Module 3

AC Circuits- Single phase and Three

phase systems

AJITH VIJAYAN,EEE DEPT., MITS

 Alternating current fundamentals
- An alternating current/voltage is any current/voltage that varies both in
magnitude and direction with respect to time
Comparison of AC and DC
AC
- Magnitude of Voltage and current varies with time
- Lower cost of production
- By using transformers voltage may be stepped up/down
- HVAC transmission is economical
- AC motors like induction motors are robust, durable and are commonly used
- AC cannot be directly used for electroplating
- The switchgears for AC are simple
DC
- Magnitude of Voltage and current remains constant
- Higher cost of production
- Voltage cannot be stepped up/down easily
- HVDC transmission is costlier
- DC motors are less durable
- DC can be directly used for electroplating
- The switchgears for DC are complex
Generation of alternating voltage ( Sinusoidal voltage)
- A sinusoidal voltage can be generated by rotating a coil in a stationary
field or by rotating a magnetic field linked with a stationary coil
Consider a rectangular coil having single turn, rotating in a uniform
magnetic field with a constant angular velocity ‘ω’ in anticlockwise
direction.
 =m =mcos

In general, flux linking the coil, =mcos

But  = ωt
i.e, = mcos ωt
If there are N turns, total flux linkage = N
= N mcos ωt
= 0

 d ( N )
According to Faradays law, instantaneous value of induced emf, e =
dt
i.e, e = Nω msin ωt

e= Emsin ωt
Waveform - a graph obtained by plotting the instantaneous values of an
alternating quantity on y-axis and time on x-axis

Cycle – one complete set of positive and negative values of an alternating

quantity which repeats at regular interval
Time period (T) – time taken by the alternating quantity to complete one
cycle
Frequency (f) – the number of cycles/sec. Measured in cycles/sec or Hz
f = 1/T ω = 2f
w is the angular velocity, w = Angle turned/ time taken=2π/T
 Why sinusoidal AC?
- It produces least disturbance in electrical circuit and is the
smoothest
- The mathematical computations related to sinusoidal AC
waveforms are simpler
- When sinusoidal voltage is applied to specially designed coils, a
rotating magnetic field is produced which has the capacity to do
work, which is the principle of induction motors

Values of an alternating quantity

1. Instantaneous value
2. Amplitude/peak value/maximum value
3. Average value
4. RMS value
Instantaneous value – the value of an alternating quantity at
any instant of time

Amplitude/peak value/maximum value - the maximum

value (positive/negative) attained by an alternating quantity
during one complete cycle

Average/mean value/DC value – It is the average of the

instantaneous values over a period of time
- The average value of an alternating current is that steady direct
current which transfers the same charge across any circuit that
transferred by the alternating current during the same time
- In the case of symmetrical waveform, average value is zero. So it
is calculated over a half cycle.
- For unsymmetrical waves, full cycle should be considered
Let V1, V2, … Vn be the instantaneous values of a voltage wave at small
intervals. Then average value , Vavg = (V1 + V2 + ….. + Vn)/n

In other words, Vavg = area under the curve/time period

T
1
or Vavg   V (t )dt
T 0

Root mean square (RMS) or effective value – the rms value of

an alternating current is that equivalent DC current which produces
the same heating effect as produced by the alternating current when
allowed to flow through the same resistor for the same time.
Let V1, V2, … Vn be the instantaneous values of a voltage wave at small
intervals. Then rms value ,

V1  V2  .....  Vn
2 2 2
Vrms 
n
RMS value of any waveform V(t) over a time period T is given by,
T
1
 
2
Vrms V (t ) dt
T 0

- RMS value – square root of mean of squares of instantaneous

values
- For symmetrical waves, rms value can be calculated by
considering half/full wave
- For unsymmetrical waves, full cycle is to be considered
- AC voltmeters and ammeters indicates rms values of voltage and
current
- The domestic power supply is 230V, 50Hz. Here 230V is rms value.
It means that AC voltage available has same heating effect as
230V DC
Peak/Amplitude/crest factor (Kp) – The ratio of
maximum value to rms value of an alternating quantity
Kp = Max. value/ rms value
Importance
1. It has importance in dielectric insulation testing

