Delta Configurations

The windings of a three-phase ac power source can be connected in either a wye configuration,
or a delta configuration. The configuration names are derived from the appearance of the circuit
drawings representing the configurations, i.e., the letter Y for the wye configuration and the Greek letter
delta (∆) for the delta configuration.
If the three armature coils of a 3Ø alternator are not interconnected but are kept separate, then
each phase of the circuit would need two conductors, the total number of conductors, in that case, is
six. It means that each transmission cable would contain six conductors which will make the whole
system complicated and expensive. Hence, the three phases are generally interconnected.

A. Balanced Wye (Y) or Star Connected System

IL = IØ
VØ = VL / √3

Note: 1. Line voltages are situated 120° apart

2. Line voltages are 30° ahead of their respective phase voltage.
3. The angle between the line currents and corresponding line voltages is 30° + Ѳ with
current lagging.

B. Balanced Delta (∆) or Mesh connected System

VL = VØ
IØ = IL / √3

Note: 1. Line currents are situated 120° apart

2. Line currents are 30° behind of their respective phase voltage.
3. The angle between the line currents and corresponding line voltages is 30° + Ѳ with
current lagging.

Examples
1. A 3Ø, ABC system, with a line voltage of 100V has a balanced delta connected load with
impedances 20∟45°Ω. Obtain the line currents and draw the voltage-current phasor diagram.
2. Find the line voltage, Vab, if Vbn = 265.6∟37°V and the phase sequence is BCA.
3. A 3Ø, 3-wire, 110V, ABC system supplies a delta connection of three equal impedances of
5∟45°Ω. Determine the line currents Ia, Ib and Ic and draw the phasor diagram.
4. A 3Ø, 4-wire, 208V, CBA system serves a balanced star connected load with impedances of 20∟-
30°Ω. Find the line currents and draw the phasor diagram.
5. A balanced 3Ø Y-connected load has one phase voltage Vcn = 277∟45°V. The phase sequence is
ABC. Find the line-to-line voltages Vab, Vbc and Vca. Draw the phasor diagram showing the phase
voltage and line voltage.
EE 353 Electric Circuits III 2014-2015; 2nd Semester
Three Phase Balanced System
Engr. Justiniano B. Menes Jr.

For n-phase connected system:

1. Star connected system:
VL = 2VP sin (180°/n)
IL = IP

2. Delta connected system:

IL = 2IP sin (180°/n)
VL = VP

Power in Balanced 3Ø Systems (whether wye or delta connected)

Real/Active/Average power (P) = (√3)VLILpf = 3VØIØpf = 3(IØ)2RØ Watts (W)

Reactive/Idle Power (Q) = (√3)VLILrf = 3VØIØrf = 3(IØ)2XØ VARS
Apparent/Complex Power (S) = (√3)VLIL = 3VØIØ= 3(IØ)2ZØ Volt-amperes (VA)

ST2 = PT2 + QT2

From power and impedance triangle:

|ZØ| = √(RØ2 + XØ2)

pf = cosѲT = PT/ST = RØ/ZØ

rf = sinѲT = QT/ST = XØ/ZØ
tanѲT = QT/PT = XØ/RØ

Where: PT = total real power drawn by the balanced 3Ø loads

QT = total reactive power drawn by the balanced 3Ø loads
ST = total apparent power drawn by the balanced 3Ø loads
pf = power factor of the balanced 3Ø loads
rf = reactive factor of the balanced 3Ø loads
ѲT = power factor angle of the balanced 3Ø loads

Delta to Wye transformation

Note: When mentioned in the problem, the loads are reconnected, it is understood that the
resulting connection has the same value of load for each phase as the previous connection.
EE 353 Electric Circuits III 2014-2015; 2nd Semester
Three Phase Balanced System
Engr. Justiniano B. Menes Jr.

Examples:
1. Three identical capacitances, each of 150µF are connected in star. The value of capacitance in
each phase of the equivalent delta connected load would be ___. (50µF)
2. A balanced delta connected load draws 10A of line current and 3kW at 220V. What is the
reactance of each phase of the load? (23.49Ω)
3. A star connected source, the source voltage across each phase of which is 120V, delivers a
balanced load of 40kW at a power factor of 0.855 lagging. Calculate line current. (129.954A)
4. A 230V ∆-connected source delivers a balanced load of 45kW. If the line current under this
condition is 138A. Calculate:
a. Load power factor (0.8185 lagging)
b. Current in each phase (Iab, bc, ca = 79.67∟-5.065°, -125.065°, 114.935°)
c. Power delivered by each phase (15kW)
5. A 170kV, 3Ø electric source delivers 200MVA to a balanced load, which has a power factor of
90% lagging. What is the line current? (679A)
6. A three phase motor is rated 50hp, 440V and 85% power factor. What is the rated current?
(57.5A)
7. Determine the ratio of the line current drawn by three identical impedances connected in wye
to the line current drawn by the same impedances connected in delta. Both connections being
impressed with the same balanced 3Ø voltages. (1:3)
8. Three impedances, -j10, j10 and 10 Ω are wye connected. Determine the impedance of an
equivalent delta. (10, j10 and –j10Ω)
9. A balanced 3Ø load is wye connected and has an impedance ZP = 4-j3ohms per phase. Find the
line current if this load is connected across a 200V 3Ø source. (25.4A)
10. Phase voltages of a star connected alternator are ER = 231∟0°V, EY = 231∟-120°V, EB =
231∟120°V. What is the phase sequence of the system and compute for ERY and EYB. (RYB,
400V)
11. Given a balanced 3Ø, 3-wire system with Y-connected load for which line voltage is 230V and
impedance per phase is (6+j8)Ω. Fine the line current and power absorbed by each phase.
(IØ=13.3.A, P=1061W)
12. Three impedances each 10 + j15 Ω are connected in delta on a balance three-phase source. If
the equation of the phase voltage is Van = 120sinwt V. What is the equation of the current
through the impedance connected across phase A and B? (18.59sin(wt + 3.44) A)