THREE PHASE CIRCUITS

Polyphase System is a combination of two or more than two voltages

having same magnitude and frequency but displaced from each

other by an equal electrical angle. As poly means, many (more than

one) and phase means windings or circuits. Each of them has a

single alternating voltage of the same magnitude and frequency.

Single phase systems are employed for the operation of almost all

the domestic and commercial applications. For examples – Fans,

Televisions, Refrigerators, Washing machines, Mixer-grinder,

Computers, Exhaust Fans, Lamps, Electric Toasters, Electric Irons,

etc. But the single-phase system has its limitations in the field of

generation, transmission, distribution and industrial applications.

Thus, because of such limitations single phase system is replaced by

poly-phase System.

Poly-phase or we can say Three Phase System is universally adopted

for a generation, transmission and distribution of electric power

because of its practical utility and various advantages, which is

discussed in the topic.

In single phase circuit, there will be only one phase, i.e., the current

will flow through only one wire and there will be one return path

called neutral line to complete the circuit. Three phase circuit is the

poly-phase system where three phases are used together from the

generator to the load. Each phase having a phase difference of 120 o,

i.e., 120o angle electrically. Three phases are the most economical

poly-phase system.
Generation of Three-phase Voltages
Three-phase generator
Three sets of windings, with equal no. of turns in each one, are used,

so as to produce three ac voltages. The windings are to be placed at

an electrical angle of 120ºwith each other, such that the voltages in

each phase are also at an angle of 120º with each other. The voltages

are three identical sinusoidal voltages with 120º apart. The e.m.f.

induced in the three coils has same maximum value and frequency.

The phases are normally called red (R), yellow (Y) and blue (B) as

shown in figure below.

Figure: A three-phase AC voltage generated by the coils: (a) generation; (b)

wave diagram; (c) phasor diagram.
The instantaneous value of the emfs generated in three phases (coils)

are eR(t), eY(t) and eB(t) are as follows:

eR(t) = Em sin(ωt)

eY(t) = Em sin(ωt-120º)

eB(t)= Em sin(ωt-240º)

The set of voltages are such that these voltages are balanced. A

balanced three-phase voltage is one in which the size of each phase is

the same, and the phase angles of the three phases differ from each

other by 120 degrees.

Balanced Three Phase Circuit

A three-phase system is shown in Figure below.

If all of the above impedances are identical

Za= Zb= Zc= Z = │Z│∠ϕ.

Where │Z│ is the magnitude of the impedance and ∠ϕ is the phase

angle of Z. Such a load is called balanced load.

Three-phase balanced system is expressed using following voltages

and currents.

va(t) =Vm sin(ωt)

vb(t) = Vm sin(ωt-120º)

vc(t) =Vm sin(ωt-240º)

and currents

ia(t) = va(t) / Z =Vmsinωt / Z = Imsin(ωt-ϕ)

ib(t) = vb(t) / Z =Vmsin(ωt-120º) / Z = Imsin(ωt-120º-ϕ)

ic(t) = vc(t) / Z =Vmsin(ωt-240º) / Z = Imsin(ωt-240º-ϕ)

Here subscripts a, b and c are used to denote three phases which are

balanced. The currents are assumed to have ϕ degree lag with their

respective phase voltages.

Balanced System is a system where:

 All three phase voltages are equal in magnitude.

  All phase voltages are differing in phase by each other i.e.,

360°/3 = 120°

 All three phase currents are equal in magnitude.

 All phase currents are displaced in phase from each other by

360°/3 = 120°

 A three-phase balanced load is a system in which the load

connected across three phases are identical.

 If load and supply are both balanced then three phase system

is said to be balanced.

Advantages of Three Phase System Over Single-Phase

System

 A three-phase generator (alternator) is smaller and less costly

than a single-phase alternator of same output, voltage and

frequency.

 Design of three phase machines is simpler than design of

single-phase machines.
  The instantaneous power in a balanced three phase system is

constant and non-pulsating.

 Domestic as well as industrial and commercial power can be

supplied from the three-phase system.

 Three phase transmission requires less weight of copper in the

line conductors than single-phase transmission.