Form factor (Kf) – The ratio of rms value to average

value of an alternating quantity
Kf = rms value/average value
Importance
1. We can find rms value from average value and vice versa if form factor is known
2. Form factor shows peakiness of the waveform ( ie form factor of square wave
=1, sine wave = 1.11 and triangular wave = 1.15)
 Equation of wave forms

V = Vm Sin wt Y = mt

Y = mX + C Y = m(t-to)
Y = mt + Yo Y = m(t-to) + Yo Y = m(t+to) + Yo

Y = m(t-to) - Yo Y = -m(t-to) + Yo Y = Yo
Obtain Form factor and peak factor of
following wave forms
1) Sine wave
2) Half wave rectified sine wave
3) Full wave rectified sine wave
4) Wave form given below
Obtain Form factor and peak factor of
following wave forms
5)

6)
Obtain Form factor and peak factor of
following wave forms
7)
Obtain Form factor and peak factor of
following wave forms
8)

9)
 AC circuits
Symbols used
i or i(t) – instantaneous value of current wave form (sinusoidal)
Im – Maximum value of current
I - phasor representation of current
I – rms value of current
 - phase angle ( phase angle of current phasor w.r.to reference phasor)
Phase of an alternating quantity – is the fraction of time period that
has elapsed since it has last passed from
the selected origin
- Two alternating quantities are said
to be in Phase, when they reach zero
or maximum value at the same time
- If two alternating quantities of same frequency have different zero
points, then they have a Phase difference between them. It may be
in terms of lag/lead
- The angle ‘’ by which an alternating
quantity lags/lead other alternating
quantity of same frequency is called
Phase angle

Phasor representation of alternating quantities

Phasor – A phasor is a rotating vector
- A sinusoidal quantity can be represented by a phasor, rotating in
anticlockwise direction with an angular velocity ‘ω’ rad/sec
- A full cycle of a sine wave can be represented by the rotation of a
phasor through 360◦
- The instantaneous value of a sine wave at any point is equal to the
vertical distance from the tip of the phasor to the horizontal axis
- The length of the phasor represents the maximum value of the
waveform and the angle it makes with x-axis is called its phase
- Alternating quantities of same frequency can be represented in the
same phasor diagram as shown below

- Here, v = VmSinωt and i = ImSin(ωt-)

 Forms of phasor representation
- The voltage, current and other parameters of an AC circuit may be
represented by using complex numbers.
- A complex quantity may be represented in any of the following forms

1. Rectangular form – here the phasor is represented in terms of horizontal

and vertical components with an operator ‘j’
V = a+jb
2. Polar form – here the phasor is represented
in terms of its magnitude and phase angle
w.r.to the reference axis.
Let phasor V = a+jb.
The polar form becomes, V = r<, where
r  a 2  b 2 and  = tan-1(b/a)
3. Trigonometric form
V = r (cos  jsin)
4. Exponential form – here the phasor is represented as
 j
V  re
 j operator
- When a phasor is multiplied by j (=  1 ), the phasor is rotated
through 90◦ in anticlockwise direction.
- Each successive multiplication by ‘j’ results in rotating the phasor
through an additional 90◦ in anticlockwise direction
Impedance – the opposition offered by a circuit against the
flow of ac current through it.
- It is a complex quantity
- In an ac circuit, impedance = voltage/current
- In general, impedance Z = RjX
Where, R=real part (resistance of circuit, R)
X=imaginary part ( reactance of circuit, XC or XL)
 AC through pure resistive circuit
Consider a circuit as shown
Let, applied voltage be v=VmSinωt
By Ohm’s law, current i = v/R
= (VmSinωt)/R
i.e, i = ImSinωt
Where, Im = Vm/R is the maximum value of current.
From voltage and current equations, it is clear that they are in phase. The
phasor diagram is given by
Power
Instantaneous power = v i
= VmSinωt ImSinωt
= Vm Im Sin2ωt

