Experiment 1

Simulation of Single-Phase and Three-Phase Systems in MULTISIM

Introduction

By this time, you would have been well acquainted with the simulation of Direct Current circuits
using MULTISIM. Our attention now focuses on Alternating Current circuits (more specifically
circuits driven by sinusoidal excitations) to complete the picture of circuit analyses, in
preparation of our study of DC and AC machines.

In DC analysis, the simulation is very straight forward as the input of the various parameters of
both the sources and the loads is simple as the simulator follows the standard rated values of
the DC sources (seat of EMFs, cells, batteries, DC power supplies, etc.) and the nominal values
of the various discrete elements (resistors, capacitors, inductors, and other electronic
components). However, care must be taken in setting the correct parameters in the simulator
as there is a plethora of ways which elements in AC analyses can be rated. Single-phase sources
of excitation are identified by their phase voltage referred to by either its peak value (i.e.,
amplitude) of by its rms value (root of the mean of the square value or effective value). Their
frequency may be referred to by either their cyclic frequency (in Hertz or cycles per second) or
their radian or angular frequency (in radians per second). Three-phase sources can be
identified by their unconnected single-phase armature output or by their line-to-line voltages in
a connected delta or wye (star) format. The same problem exists as to whether a peak value or
rms value is identified. The phase sequencing also matters. The passive elements are always
referred to by their nominal values in the simulator MULTISIM, but the original problem may
have the passive devices identified by their values in the frequency domain. Measurement of
power in DC is straight forward in watts, but is a bit complicated in AC analyses as the complex
power (in volt-amperes or VA) is broken to power (often referred to as real power in watts or
W) and reactive power (often called imaginary power in volt-amperes reactive or VAR).

PROCEDURE:

Your adventure in AC analyses begins with a single sinusoidal source of excitation with a
known amplitude, frequency, and phase. In an electronics laboratory, this form of excitation is
delivered by a signal generator, function generator, waveform generator, audio generator, or
RF generator of a wide range of amplitudes and frequencies. In electrical power laboratories,
the source is often a single-phase generator. Hence systems where electrical loads are driven
by single-phase generators are termed as single-phase systems. There are also systems where,
although the generator is a three-phase system, one phase is taken separately to drive a single-
phase electrical load. These are still called single-phase system. The power distribution in your
home is single-phase. Though power in the electrical power sub-station is three-phase, one
single-phase is isolated and its voltage is stepped-down through a single distribution
transformer in your street to provide your home with a 220-volt secondary-mains, single-phase
of course.
NOTES ON SOURCES:
MULTISIM: The sinusoidal source is always identified and adjusted by its
1. Amplitude (Vpeak, volts) or peak current if using a current source (Ipeak, amps), and
by its
2. Cyclic frequency (f, hertz)
3. Phase is in degrees

CIRCUIT TO BE SIMULATED:
Because various problems can refer to the sources by a variety of measurements, we
must convert non-conforming values by these guidelines.
1. RMS value is converted to the amplitude or peak value by:
𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 = 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 = 𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝑥 √2
2. Radian frequency of angular frequency (ω, in radians per sec) is converted to cyclic
frequency (f, in Hertz or cycles per second) by:
𝜔
𝑓=
2𝜋
3. Phase in radians is converted to degrees by:
180°
𝑑𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑠 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑥
𝜋
Additional notes:
1. Commercial electrical equipment is always rated by its rms value. Thus a 220 V-
generator means a generator whose output is 220 Volts RMS. They are never
identified by their peak value (311 volts)
2. Phasors, as a standard are RMS values. This is done to preserve the form of the
power equations to follow DC equations (DC: power, P = VI, and AC: complex power
S = VI*). There are some authors however, like Alexander and Sadiku who would use
peak values in their phasors. So, be careful

NOTES ON LOADS
MULTISIM: Loads are always referred to by their manufactured nominal values
1. Resistor’s resistance R in ohms
2. Capacitor’s capacitance C in Farads (or more commonly milli-Farads or micro-Farads)
3. Inductor’s inductance L in Henries

CIRCUIT TO BE SIMULATED:
Loads may be referred to their frequency domain characteristics (impedance,Z,
admittance, Y, reactance, X, or susceptance, B) and not the manufacturer’s ratings. To find the
MULTISIM values use this guide.
1. Resistive load: a resistor, impedance Z is a + real number
𝑅 = 𝑍 (𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟)
2. Capacitive load: a capacitor, impedance Z is a - imaginary number Z=-j XC = -j 1/ωC
1
𝐶=
𝜔𝑋𝐶
3. Inductive load: an inductor, impedance Z is a + imaginary number Z = +jXL= +jωL
 𝑋𝐿
𝐿=
𝜔
4. Net-capacitive load: a resistor in series with a capacitor
Z is complex with a + real part and a – imaginary part
5. Net-inductive load: a resistor in series with an inductor
Z is complex with a + real part and a + imaginary part

AC circuits can be as complicated as they come. Electrical power delivery to appliances and
machines are actually simple as that all loads are connected in parallel to the source. We
always simply connect the electrical load by plugging it to the source via a convenience outlet
(as they call it in the USA and elsewhere) or power point (as they call it in UK and former
colonies.

