EE221L — Circuits II Lab

Exercise #6
Balanced 3φ Power Measurements
I. Objectives
The objectives of this exercise are to:
1. To become familiar with:
a) Three-phase (3φ) 4-wire and 3-wire systems, for both wye (Y) and
∆−SOURCES, connected to a combination of a Y / ∆−LOAD. Gain insight to
the inherent 30o phase shifts between line and phase quantities.
b) The two-wattmeter method for 3φ power measurements of balanced loads.
c) The significance of pf = 0.5 (lead or lag) when using the two watt-meter
method.
d) High-Voltage differential probes and current probes.

2. Conduct 3φ measurements on two distinctly different balanced systems

a) 4-Wire 208 Vac Y-SOURCE (grounded neutral system), connected to a
Y−reactive (inductive) load (inductors are in the line between source and
resistive load) in parallel with a ∆−resistive load.
(1) Predict and measure Line and Line-to-Neutral Voltages, both magnitude and
phase
(2) Predict and measure Line currents, both magnitude and phase
(3) Measure total power, using the Two-Watt Meter Approach
b) 3-Wire 240 Vac ∆-SOURCE (floating supply system), connected to a
Y−reactive (capacitive) load in parallel with a ∆−resistive load.
(1) Determine an appropriate location for placing a ground into the system
(2) Predict and measure Line Voltages and Line-to-Neutral Voltages, both
magnitude and phase
(3) Predict and measure Line currents, both magnitude and phase
(4) Measure total power, using the Two-Watt Meter Approach

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-1

II. Introduction
A. Discussion on each of the 3-phase sources
The three-phase circuit studied in this lab is represented in Fig. 1. While the load can be
either Y- or ∆-connected, through Y-∆ transformation, the load has an equivalent Y
representation. The source will either by Y (208 Vac) or ∆ (240 Vac). For this figure,
the source is Y connected.

I A = IL θ
A
+
+ Z =Z θ

YEQ YEQ Z

VAN = VLN 0  where θ Z = −θ

VAB = VL 30
- Z=
YEQ ZYEQ −θ
−
3-phase
Load
B
C
S=
3φ P3φ + jQ3φ
S=
3φ S3φ θ=
Z S3φ −θ
=
S3φ 3=
VLN I L 3VL I L
where
VL = 3VLN

Figure 1: 3-phase circuit.

1. 4-Wire 208 Vac Y-SOURCE

The 208 source does not come directly from the utility room (where the ALBs
reside), but rather from the service entrance to the building. The 208 outlet at the
station wall is always “hot”, assuming no breakers have been tripped. When this 208
source is connected to the back panel, and through the metered 3φ breaker on the
bench front panel, the neutral is connected to the ground of the bench.

2. 3-Wire 240 Vac ∆-SOURCE

The 240 source comes directly from the utility room at the output of a 75 kVA 3φ Y-
∆ , 480-to-240 Vrms transformer. Sometimes, the secondary winding of one of the
phases has the center of the winding tapped, giving the user a fourth wire, which can
be connected to ground. This is not the case for our transformer. Hence, there are
only three wires, each being one phase of the output of the transformer. The 240
outlet at the station wall only becomes “hot”, when a contactor is closed within the

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-2

 power processing system (PPS) – the big grey cabinet where the ALBs are connected
to a bench via the touch screen interface. The mechanical switches to activate these
contactors are located on the side of the PPS cabinet.

When this 240 source is connected to the back panel of the bench, and through the
metered 3φ breaker on the bench front panel, the user could safely connect any one of
the three phases to the bench ground (only one at a time!), if so desired, but not
necessary. This is because the output of the 3φ Y-∆ transformer is considered to be
“floating” with respect to ground.

B. 3-Phase Power Theory:

Based on Fig. 1 and lecture notes, it is shown that
a) S3φ = 3VL I L ,

VL
=
P3φ 3Re (VLN=
I L −θ ) 3 =
I L cos ( −θ ) 3VL I L cos (θ )
b) 3 (1)
,
P3φ = S cos (θ )

VL
Q=
3φ 3Im (VLN I L −=
θ) 3 I L sin ( −=
θ ) S3φ sin(−θ )
c) 3
.
Q3φ = − S3φ sin(θ )

C. Two-Watt Meter Method

The following equations hold when measuring power delivered to a balanced or
unbalanced 3-wire 3φ load, or a balanced 4-wire 3φ load.
1. Consider the diagram of Fig. 1, where the equivalent Y-load is attached to the
equivalent Y-source. If the load is purely real, θ = 0 , and line current will be in
phase with the line-to-neutral voltage.
2. It is possible to use two Watt meters to measure the total power delivered to the load.