 Three phase machines have higher efficiency than single-phase

machines.

Prove that the instantaneous power in a three-phase

balanced system is constant and non-pulsating.

The instantaneous power delivered by the generator to the load

p t   va  t  i a  t   v b  t  i b  t   vc  t  i c  t 

Here

va(t) =Vmsinωt

vb(t) = Vmsin(ωt-120º)
vc(t) =Vm sin(ωt-240º)

and

ia(t) = Imsin(ωt-ϕ)

ib(t) = Imsin(ωt-120º-ϕ)

ic(t) = Imsin(ωt-240º-ϕ)

  
va t, vb t, vc t are the voltages across load, ia t , ib t ,ic t are the

currents flowing through the load branches and  is the angle

between the load voltage and load current or the angle of the load

impedance Z. We substitute the values of voltages and currents in

the equation p(t)

p(t) = VmIm [sinωt sin(ωt-ϕ) +sin(ωt-120º) sin(ωt-120º-ϕ)

+sin(ωt-240º) sin(ωt-240º-ϕ)]

Using the trigonometric identity

sina*sinb = ½ [cos(a-b) – cos(a+b)]

we get

p(t) = VmIm / 2 [cosϕ – cos(2ωt-ϕ) + cosϕ – cos(2ωt-240º-ϕ) +cosϕ

-cos(2ωt-480º-ϕ]

= VmIm / 2 [3cosϕ - cos(2ωt-ϕ)- cos{(2ωt-ϕ)-240º}-cos{(2ωt-ϕ)-

480º}]
Since
[-cos(2ωt-ϕ)- cos{(2ωt-ϕ)-240º}-cos{(2ωt-ϕ)-
480º}] = 0

We obtain p(t) = [3VmIm / 2]cosϕ = 3 [(Vm/√2) (Im/√2)]cosϕ

=3VIcosϕ

where V and I are the r.m.s. values of voltages and currents of each

phase.

Thus, the total instantaneous power p(t) delivered by a three-phase

generator to the balanced load is constant and non-pulsating.

Three-phase systems Connection

In three phase circuits, connections are given in two types:

 Star connection

 Delta connection
 Y- and Δ-connected voltage sources

 Internal impedance of a generator is usually inductive (due to

the use of coils).

 Source-load can be connected in four configurations:

 Y-Y

 Y- Δ
  Δ -Y

 Δ–Δ

 It’s sufficient to analyze Y-Y and Δ - Δ while the others can be

treated by Δ -Y and Y- Δ transformations.

General Y-Y circuit model

 Fig. Three phase balanced Star connected source and load

The connection diagram of a star (Y)-connected three-phase system

is shown in the figure above. Three windings for three phases are R,

Y and B. Taking the winding of one phase, say phase R as an

example, then R is taken as start, and N is taken as finish. Same is

the case with two other phases. For making star (Y)-connection, the

finish points of all phases are connected together, and the point is

taken as neutral (N). Point N is called the neutral point of the

generator and point n is called the neutral point of the load. The

above connection is 3 phase 4 wire connection, the 4th or neutral

wire carrying resultant current.

Since the loads are exactly alike, the phase currents have the same

peak value, Im, and differ in phase by 120°. Hence if the

instantaneous value of the current in load L1 is represented by

iR Im sin ωt)

the instantaneous current in L2 is

iY Im sin(ωt-120°)

and the instantaneous current in L 3 is

iB Im sin(ωt-240°)

Hence instantaneous value of the resultant current in neutral

conductor Nn (Figure above) is

iR iY iB Im{sin ωt)sin(ωt-120°) sin(ωt-240°)}

Im 0 = 0

Line (line-to-line) voltage: the voltage across any pair of lines is

known as line voltage.

Phase (line-to- neutral) voltage: the voltage across a single phase is

known as phase voltage.

For Y-connected load, line current equals phase current.

The three phase voltages are

vRN = Vm sin(ωt), vYN =Vm sin(ωt-120º), vBN = Vm sin(ωt-240º)

In star connected balanced three phase source and load two

connections are available namely (i) 3-phase 4 wire system where 4th

wire is the neutral wire and (ii) 3phase 3 wire system.