A. Setting the Source and Load in MULTISIM

For the following problems, identify the MULTISIM settings for the sinusoidal source and
the passive elements. The passive elements are assumed to be connected together in
series. If the particular passive element is not in use, write N/A. Fill in the table in the
datasheet

MULTISIM Source Settings MULTISIM Load

Problem
Amplitude, V f, Hertz Phase, ° R, ohms C, Farads L, Henries
1
2
3

When not stated specifically, assume sin with phase zero as reference.
1. A 10-ohm resistor connected to a 20-volt peak, 100-Hertz sinusoid.
2. A 10-ohm resistor in series with a 1-farad capacitor connected to a 20-volt rms, 100-
cycles per second sinusoid.
3. A 100-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mF capacitor connected to a 10 sin t sinusoid
4. A 100-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mH inductor connected to a 10 sin (2t + 45°)
sinusoid
5. A 100-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mH inductor connected to a 10 sin (2t - 45°)
sinusoid
6. A 100-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mH inductor connected to a 10 cos (2t + π/2)
sinusoid.
7. A 5-j5 load connected to a 10 cos (2t – π/6) sinusoid. Assume book uses cos as
reference.
8. A 50-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mH inductor connected to a 30-V rms, 5 rad/s
sinusoid lagging the reference by π radians
9. A 100-watt incandescent bult connected to 220V, 60Hz secondary mains.
10. A 10 +j10 load connected to 110 ∠15°, 60Hz

B. Reading Phasor Data

 Reading the rms magnitude of a phasor simply requires the meter to display periodic data.
Simply click the “periodic” checkbox in the “interactive simulation” section of the meter
settings. To obtain phase angles,
1. Consult the graph output of MULTISIM after placing the required meters and simulating
2. Locate the reference sinusoid and the sinusoid for which phase angle you want to
compute.
3. Compare the pair of crests closest to each other. Get the time stamps of those crests by
simply placing the cursor on these points in turn. The difference is Δt
4. Use the common ratio:
𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 Δt
=
360° 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑

5. When the closest crests are compared, the sinusoid on the left leads and the sinusoid on
the right lags.

Simulate problem 10 of Part A

1. Place corresponding meters to show the voltage, current, and power
2. Show the graph output and indicate the time stamps of the two closest crests of the
voltage and current.
3. Draw the Phasor diagram.

C. Simulation of an AC Analysis Problem

Simulate the given problem chosen by your instructor. Each group maybe given a different
problem.
D. Creating Three-phase Sources
In MULTISIM, three-phase sources maybe created in two ways. The first way is to create
three independent single-phase sources. The amplitudes are then set to the same
magnitude (rms and peak values are handled in the same manner as in section A). The
phase angles are then set 120° apart. These angles are set in the problem and if not, the
angles chosen are ∠0°, ∠-120°, and ∠-240° (or equivalently ∠0°, ∠-120°, and ∠120°) for
simplicity. They are then connected in Wye (ending up in 4 terminals, that is 3 lines and a
neutral) or in Delta (ending up in three terminals). A second, easier way is provided by
MULTISIM. In the same “Source” menu is a readily available “Three-phase Delta” and
“Three-phase Wye” generators. Be careful, unlike the single-phase source where
magnitudes are set by their peak values, three-phase generators are set by their RMS
values.
1. Create three independent 220-V single phase generators with phases ∠0°, ∠-120°, and
∠-240°.
2. Connect them in Wye. Place appropriate meters and draw the phasor diagram of
the phase and line-to-line voltages. (You may place an arbitrary load to help you
establish the meters)
3. What “MULTISIM three-phase wye” generator settings will mimic the constructed
generator in #2? Is there any way to set phase values? Prove that the generator is
 equivalent to #2 by placing appropriate meters and drawing the phasor diagram of
the phase and line-to-line voltages.
4. Connect them in Delta. Place appropriate meters and draw the phasor diagram of
the phase and line-to-line voltages. (You may place an arbitrary load to help you
establish the meters)
5. What “MULTISIM three-phase delta” generator settings will mimic the constructed
generator in #2? Is there any way to set phase values? Prove that the generator is
equivalent to #2 by placing appropriate meters and drawing the phasor diagram of
the phase and line-to-line voltages.
 EXPERIMENT DATA SHEET

Name: __________________________________________________ Date Performed: _____________________

Course Code & Section: __________________________________
Group Leader: ____________________________________
Group Members: ______________________________________ _____________________________________
______________________________________ _____________________________________

Simulation of Single-Phase and

Three-Phase Systems in MULTISIM

A. Setting the Source and Load in MULTISIM

MULTISIM Source Settings MULTISIM Load

Problem
Amplitude, V f, Hertz Phase, ° R, ohms C, Farads L, Henries
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Problems: (When not stated specifically, assume sin with phase zero as reference.)
1. A 10-ohm resistor connected to a 20-volt peak, 100-Hertz sinusoid.
2. A 10-ohm resistor in series with a 1-farad capacitor connected to a 20-volt rms, 100-
cycles per second sinusoid.
3. A 100-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mF capacitor connected to a 10 sin t sinusoid
4. A 100-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mH inductor connected to a 10 sin (2t + 45°)
sinusoid
5. A 100-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mH inductor connected to a 10 sin (2t - 45°)
sinusoid
6. A 100-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mH inductor connected to a 10 cos (2t + π/2)
sinusoid.
7. A 5-j5 load connected to a 10 cos (2t – π/6) sinusoid. Assume book uses cos as
reference.
8. A 50-ohm resistor in series with a 100-mH inductor connected to a 30-V rms, 5 rad/s
sinusoid lagging the reference by π radians
9. A 100-watt incandescent bult connected to 220V, 60Hz secondary mains.
10. A 10 +j10 load connected to 110 ∠15°, 60Hz
B. Reading Phasor Data
C. Simulation of an AC Analysis Problem (Use additional pages as needed.)
D. Creating Three-phase Sources