Let Watt Meter 1, (W1) have its positive voltage lead connected to Line A and the
minus lead be connected to Line C (when using the Fluke 41, any of the lines can be
used as a common terminal, here we let C be the common). Following passive sign
convention, the current probe should be connected to Line A with its arrow pointing
towards the load.

Let Watt Meter 2, (W2) have its positive voltage lead connected to Line B and the
minus lead be connected to Line C. The current probe should be connected to Line B
with its arrow pointing towards the load.

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-3

 
I A = IL θ
A
+


VAN = VLN 0

-
W1
3-phase
Load

B Resistive, Inductive,
C Capacitive

W2

Figure 2: Two-Watt Meter method for measuring power in a 3-phase circuit.

With the meters connected as such, assuming that V=

AC V=
BC VL ,

=W1 VL I L cos(30 + θ  ) (2)

=W2 VL I L cos(30 − θ  ) (3)

and that the total power to the 3φ load is

P3φ =W1 + W2 (4)

The proof for this follows below.

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-4

 PROOF: The Fluke 41 meter essentially computes power according to:
 
W1 = Re (VAC I A* ) ,
  
where VAC =−VCA = IL θ
−VL 120 + 30 and I A* =−
W1 =− VL I L cos (120 + 30 − θ ) =VL I L cos ( 30 + θ  )
 
W2 = Re (VBC I B* ) ,
 
where VBC =VL −120 + 30 and I B* =I L 120 − θ
=
W2 VL I L cos ( −120 + 30 + 120=

− θ ) VL I L cos ( 30 − θ  )
Q.E.D.

Here, we see that if the load is purely real, the inherent 30 degree phase shift is easily
seen between the line current and the respective line voltage.

3. It is not difficult to see that if θ lags by as much as 60 degrees (inductive load), W2

3
approaches 0 and W1 approaches VL I L . If θ leads by as much as 60 degrees
2
3
(capacitive load), W1 approaches 0 and W2 approaches VL I L . If the pf angle
2
increases beyond 60 degrees (lag or lead), one wattmeter will become negative and
the other will remain positive – and this is perfectly ok, i.e., don’t be in a hurry to
switch the current probe around just to obtain a positive power reading – in the end,
the power readings from each meter are added together to obtain the total power
delivered to the load.

The important observation to realize is that when real power is held constant and the
reactive load is uniformly increased or decreased, W1 + W2 will always remain
constant and the true value for the total power delivered to the load is obtained.

4. The only time the Watt meters are equal in magnitude is when θ is 0 degrees, i.e.,
pf=1 (pure resistive). Hence, when pf = 1, P3φ = W1 + W2 = 2W1 .

5. When θ is + or - 90 degrees, i.e., pf = 0 (pure reactive), W1 = - W2 , and

P3φ = W1 + W2 = 0 . This is expected, since the load is purely reactive. This begs the
question then … “Is there a simple equation that gives you Q when given W1 and W2
measurements?” The answer is yes (in the ideal situation – perfect measurements)
and the equation is given by:

Q = 3 (W1 - W2 ) (5)

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-5

 D. Phase Shift Measurement Methods:
When using the oscilloscope, there are two methods for obtaining phase shift
information.

a) METHOD 1: Use cursors to measure the time shift between these two
voltages, and convert this to an equivalent phase shift. For example, let t AN

be the time at which the first zero crossing of VAN occurs. Let t AB be the time

at which the first zero crossing of VAB occurs. The phase shift is calculated as
t AN − t AB
φ= *360
T
= f * ( t AN − t AB ) *360 (6)
= 60* ( t AN − t AB ) *360

b) METHOD 2: Now use the oscilloscope MEASUREMENT features to

measure phase shift and rms values.

