Chapter 1.

Three-Phase System

1
 1.1: Review of Single-Phase System

The Sinusoidal voltage

v1(t) = Vm sin t

v1 v2
Load

AC
generator
2
1.1: Review of Single-Phase System

The Sinusoidal voltage

v(t) = Vm sin t
where
Vm = the amplitude of the sinusoid
 = the angular frequency in radian/s
t = time
v(t)
Vm

    t
-Vm

3
v(t)
Vm

    t
-Vm

2 1
T f 
 T

  2f
The angular frequency in radians per second
4
A more general expression for the sinusoid (as
shown in the figure):
v2(t) = Vm sin (t + )
where  is the phase
v(t)
V1 = Vm sin t
Vm

     t
-Vm

V2 = Vm sin t + )

5
A sinusoid can be expressed in either sine or cosine form.
When comparing two sinusoids, it is expedient to express
both as either sine or cosine with positive amplitudes.
We can transform a sinusoid from sine to cosine form or
vice versa using this relationship:
sin (ωt ± 180o) = - sin ωt
cos (ωt ± 180o) = - cos ωt
sin (ωt ± 90o) = ± cos ωt
cos (ωt ± 90o) = + sin ωt

6
Sinusoids are easily expressed in terms of phasors.
A phasor is a complex number that represents the
amplitude and phase of a sinusoid.

v(t) = Vm cos (ωt + θ) Time domain

V  Vm  Phasor domain

Time domain Phasor domain

Vm cos( t   ) Vm 
Vm sin( t   ) Vm   90 o
I m cos( t   ) I m 
I m sin( t   ) I m   90 o
7
 Time domain
v(t)
V1 = Vm sin t
v2(t) = Vm sin (t + )
Vm
v1(t) = Vm sint

     t
-Vm

V2 = Vm sin t + )

Phasor domain
V2
V1  Vm 0  or V1  Vrms 0
θ
V2  Vm  or V2  Vrms 
V1
8
 1.1.1: Instantaneous and Average Power

The instantaneous power is the power at any instant

of time.
p(t) = v(t) i(t)

Where v(t) = Vm cos (t + v)

i(t) = Im cos (t + i)

Using the trigonometric identity, gives

1 1
p( t )  Vm I m cos(  v  i )  Vm I m cos( 2t   v  i )
2 2
9
The average power is the average of the
instantaneous power over one period.

1 T
P
T 0
p (t ) dt

1
P Vm I m cos(  v   i )
2
p(t)

1
Vm I m
2

1
Vm I m cos(  v   i )
2

   t

10
The effective value is the root mean square (rms) of
the periodic signal.
The average power in terms of the rms values is

P  Vrms I rms cos( v  i )

Vm
Vrms 
Where 2

Im
I rms 
2

11
 1.1.2: Apparent Power, Reactive Power and
Power Factor

The apparent power is the product of the rms values

of voltage and current.
S  Vrms I rms

The reactive power is a measure of the energy

exchange between the source and the load reactive
part.
Q  Vrms I rms sin( v  i )

12
The power factor is the cosine of the phase difference
between voltage and current.
P
Power factor   cos( v  i )
S

The complex power:  P  jQ

 Vrms I rms v  i

13
 1.2: Three-Phase System

In a three phase system the source consists of three

sinusoidal voltages. For a balanced source, the three
sources have equal magnitudes and are phase
displaced from one another by 120 electrical degrees.

A three-phase system is superior economically and

advantage, and for an operating of view, to a single-
phase system. In a balanced three phase system the
power delivered to the load is constant at all times,
whereas in a single-phase system the power pulsates
with time.
14
 1.3: Generation of Three-Phase
Three separate windings or coils with terminals R-
R’, Y-Y’ and B-B’ are physically placed 120o apart
around the stator.
R
Stator
Y
R

B B’ Y’
N

Rotor

Y S B

R’

15
V or v is generally represented a voltage, but
to differentiate the emf voltage of generator
from voltage drop in a circuit, it is convenient to
use e or E for induced (emf) voltage.

