Introduction to Three-Phase Power

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Typical Transformer Yard

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Basic Three-Phase Circuit

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What is Three-Phase Power?

Three sinusoidal voltages of equal amplitude and frequency out of phase with each other by 120. Known as balanced. Phases are labeled A, B, and C. Phases are sequenced as A, B, C (positive) or A, C, B (negative).

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Three-Phase Power

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Definitions
4 wires
3 active phases, A, B, C 1 ground, or neutral

Color Code
Phase A Phase B Phase C Neutral Red Black Blue White or Gray
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Phasor (Vector) Form for abc

Vc=Vm/+120

Va=Vm/0

Vb=Vm/-120

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Phasor (Vector) Form for abc

Vc=Vm/+120

Va=Vm/0

Vb=Vm/-120 Note that KVL applies .... Va+Vb+Vc=0

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Three-Phase Generator
2-pole (North-South) rotor turned by a prime mover Sinusoidal voltages are induced in each stator winding

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How are the sources connected?

(a) shows the sources (phases) connected in a wye (Y).
Notice the fourth terminal, known as Neutral.

(b) shows the sources (phases) connected in a delta ().

Three terminals
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Look at a Y-Y System

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Definitions
Zg represents the internal generator impedance per phase Zl represents the impedance of the line connecting the generator to the load ZA,B,C represents the load impedance per phase Zo represents the impedance of the neutral conductor
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Look at the Line and Load Voltages

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VAB VAN VBN

Line Voltages

VBC VBN VCN VCA VCN VAN

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Phase Voltages

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Vector addition to find VAB=VAN-VBN

-VBN

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Using the Tip-to-Tail Method

-VBN

V = Line-to-Neutral, or Phase Voltage VAB = VAN VBN = 3V

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Conclusions for the Y connection

The amplitude of the line-to-line voltage is equal to 3 times the amplitude of the phase voltage. The line-to-line voltages form a balanced set of 3-phase voltages. The set of line-to-line voltages leads the set of line-to-neutral (phase) voltages by 30.
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Summary

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Look at the Delta-Connected Load

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I AB I 0 I BC I 120 I CA I 120
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I aA I AB I CA
Line Currents

I bB I BC I AB I cC I CA I BC
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Phase Currents

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Vector Addition to find IaA=IAB-ICA

-ICA

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Using the Tip-to-Tail Method

-ICA

IaA = 3I/-30
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Conclusions for the Delta Connection

The amplitude of the line current is equal to 3 times the phase current. The set of line currents lags the phase currents by 30.

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