E. Extra Credit
1. Show (Prove) that Q = 3 (W1 - W2 ) by first showing that

 3 cos (=
θ ) cos(30 + θ  ) + cos(30 − θ  ) 

 You may use the following standard formulas for balanced 3φ power calculations
as well as the identities given below:
a) S = 3V I
L L
b) Q =S sin(θ z ) =S sin(−θ ) =− S sin(θ )
c) trigonometric identities,
(1) cos(α+β ) = cos(α)cos(β) - sin(α)sin(β)
(2) cos(α−β ) = cos(α)cos(β) + sin(α)sin(β).

2. Show that when PF equals 0.5, Q results in: Q = 3P .

(hint: recall that PF = P = cos(−θ )= cos(θ ) , and that Q =S sin(−θ ) =− S sin(θ ) ).
S

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-6

III. Laboratory Exercise
When making voltage and current measurements, with the purpose to obtain an
understanding of inherent phase shift between line and phase quantities, you will use the
oscilloscope, high-voltage differential probes, and current probes. When making power
measurements, you will use two Fluke 41 Power Analyzers.

A. Station 1 and 2:

3-Wire, 3φ, Y-connected 208 Vac source

1. Use a sequence meter to determine if the supply is positive sequence (ABC) or
negative sequence (ACB). Before doing this, the user will define which line is A,
which is B, and which is C. Then the corresponding leads from the sequence meter
will be attached to these respective lines. Turn the power on. The meter will indicate
if indeed you have the correctly identified A, B, and C lines. Try switching the leads
from the meter between two phases – what did you notice? Turn the power off.

2. Connect the ∆-resistance (ALB) at R per phase = 60 Ω (line to line).

DRAW A CIRCUIT DIAGRAM IN YOUR NOTEBOOK showing the Y-connected

source and ∆-connected load.

NOTE: since the load is ∆-connected, the system is actually a 3-wire system. If a
load with a ground is introduced to the system, then the circuit becomes a 4-wire
system.

To determine the 3-phase power level the ALB must be set to, apply this formula:
 (VL )2 
P3φ = 3  .
 R per phase 

Once the total power level is determined, you should turn the power on and place the
ALB in closed-loop mode, and confirm your setting at the LabVIEW meters. Place
the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

3. Use High-Voltage Differential Probes to show the theoretical phase shift between a
line voltage (i.e., line-to-line) and the line-to-neutral voltage.
 
Predict the phase and RMS value of VBC with respect to (WRT) VAB (i.e., trigger

off channel connected to VAB )?

a) Connect the differential probes to the power supply side for measuring VBC

and VAB . Set probe values correspondingly.
Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode.

Implement both phase shift measurement methods.

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-7

 For METHOD 1, use cursors to measure the amplitudes of each voltage, and
convert these values to their RMS values. Save data and produce plots to be
placed in your notebook.
Compare each of these methods to your predicted values.

Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

b) Connect the current probe to phase A line between Y-source and ∆-load, with
arrow pointing towards the load (i.e., ALB). Set probe to values
corresponding to expected current magnitudes.

Predict the RMS value of Line A current and its phase WRT VAB ?
(consider (2) … hmmm.)
 
Display on the oscilloscope only VAB and I A .

Using both phase shift measurement METHODS 1 and 2 to make the

 
appropriate measurements for I A , with respect to VAB . Save data and produce
plots to be placed in your notebook. Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and
turn the power off.


Predict the RMS value of Line A current and its phase WRT VAN ?
 
Display on the oscilloscope only VAN and I A .

Using one of the METHODS 1 or 2, as described above, make the appropriate

 
measurements for I A , with respect to VAN . Save data and produce plots to be
placed in your notebook.

Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

4. 3-Wire, 3φ ∆-connected resistive (ALB) and series-connected (line) inductive-

reactive load –

DRAW A CIRCUIT DIAGRAM IN YOUR NOTEBOOK showing the Y-connected

source, in-line inductors, and ∆-connected load.

a) With power off, place an inductor in each line between the input and the ALB.
Set the reactances to 10 Ω.

By the method of converting the ∆-connected resistance (ALB) of 60 Ω to an

equivalent Y-load, use the single phase equivalent circuit to compute the expected

line current (phase and magnitude WRT VAN for this configuration.

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-8

 Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode, such that the desired
power is being drawn.

Using METHOD 2, confirm these values.

Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

b) For this load configuration, predict the total LOAD (which includes the
inductors and ALB) VA, Watts and VARs the relationships in (1a, 1b, 1c).