16
v(t)
vR vY vB

t
 

The instantaneous e.m.f. generated in phase R, Y and B:

eR = EmR sin t
eY = EmY sin (t -120o)
eB = EmB sin (t -240o) = EmBsin (t +120o)
17
Three-phase
AC generator

IR

ER VR ZR
IN
EB
VB
VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

Three-phase
18
Load
 Phase voltage

The instantaneous e.m.f. generated in phase R, Y and B:

eR = EmR sin ωt
eY = EmY sin (ωt -120o)
eB = EmB sin (ωt -240o) = EmBsin (ωt +120o)

In phasor domain:
120o
ER = ERrms 0o
0o
EY = EYrms -120o
-120o
EB = EBrms 120o
ERrms = EYrms = EBrms = Ep Magnitude of phase voltage
19
Three-phase
AC generator Line voltage

IR

ER ERY VR ZR
IN
EB
VB
VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

ERY = ER - EY Three-phase
Load
 Line voltage

ERY = Ep 0o - Ep -120o ERY

-EY
= 1.732Ep 30o

= √3 Ep 30o 120o
= EL 30o 0o

-120o

ERY = ER - EY 21
Three-phase
AC generator Line voltage

IR

ER VR ZR
IN
EB
VB
VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB EYB

EYB = EY - EB Three-phase
Load
 Line voltage

EYB = Ep -120o - Ep 120o

= 1.732Ep -90o 120o

0o
= √3 Ep -90 o

= EL -90o -120o
-EB

EYB = EY - EB EYB
Three-phase
AC generator Line voltage

IR

VR ZR
ER EBR
IN
EB
VB VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

EBR = EB - ER Three-phase
Load
 Line voltage

EBR = Ep 120o - Ep 0o
EBR

= 1.732Ep 150o 120o

0o
= √3 Ep 150 o

= EL 150o -ER -120o

For star connected supply, EL= √3 Ep

EBR = EB - ER 25
Phase voltages It can be seen that the phase
voltage ER is reference.
ER = Ep 0o

EY = Ep -120o

EB = Ep 120o 120o
0o
Line voltages
-120o
ERY = EL 30o

EYB = EL -90o

EBR = EL 150o 26
Phase voltages Or we can take the line voltage
ERY as reference.
ER = Ep -30o

EY = Ep -150o

EB = Ep 90o

Line voltages

ERY = EL 0o

EYB = EL -120o

EBR = EL 120o 27
Three-phase
AC generator
Delta connected Three-Phase supply

IR

ERY VR ZR
ER
EB
VB
VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

Three-phase
ERY = ER = Ep 0 o
Load
Three-phase
AC generator
Delta connected Three-Phase supply

IR

VR ZR
ER
EB
VB
EBR VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB EYB

Three-phase
For delta connected supply, EL= Ep Load
 Connection in Three Phase System

4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)

3-wire system (no neutral line )

4-wire system (neutral line without impedance)

3-wire system (no neutral line ), delta connected load

Star-Connected Balanced Loads
a) 4-wire system b) 3-wire system

Delta-Connected Balanced Loads

a) 3-wire system 30
Three-phase 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)
AC generator

IR

ER VR ZR
IN ZN
EB
VB
VN VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

Three-phase
Voltage drop across neutral VN = INZN 1.1 Load
impedance:
Three-phase 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)
AC generator
Applying KCL at star point
IR

ER VR ZR
IN ZN
EB
VB
VN VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

Three-phase
IR + IY + IB= IN 1.2 Load
Three-phase 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)
AC generator
Applying KVL on R-phase loop
IR

ER VR ZR
IN ZN
EB
VB
VN VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

Three-phase
33
Load
 Three-phase 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)
AC generator
Applying KVL on R-phase loop
IR

ER VR ZR
IN ZN

VN
ER – VR – VN = 0

ER – IRZR – VN = 0

Thus ER – VN
IR = 1.3 Three-phase
ZR 34
Load
Three-phase 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)
AC generator
Applying KVL on Y-phase loop
IR

ER VR ZR
IN ZN
EB
VB
VN VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

Three-phase
35
Load
Three-phase 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)
AC generator
Applying KVL on Y-phase loop

EY – VY – VN = 0 Thus
EY – VN
IY = 1.4
EY – IYZY – VN = 0 ZY

IN ZN

VN VY
EY
ZY
IY

Three-phase
36
Load
Three-phase 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)
AC generator
Applying KVL on B-phase loop

EB – VB – VN = 0 Thus
EB – VN
IB = 1.5
EB – IBZB – VN = 0 ZB

IN ZN
EB
VB
VN
ZB

IB

Three-phase
37
Load
 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)

Substitute Eq. 1.2, Eq.1.3, Eq. 1.4 and Eq. 1.5 into
Eq. 1.1:
IR + IY + IB= IN

ER – VN EY – VN EB – VN = VN
+ +
ZR ZY ZB ZN

ER – VN EY – VN EB – VN VN
+ + =
ZR ZR ZY ZY ZB ZB ZN

ER EY EB 1 1 1 1
+ + = VN + + +
ZR ZY ZB ZN ZR ZY ZB 38
 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)

ER EY EB
+ +
ZR ZY ZB
VN 1.6
=
1 1 1 1
+ + +
ZN ZR ZY ZB

ER EY EB 1 1 1 1
+ + = VN + + +
ZR ZY ZB ZN ZR ZY ZB 39
 4-wire system (neutral line with impedance)

VN is the voltage drop across neutral line impedance

or the potential different between load star point and
supply star point of three-phase system.