Vm I m Vm I mCos2t
= 
2 2

Average power for one complete cycle = (VmIm)/2 = Vrms Irms [Integrating above eqn]
Impedance of the circuit in complex form = R+j0
 AC through pure inductive circuit
Consider a circuit as shown.
Let, applied voltage be v=VmSinωt
Due to inductance (L) of the coil, a self induced
Emf is induced in the coil which opposes the
applied voltage.
i.e, VL = L(di/dt)
Applying KVL in the above circuit, v – VL = 0
i.e, Vm Sinωt – L(di/dt) = 0
di = (Vm/L)Sinωt dt
i = ʃ di = (Vm/ωL) Sin(ωt-90)
i = Im Sin(ωt-90)
Where, Im = (Vm/ωL) is the maximum value of current.
The term (ωL) is called inductive rectance (XL), which is the opposition
offered by the inductor against the flow of ac current through it.
From voltage and current equations, it is clear that current lags behind
voltage by an angle 90.
The phasor diagram is given above.
Power
Instantaneous power = v i
= VmSinωt ImSin(ωt-90)
= -Vm Im Sinωt Cosωt
= - (VmIm/2) Sin2ωt
Average power for one complete cycle = 0 (Because, on integrating
Sin2ωt from 0 to 2, we get 0)
i.e, Power consumed in a pure inductive ac circuit is 0.
Impedance of the circuit in complex form is 0+jXL
 AC through pure capacitive circuit
Consider a circuit as shown
Let, applied voltage be v=VmSinωt
The charge in the capacitor, q = C Vc = C VmSinωt
Current in the circuit, i = (dq/dt)

= CVm Sint 
d
dt
= C Vm ω Cosωt
Vm
Sin(t  90)

i= 1
C 
i = Im Sin(ωt+90)
Where, Im = (Vm ωC) is the maximum value of current.

The term (1/ωC) is called capacitive reactance (XC), which is the opposition
offered by the capacitor against the flow of ac current through it.

From voltage and current equations, it is clear that voltage lags behind current
by an angle 90. The phasor diagram is given above.
Power
Instantaneous power = v i
= VmSinωt ImSin(ωt+90)
= Vm Im Sinωt Cosωt
= (VmIm/2) Sin2ωt
Average power for one complete cycle = 0 (Because, on integrating
Sin2ωt from 0 to 2, we get 0)
i.e, Power consumed in a pure capacitive ac circuit is 0.
Impedance of the circuit in complex form is 0-jXc
 AC through series R-L circuit
Consider the circuit shown.
Let, applied voltage be, v=VmSinωt
Voltage across resistor, VR = IR (in phase with I)
Voltage across inductor, VL = IXL (leading current by 90◦)
From phasor diagram, applied voltage(v) is the resultant of VR and VL
i. e,
V  VR  VL  ( IR ) 2  ( IX L ) 2
2 2

V  I R2  X L
2

V V
I 
R2  X L Z
2

The term R 2  X L 2 is called the impedance of R-L circuit. From the

phasor diagram it is clear that current lags behind the voltage by an
angle ‘’. i.e, current i = ImSin(ωt-)
Power
In a series R-L circuit, power is consumed by resistor alone.
Average power, P = VR I
Where VR = VCos (from phasor diagram)
i. e, P = VICos
The term Cos is called power factor of the circuit.
Impedance of the circuit in complex form, Z= R+jXL
 AC through series R-C circuit
Consider the circuit shown.
Let, applied voltage be, v=VmSinωt
Voltage across resistor, VR = IR (in phase with I)
Voltage across capacitor, VC = IXC (lagging current by 90◦)
From phasor diagram, applied voltage(v) is the resultant of VR and VC
i. e,
V  VR  VC  ( IR ) 2  ( IX C ) 2
2 2