Referring to Fig. 2, use the Fluke 41 for conducting the two-watt meter
approach to confirm this prediction.

Estimate the value for W1 and W2, using (2) and (3).

Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode and record W1 and
W2.

Compare results of
a) W1 to estimated result (2)
b) W2 to estimated result (3)
c) (4) to predicted result (1.b)
d) (5) to predicted result (1.c)

The VAR computation (5) may have the most error compared to the error in
(4). Provide a reasonable explanation as to why there might be more error
with this calculation for VARs then for Watts?

c) Adjust the decade reactance to successively larger or smaller values. At each

increment/decrement, record W1 and W2 and note the direction each
measurement is taking, i.e., is the value increasing or is it decreasing towards a
negative value. Explain to your lab instructor what pattern develops and why.
Do you expect that W1 or W2 to change sign? How should each measurement
change as the reactance is adjusted? Explain to your instructor.

5. 3-Wire, 3φ ∆-source (240 Vac), ∆-connected resistive (ALB) and Y-connected

capacitive-reactive load.

DRAW A CIRCUIT DIAGRAM IN YOUR NOTEBOOK showing the ∆-connected

source, Y-connected capacitive-reactive load, and ∆-connected load.

a) With power off, place three capacitors in a Y-configuration in parallel with the
ALB. Set the capacitive reactances to 83 Ω. By the method of converting
the ∆-connected load to an equivalent Y-load, use the single phase equivalent

circuit to compute the expected line current (phase and magnitude WRT VAN

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-9

 for this configuration).

Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode.

Use METHOD 2 for phase measurements and confirm these values.

Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

Referring to Fig. 2, use the Fluke 41 for conducting the two-watt meter
approach to confirm this prediction.

Estimate the value for W1 and W2, using (2) and (3).

Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode and record W1 and
W2.

Compare results of
a) W1 to estimated result (2)
b) W2 to estimated result (3)
c) (4) to predicted result (1.b)
d) (5) to predicted result (1.c)

b) The VAR computation (5) may have the most error compared to the error in
(4). Explain.
c) Adjust the decade reactance box to successively larger or smaller values. At
each increment/decrement, record W1 and W2 and note the direction each
measurement is taking, i.e., is the value increasing or is it decreasing towards a
negative value. Explain to your lab instructor what pattern develops and why.
Do you expect that W1 or W2 to change sign? How should each measurement
change as the reactance is adjusted? Explain to your instructor.

B. Station 3 and 4:

3-Wire, 3φ, ∆-connected 240 Vac source

1. Use a sequence meter to determine if the supply is positive sequence (ABC) or
negative sequence (ACB). Before doing this, the user will define which line is A, which
is B, and which is C. Then the corresponding leads from the sequence meter will be
attached to these respective lines. Turn the power on. The meter will indicate if indeed
you have the correctly identified A, B, and C lines. Try switching the leads from the
meter between two phases – what did you notice? Turn the power off.

2. Connect the ∆-resistance (ALB) at R per phase = 80 Ω (line to line).

DRAW A CIRCUIT DIAGRAM IN YOUR NOTEBOOK showing the ∆-connected

source and ∆-connected load.

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-10

 To determine the 3-phase power level the ALB must be set to, apply this formula:
 (VL )2 
P3φ = 3  .
 R per phase 

Once the total power level is determined, you should turn the power on and place the
ALB in closed-loop mode, and confirm your setting at the LabVIEW meters. Place
the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

3. Use High-Voltage Differential Probes to show the theoretical phase shift between a
line voltage (i.e., line-to-line) and the line-to-neutral voltage.
 
Predict the phase and RMS value of VBC with respect to (WRT) VAB (i.e., trigger

off channel connected to VAB )?

a) Connect the differential probes to the power supply side for measuring VAB

and VBC . Set probe values correspondingly.
Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode.

Implement both phase shift measurement methods.

For METHOD 1, use cursors to measure the amplitudes of each voltage, and
convert these values to their RMS values. Save data and produce plots to be
placed in your notebook.
Compare each of these methods to your predicted values.

Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

b) Connect the current probe to phase A line between Y-source and ∆-load, with
arrow pointing towards the load (i.e., ALB). Set probe to values
corresponding to expected current magnitudes.

Predict the RMS value of Line A current and its phase WRT VAB ? (consider
(2) … hmmm.)