ER EY EB
+ +
ZR ZY ZB
VN 1.6
=
1 1 1 1
+ + +
ZN ZR ZY ZB

We have to determine the value of VN in order to find the

values of currents and voltages of star connected loads of
40
three-phase system.
Example

IR

EL = 415 volt VR
ER ZR = 5 Ω
IN ZN =10 Ω
EB
VB
VN ZY= 2 Ω
EY
ZB = 10 Ω
IY

IB
Find the line currents IR ,IY and IB. Also find Three-phase
the neutral current IN. Load
Three-phase 3-wire system (no neutral line )
AC generator

IR

ER VR ZR
IN ZN
EB
VB
VN VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

Three-phase
Load
Three-phase 3-wire system (no neutral line )
AC generator

IR

ER VR ZR
VN
EB
VB
VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

Three-phase
No neutral line = open circuit , ZN = ∞ 43
Load
 3-wire system (no neutral line )

ER EY EB
+ +
ZR ZY ZB
VN = 1.6
1 1 1 1
+ + +
ZN ZR ZY ZB

ZN = ∞
1
= 0
∞
44
 3-wire system (no neutral line )

ER EY EB
+ +
ZR ZY ZB
VN = 1.7
1 1 1
+ +
ZR ZY ZB

45
Example

IR

EL = 415 volt VR
ER ZR = 5 Ω

EB
VB
VN ZY= 2 Ω
EY
ZB = 10 Ω
IY

IB

Find the line currents IR ,IY and IB . Also find Three-phase

the voltages VR, VY and VB. Load
 3-wire system (no neutral line ),delta connected load
Three-phase
AC generator
IR

VR ZR
ER

EB
VB VY
EY ZB ZY
IY

IB

Three-phase
Load
 3-wire system (no neutral line ),delta connected load
Three-phase
AC generator
IR
Ir

ER VRY
VBR
ZBR ZRY
EB
Ib
EY ZYB Iy
IY
VYB
IB

Three-phase
Load
 3-wire system (no neutral line ),delta connected load
Three-phase
AC generator
IR
Ir

ER ERY =VRY VRY

VBR ZRY
EBR =VBR ZBR
EB
EY Ib
ZYB Iy
IY
VYB
IB EYB =VYB

Three-phase
Load
 3-wire system (no neutral line ),delta connected load

Phase currents

VRY ERY EL 30o

Ir = = =
ZRY ZRY ZRY

VYB EYB EL -90o

Iy = = =
ZYB ZYB ZYB

VBR EBR EL 150o

Ib = = =
ZBR ZBR ZBR

50
 3-wire system (no neutral line ),delta connected load
Three-phase
AC generator
IR
Ir
Line currents

I R = Ir - I b ER ERY =VRY VRY

VBR ZRY
EL 30 o
-EE
BRL =V150
o
ZBR
E
=B BR

ZRY EZ Ib
Y BR ZYB Iy
I Y = Iy - I r IY
VYB
EL -90o - EL 30Eo YB =VYB IB
=
ZYB ZRY
Three-phase
Load
 3-wire system (no neutral line ),delta connected load
Three-phase
AC generator
IR
Ir
Line currents

IB = Ib - I y ER ERY =VRY VRY

VBR ZRY
EL 150 -EBR
o
EL =V-90 o
ZBR
E
=B BR

ZBR EYZYB Ib
ZYB Iy
IY
VYB
EYB =VYB IB

Three-phase
Load
 Star to delta conversion

ZRY = ZRZY + ZYZB + ZBZR

ZB ZR
ZBR ZRY

ZYB = ZRZY + ZYZB + ZBZR

ZY
ZR
ZB

ZBR = ZRZY + ZYZB + ZBZR ZYB

ZY
Example Use star-delta conversion.