Three Phase 4 wire balanced Star connected Source and Load

Three Phase 3 wire balanced Star connected Source and Load

Voltage, Current and Power Values in Star Connection (Y)

1. Line Voltages and Phase Voltages in Star Connection

The Line voltage between Line 1 and Line 2 (from figure above) is

VRY = VRN – VYN …. (Phasor Difference)

Thus, to find phasor of VRY, extend the phasor of VYN in reverse

direction as shown in the dotted form in the below figure. Similarly,

on the both ends of phasor VRN and phasor VYN make perpendicular

dotted lines which look like a parallelogram as shown in figure. The

diagonal line divides the parallelogram into two parts, showing the

value of VRY. The angle between reverse VYN andVRN vectors is 60°.
From the law of parallelogram of vectors

Now VRN = VYN = VBN= VPH, phase voltage

Then VRY= √3 VPH

Similarly,

VYB = VYN – VBN

= √3 VPH

And

VBR = VBN – VRN

= √3 VPH
 Hence, it is proved that VRY = VYB = VBR is line voltages VL in Star

connection, Therefore, in Star connection;

VL = √3 VPH

2. Line Currents and Phase Currents in Star Connection

It is seen from the figure below that each line is in series with

individual phase winding, therefore, the value of line current is same

as in Phase windings to which the line is connected. i.e.;

 Current in Line 1 = IR

 Current in Line 2 = IY

 Current in Line 3 = IB

Since, the flowing currents in all three lines are same, and the

individual current in each line is equal to the corresponding phase

current, therefore;

IR = IY = IB = IPH …. The phase currents

Line Current = Phase Current

IL = IPH
In simple words, the value of Line Current and Phase Current is

same in Star Connection.

3. Power in Star Connection

In a three phase AC circuit, the total True or Active power is the

sum of the three-phase power. Or the sum of the all three phase

powers is the Total Active or True Power.

Hence, total active or true power in a three phase AC system;

Total True or Active Power = 3 Phase Power

Or

P = 3VPHIPHcosϕ

The values of Phase Current and Phase Voltage in Star Connection;

IL = IPH

VPH = VL /√3 ….. (From VL = √3 VPH)

Putting these values in power

P = 3VPH IPH cosϕ= 3(VL/√3)ILcosϕ …….…. (VPH = VL /√3)

P = √3VLILcosϕ

Similarly,
Total Reactive Power = Q = √3VLILsinϕ

General Δ - Δcircuit model

Fig. Three phase balanced Delta connected source and load

In Delta connection there is three wires alone and no neutral

connection. A three-phase delta (Δ)-connected balanced load (shown

in Figure) is fed from a balanced three-phase supply. A balanced

load means that, the magnitude of the impedance per phase is same

and their angle is also same. In other words, if the impedance per

phase is given as,

ZΔ = RΔ+jXΔ

then the magnitude and phase angle of the impedance per phase are
 and ϕ = tan-1(XΔ/RΔ).

Voltage, Current and Power Values in Delta Connection (Δ)

1. Line Voltages and Phase Voltages in Delta Connection

It is seen from figure that there is only one phase winding between

two terminals (i.e., there is one phase winding between two wires).

Therefore, in Delta Connection, the voltage between (any pair of)

two lines is equal to the phase voltage of the phase winding which is

connected between two lines. The voltage of R phase is leading by

120°from Y phase voltage. Likewise, the voltage of Y phase is

 leading by 120° from the phase voltage of B and its direction is

positive from Y towards B.

The line voltage between;

Line 1 and Line 2 = VRY

Line 2 and Line 3 = VYB

Line 3 and Line 1 = VBR

Then, we see that VRY leads VYB by 120° and VYB leads VBR by 120°.

Let’s suppose,

VRY = VYB = VBR = VL …………… (Line Voltage)

Then

VL = VPH

i.e., in Delta connection, the Line Voltage is equal to the Phase

Voltage.