 
Display on the oscilloscope only VAB and I A .

Using both phase shift measurement METHODS 1 and 2 to make the

 
appropriate measurements for I A , with respect to VAB . Save data and produce
plots to be placed in your notebook. Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and
turn the power off.

Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-11

 4. 3-Wire, 3φ ∆-source (240 Vac), ∆-connected resistive (ALB) and series-connected
(line) inductive-reactive load.

DRAW A CIRCUIT DIAGRAM IN YOUR NOTEBOOK showing the ∆-connected

source, in-line inductors, and ∆-connected load.

a) With power off, place an inductor in each line between the input and the ALB.
Set the reactances to 10 Ω.

By the method of converting the ∆-connected resistance (ALB) of 80 Ω to an

equivalent Y-load, use the single phase equivalent circuit to compute the expected

line current (phase and magnitude WRT VAB for this configuration.

Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode, such that the desired
power is being drawn.

Using METHOD 2, confirm these values.

Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

b) For this load configuration, predict the total LOAD (which includes the
inductors and ALB) VA, Watts and VARs the relationships in (1a, 1b, 1c).

Referring to Fig. 2, use the Fluke 41 for conducting the two-watt meter
approach to confirm this prediction.

Estimate the value for W1 and W2, using (2) and (3).

Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode and record W1 and
W2.

Compare results of
a) W1 to estimated result (2)
b) W2 to estimated result (3)
c) (4) to predicted result (1.b)
d) (5) to predicted result (1.c)

The VAR computation (5) may have the most error compared to the error in
(4). Provide a reasonable explanation as to why there might be more error
with this calculation for VARs then for Watts?

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-12

 c) Adjust the decade reactance to successively larger or smaller values. At each
increment/decrement, record W1 and W2 and note the direction each
measurement is taking, i.e., is the value increasing or is it decreasing towards a
negative value. Explain to your lab instructor what pattern develops and why.
Do you expect that W1 or W2 to change sign? How should each measurement
change as the reactance is adjusted? Explain to your instructor.

5. 4-Wire, 3φ, Y-source (208 Vac), ∆-connected resistive (ALB) and Y-connected
capacitive-reactive load.

DRAW A CIRCUIT DIAGRAM IN YOUR NOTEBOOK showing the Y -connected

source, in-line inductors, and ∆-connected load.

a) With power off, place three capacitors in a Y-configuration in parallel with the
ALB. Connect the neutral of the capacitive Y-load to ground. Set the
capacitive reactances to 110 Ω. By the method of converting the ∆-connected
resistance (ALB) of 80 Ω to an equivalent Y-load, use the single phase
equivalent circuit to compute the expected line current (phase and magnitude

WRT VAN for this configuration.

Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode.

Using a current probe to see if the neutral current is relatively small compared
to each capacitor current? If it is (which is to be expected since the ∆-source
is does not have a tap to ground), then proceed with all measurements WRT

VAN

If it is not, then turn power off, remove the neutral from ground, and make all

measurement WRT VAB .

Use METHOD 2 for phase measurements and confirm these values.

Place the ALB in open-loop mode, and turn the power off.

Referring to Fig. 2, use the Fluke 41 for conducting the two-watt meter
approach to confirm this prediction.

Estimate the value for W1 and W2, using (2) and (3).

Turn the power on and place the ALB in closed-loop mode and record W1 and
W2.

Compare results of
a) W1 to estimated result (2)

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-13

 b) W2 to estimated result (3)
c) (4) to predicted result (1.b)
d) (5) to predicted result (1.c)

b) The VAR computation (5) may have the most error compared to the error in
(4). Explain.
c) Adjust the decade reactance box to successively larger or smaller values. At
each increment/decrement, record W1 and W2 and note the direction each
measurement is taking, i.e., is the value increasing or is it decreasing towards a
negative value. Explain to your lab instructor what pattern develops and why.
Do you expect that W1 or W2 to change sign? How should each measurement
change as the reactance is adjusted? Explain to your instructor.

IV. Post Analysis and Report

Present your data with tables including percent error calculations and phasor diagrams
showing the 30o and 120o phase shifts throughout the system.

Also, be sure to answer questions that were asked throughout the procedure.

You may also want to work the extra credit.

Lab 6 - Balanced 3-Phase Power Measurements.docx page-14