IR

EL = 415 volt VR
ER ZR = 5 Ω

EB
VB
VN ZY= 2 Ω
EY
ZB = 10 Ω
IY

IB

Find the line currents IR ,IY and IB . Three-phase

Load
Three-phase 4-wire system (neutral line without impedance)
AC generator

IR

ER VR ZR
IN ZN = 0 Ω
EB
VB
VN VY
EY ZB ZY
IR

IB

Three-phase
VN = INZN = IN(0) = 0 volt 55
Load
 4-wire system (neutral line without impedance)

For 4-wire three-phase system, VN is equal to

0, therefore Eq. 1.3, Eq. 1.4, and Eq. 1.5
become,
ER – VN
IR = 1.3
ZR

EY – VN
IY = 1.4
ZY

EB – VN
IB = 1.5
ZB
56
Example

IR

EL = 415 volt VR
ER ZR = 5 Ω
IN
EB
VB
VN ZY= 2 Ω
EY
ZB = 10 Ω
IY

IB

Find the line currents IR ,IY and IB . Also find Three-phase

the neutral current IN. Load
v(t)
vR vY vB

t
 

The instantaneous e.m.f. generated in phase R, Y and B:

eR = EmR sin t
eY = EmY sin (t -120o)
eB = EmB sin (t -240o) = EmBsin (t +120o)
58
 1.4: Phase sequences
RYB and RBY

VB
(a) RYB or positive sequence
 VR  VR ( rms ) 0 o
120o
VY  VY ( rms )   120 o
120o VR
VB  VB ( rms )   240 o
-120o
 VB ( rms ) 120 o
VY
VR leads VY, which in turn leads VB.
This sequence is produced when the rotor rotates in
the counterclockwise direction.
59
(b) RBY or negative sequence

VY VR  VR ( rms ) 0 o

120o
VB  VB ( rms )   120 o
120o VR
VY  VY ( rms )   240 o
-120o
 VY ( rms ) 120o
VB

VR leads VB, which in turn leads VY.

This sequence is produced when the rotor rotates in
the clockwise direction.
60
1.5: Connection in Three Phase System

1.5.1: Star Connection

a) Three wire system
R

ZR

B
61
 Star Connection
b) Four wire system

VRN ZR

V BN V YN

Y B
Y
N
B
62
 Wye connection of Load

R R
Z1
Y
2 1
Y
Z2
Load
Z3
B B
Z3

Load
N N

63
1.5.2: Delta Connection

R
R

B
B

64
 Delta connection of load

R Load R

Zc
Y
c

Zb

Y Za
Za
B
B Load

65
1.6: Balanced Load Connection in
3-Phase System

66
 Wye-Connected Balanced Loads
Example
b) Three wire system
IR

EL = 415 volt VR
ER ZR = 20 Ω

EB
VB ZY= 20 Ω
VN
EY
ZB = 20 Ω
IY

IB

Find the line currents IR ,IY and IB . Also find Three-phase

67
the voltages VR, VY and VB. Load
Wye-Connected Balanced Loads
b) Three wire system

VN = = 0 volt

VR = E R

VY = EY

VB = EB

68
 1.6.1: Wye-Connected Balanced Loads
Example a) Four wire system
IR

EL = 415 volt VR
ER ZR = 20 Ω
IN
EB
VB ZY= 20 Ω
VN
EY
ZB = 20 Ω
IY

IB

Find the line currents IR ,IY and IB . Also find Three-phase

69
the neutral current IN. Load
 1.6.1: Wye-Connected Balanced Loads
a) Four wire system
IR
R

Z1
IN  IR  IY  IB
VRN
IN
N For balanced load system,
V YN
Z2 Z IN = 0 and Z1 = Z2 = Z3
V BN IY 3

Y
VRN 0 o
B
IR 
Z1
IB
VRN  Vphasa 0 VYN   120 o
IY 
VYN  Vphasa   120 Z2
VBN  Vphasa 120
VBN 120 o
where Vphasa  VRN  VYN  VBN IB 
Z3
70
 Wye-Connected Balanced Loads
b) Three wire system
IR
R
IR  IY  IB  0
Z1
VBR VRY
S
IY
VRS 0 o
Z2 Z
3
IR 
Y
VYB Z1
B
IB VYS   120 o
IY 
Z2
VRS  Vphasa 0
VBS 120 o
VYS  Vphasa   120 IB 
Z3
VBS  Vphasa   240
where Vphasa  VRS  VYS  VBS
71
1.6.2: Delta-Connected Balanced Loads
IR
R Phase currents:
VRY 0 o
I RY I BR I RY 
VRY Z1


VBR VYB   120 o


I YB 
Z2
IY
Y Z VBR 120 o
I BR 
I YB Z3
VYB
B
IB Line currents:

where I RY  I YB  I BR  I phasa I R  I RY  I BR
and I R  I Y  I B  I line I Y  I YB  I RY
I B  I BR  I YB 72
1.7: Unbalanced Loads