2. Line Currents and Phase Currents in Delta Connection

It will be noted from the figure below that the total current of each

line is equal to the phasor difference between two phase currents

flowing through that line. i.e.;

 Current in Line 1= I1 = IR – IB (From KCL Law)

 Current in Line 2 =I2 = IY – IR

 Current in Line 3 =I3 = IB – IY {Phasor Difference}

The current of Line 1 can be found by determining the phasor

difference between IR and IB and we can do that by expanding the

IB phasor in reverse, so that, IR and IB makes a parallelogram. The

diagonal of that parallelogram shows the phasor difference of I R and

IB which is equal to Current in Line 1= I1. Moreover, by reversing

the phasor of IB, it may indicate as (-IB), therefore, the angle

between IR and -IB (IB, when reversed = -IB) is 60°

If, IR = IY = IB = IPH …. The phase currents

Then;

The current flowing in Line 1 would be;

= √3 IPH

i.e., in Delta Connection, The Line current is √3 times of Phase

Current.

Similarly, we can find the reaming two Line currents as same as

above. i.e.,

I2 = IY – IR … Phasor Difference = √3 IPH

I3 = IB – IY … Phasor difference = √3 IPH

As, all the Line current are equal in magnitude i.e.

I1 = I2 = I3 = IL

Hence
IL = √3 IPH

3. Power in Delta Connection

We know that the power of each phase

Power / Phase = VPH x IPH x cosϕ

And the total power of three phases;

Total Power = P = 3 x VPH x IPH x cosϕ ….. (1)

We know that the values of Phase Current and Phase Voltage in

Delta Connection;

IPH = IL / /√3 ….. (From IL = √3 IPH)

VPH = VL

Putting these values in power eq……. (1)

P = 3 x VL x (IL/√3) x cosϕ …… (IPH = IL / √3)

P = √3 x√3 x VL x (IL/√3) x cosϕ … {3 = √3x√3}

P = √3 x VLx IL x cosϕ

Points to note: cosϕ = Power factor = the phase angle between Phase

Voltage and Phase Current and not between Line current and Line

voltage.
Points to Remember:

In both Star and Delta Connections, the total power on balanced

load is same.

i.e., total power in a Three Phase System = P = √3 x V L x IL x cosϕ

Conversion of Balanced Load System from Star to Delta and

Vice-Versa

Any balanced star-connected system can be completely replaced by

an equivalent delta-connected system or vice-versa because of their

relationships between phase and line voltages and currents. For

example, a balanced star-connected load having an impedance of

magnitude Z with a power factor cos ɸ (or Z ∠ɸ) in each phase can

be replaced by an equivalent delta-connected load having an

impedance of magnitude 3Z and power factor cos ɸ (i.e., 3Z ∠ɸ) in

each phase.
The phase voltage and Phase current are related with line voltage

and line current in star connected system by the equations:

Now in equivalent delta-connected system for the same line values of

voltage and current as in case of star-connected system:

Phase Sequence

What is Phase Sequence?

The phase sequence in which three phase voltages attain their

positive maximum values is defined as the phase sequence. It refers

to the relation between the voltages or currents in three phase

system.

Consider the three phases as red-R, yellow-Y and blue-B phases. A

three-phase supply system needs three single phase EMFs provided

they must have same voltage magnitude and frequency but with

different phase displacement, usually by 120 degrees.

The three-single phase emf sources and their phase relationship is

shown in figures a and b.

These phasors are assumed to be rotating in positive or

counterclockwise direction at an angular frequency ω. As phasors

rotate in a counterclockwise direction, the positive maximum value

first occurs for phase R, and then a succession for phases Y and B.

Therefore, the phase Y lags phase R by 120 degrees and phase B

lags phase Y by 120 degrees. For this reason, three phase supply

system has a phase order of RYB.

The phase sequence of a three-phase supply system can be changed

by interchanging connections of any two phases or by reversing the

direction of rotation of the alternator.

 RBY Phase Sequence

What is NEGATIVE PHASE SEQUENCE?

A three-phase system in which the voltages and currents in each of

the three phases reach their maximum values in the reverse order to

conventional phase sequence, i.e., red, blue, yellow as opposed to

red, yellow, blue.

Measurement of Power in balanced Three Phase System