Reference:

http://elpaso.apogee.net/md/mspupha.asp

Phase Unbalance
Phase unbalance refers to the relative difference in voltage between each of the individual phases in a three phase power supply. A phase unbalance occurs when the individual three phase voltages have different amounts of load connected to each of them on one system. When voltage varies among the three phases, the unbalanced voltage raises the current above the normal level in one or two of the phases. This causes overheating of that particular phase winding in the motor. Phase voltage unbalance is calculated as follows:

Example: Assume the individual phase voltages for a motor are 228 Volts to Phase A, 220 Volts to Phase B, and 236 Volts to Phase C. The average voltage is 228 Volts.

The voltage unbalance is as follows:

The increase in temperature rise in the phase with the highest current is about two times the square of the voltage unbalance. In this particular problem, a 3.5 percent voltage unbalance will result in 3.5 squared or about a 12 percent increase in temperature rise. In addition, the voltage unbalance decreases the locked rotor and breakdown torque. Voltage unbalance can result from any of the following conditions: Unequal loading of the individual phases of the three phase system Unequal tap settings on individual transformers in the three phase system Poor connections in individual phases of the system Overloaded open delta transformer supplied systems Improper function of capacitor banks

Phase voltage unbalance should be less than one percent for proper motor operation . If a motor must be operated with a phase unbalance of greater than one percent, then the motor should be de-rated according to the following graph. A motor should not be operated at all where phase unbalance is greater than five percent.