CHAPTER II: IMBALANCES IN AN ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM

II.1 Introduction
An imbalance is said to exist in a network when the value of a network parameter (current,
voltage, power) in one of the network's phase lines differs from those of the others. the
others.
The presence of asymmetrical loads leads to unbalanced currents and, as a result,
unbalanced voltages. voltage imbalance. In general, these imbalances lead to technical
losses technical losses on the network lines.
These imbalances can be studied using the now-classic method of of a symmetrical system:
direct, inverse and zero-sequence systems.
Here are a few rules concerning the direct, inverse and zero-sequence components:
- A balanced load draws only direct current;
- An unbalanced load connected between phases absorbs both a forward and a reverse
current reverse current;
- An unbalanced load connected between phase and neutral absorbs a direct current, a
reverse current and a zero sequence current.
II.2 Unbalanced load
II.2.1. Definition
A load is unbalanced if it consists of three different impedances 1 Z , 2 Z and 3 Z , coupled in
star or delta. The line currents are then not all equal. The most immediate consequence is
that the load's neutral potential is offset from that of equilibrium.
II.2.2 Influence of load imbalance
a. Determining neutral current
To begin with, let's consider the case where the neutral is connected to the network by the
associated conductor
In the general case, this voltage is not always zero. The neutral potential is offset from the to
the source neutral. The latter is often earthed, so VN is observed near the load. of the load.
This can be dangerous for certain neutral systems, in the event of a load fault in the load.
If all three phases are perfectly balanced, we have the following relationship for ZN→∞ (i.e.
open neutral).
Since all three admittances are equal.
And we know that: 0 1 2 3 V V V 
This means that the voltage  0 N V
i.e. N plays the role of an artificial neutral
despite neutral disconnection. Phase-to-neutral voltages thus always remain equal at around
around 220[V].