73
 1.7.1: Wye-Connected Unbalanced Loads
Four wire system
IR
R IN  IR  IY  IB
Z1
VRN
IN
For unbalanced load system,
N IN  0 and Z1  Z2  Z3
V YN
V BN IY 2 3

Y VRN 0 o
IR 
B Z1
IB VYN   120 o
IY 
VRN  Vphasa 0 Z2
VBN 120 o
VYN  Vphasa   120 IB 
Z3
VBN  Vphasa 120
74
 1.7.2: Delta-Connected Unbalanced Loads
IR
Phase currents:
R
VRY 0 o
I RY 
I RY I BR Z1
VRY


VBR VYB   120 o


I YB 
IY Z2
Y Z
I YB VBR 120 o
VYB I BR 
B
Z3
IB Line currents:

VRN  Vphasa 0 I R  I RY  I BR

VYN  Vphasa   120 I Y  I YB  I RY
VBN  Vphasa 120 I B  I BR  I YB 75
1.8 Power in a Three Phase
System

76
Power Calculation

The three phase power is equal the sum of

the phase powers

P = PR + PY + PB

If the load is balanced:

P = 3 Pphase = 3 Vphase Iphase cos θ

77
1.8.1: Wye connection system:
I phase = I L and
VLL  3 V phase
Real Power, P = 3 Vphase Iphase cos θ
 3 VLL I L cos  Watt
Reactive power,
Q = 3 Vphase Iphase sin θ
 3 VLL I L sin  VAR
Apparent power,
S = 3 Vphase Iphase
 3 VLL I L VA

78
1.8.2: Delta connection system
I L  3 I phase
VLL= Vphase

P = 3 Vphase Iphase cos θ

 3 VLL I L cos  Watt

79
1.9: Three phase power
measurement

80
Power measurement

In a four-wire system (3 phases and a

neutral) the real power is measured using
three single-phase watt-meters.

81
 Three Phase Circuit
Four wire system,
Each phase measured separately

IA PA
Phase A
A W

VAN V IB PB
Phase B
A W

VBN V
IC PC
Phase C
A W

VCN V
Neutral (N)

82
 watt-meter connection

Current coil (low impedance)

voltage coil (high impedance)

83
 a) Four wire system
Example
WR
IR

ER EL = 415 volt VR ZR = 5 30o Ω

IN
EB
VB ZY = 10 90o
EY VN Ω
WY
ZB = 20 45o Ω

IY
IB
WB
Three-phase
Find the three-phase total power, PT. Load
 b) Three wire system
Example
WR
IR

ER EL = 415 volt VR ZR = 5 30o Ω

EB
ZY = 10 90o
EY VN Ω
WY
ZB = 20 45o Ω

IY
IB
WB
Three-phase
Find the three-phase total power, PT. Load
 b) Three wire system
Example
WR
IR

ER EL = 415 volt VR ZR = 5 30o Ω

EB VB ZY = 10 90o
EY VN Ω
WY
ZB = 20 45o Ω

IY
IB
WB
Three-phase
Find the three-phase total power, PT. Load
 Three Phase Circuit
Three wire system,

The three phase power is the sum of the two watt-

meters reading I A
P AB
Phase A
A W

VAB = VA - VB V
Phase B

VCB = VC - VB
V

PT  PAB  PCB IC
A W
PCB
Phase C

87
 Proving: PT  PAB  PCB

The three phase power (3-wire system) is the

sum of the two watt-meters reading
IA PA
Phase A
A W
Instantaneous power:
VAN V IB PB
pA = vA iA Phase B
A W

VBN V
IC PC
pB = vB iB Phase C
A W

VCN V
pC = vC iC
Neutral (N)

pT = pA + pB + pC = vA iA + vB iB +vC iC

= vA iA + vB iB +vC iC = vA iA + vB (-iA -iC) +vCiC 88

 Proving:

The three phase power (3-wire system) is the

sum of the two watt-meters reading
IA PA
Phase A PAB
A IA W
Instantaneous power: A W
Phase A

VAN V
pT = vA iA + vB (-iA –iC) +vCiC Phase B VAB = VA - VB
IB
V
PB

A W
Phase B
= (vA – vB )iA + (vC – vB )iC VBN V
IC PC
Phase C
VCB = VC - VB A W
V
= vAB iA + vCBiC VCN V Phase C
A W
Neutral (N) IC PCB

pT = pAB + pCB
PT  PAB  PCB 89
Power measurement

In a four-wire system (3 phases and a

neutral) the real power is measured using
three single-phase watt-meters.

In a three-wire system (three phases

without neutral) the power is measured
using only two single phase watt-meters.

The watt-meters are supplied by the line

current and the line-to-line voltage.
90