V  I R  XC
2 2

V V
I 
R2  X C Z
2

The term R 2  X C 2 is called the impedance of R-C circuit. From the

phasor diagram it is clear that current leads the voltage by an angle ‘’.
i.e, current i = ImSin(ωt+)
Power
In a series R-C circuit, power is consumed by resistor alone.
Average power, P = VR I
Where VR = VCos (from phasor diagram)
i. e, P = VICos
The term Cos is called power factor of the circuit.
Impedance of the circuit in complex form, Z= R-jXC
 AC through series RLC circuit
Consider the circuit shown.
Let, applied voltage be, v=VmSinωt
Voltage across resistor, VR = IR (in phase with I)
Voltage across inductor, VL = IXL (leading current by 90◦)
Voltage across capacitor, VC = IXC (lagging current by 90◦)

The applied voltage ‘v’ is the resultant of VR, VL and VC

Here three cases arise.
Case – 1 when VL > VC

V  VR  (VL  VC ) 2  ( IR ) 2  ( IX L  IX C ) 2
2
Case – 2 when VL < VC

V  VR  (VC  VL ) 2  ( IR ) 2  ( IX C  IX L ) 2
2

V V
I 
R 2  ( X C  X L )2 Z

Case – 3 when VL = VC
V = VR
I = V/R

Power
P = VI Cos
Impedance in complex form – RjX
Voltage triangle – The phasor diagram for a series RL and RC circuit
is shown below.

The right angled triangle with sides V, VR and VL is called voltage triangle
and it indicates relation between voltages and current in the circuit.
Impedance triangle – It can be obtained from voltage triangle by
dividing each side of the phasor diagram by I. It is a right angled triangle
whose sides represent R, XL and Z. Impedance triangle for RL and RC
circuits are shown below.
Power triangle – Consider a RL circuit in which current lags behind
voltage by an angle  as shown in phasor diagram.

Here current is divided into two components, Icos and ISin. If we

multiply currents by V, we get power triangle as shown in second figure.
This is a right angled triangle and indicates the relation between
apparent, active and reactive power.
Apparent power (S) – the total power that appears to be transferred
between source and load is called apparent power.
S = Vrms Irms
Unit – volt ampere (VA)
Active power/ true power (P) – The power which is actually
consumed in the circuit is called active power.
Active power, P = VICos
P = apparent power. Cos
Unit – Watts (W)

Reactive power (Q) – The component of the current in quadrature

with the applied voltage is known as reactive or wattless component of
current (Isin). The product of voltage and reactive component of
current is called reactive power.
Reactive power, Q = VISin
Unit – volt ampere reactive (VAR)
Beer Mug Analogy
Power factor – The power factor of a circuit can be defined in one of
the following ways,
1. Power factor – Cos - Cosine of angle between V and I
2. Power factor - Cos = (R/Z) = resistance/impedance
3. Power factor = (VICos)/(VI) = Active power/apparent power
(It is a usual practice to use the word lagging or leading with numerical
value of power factor to signify whether current lags or leads the
voltage)
Significance – The apparent power drawn by a circuit has 2 components
– active and reactive power. The active component should be as large as
possible because it is doing useful work.
We know, active power = apparent power . Cos 
So if  = 0, Cos = 1, active power = apparent power, and power
utilization is maximum. Thus power factor of a circuit is a measure of
the effectiveness in utilizing the apparent power drawn by it.
 Impedance
Circuit Voltage Current Impedance, Z in complex Power
form
ImSinωt
R circuit VmSinωt Z= V/I = R R+j0 VI

VmSinωt ImSin(ωt-90) Z = V/I = XL =

L circuit 0+jXL 0
2fL
VmSinωt ImSin(ωt+90) Z = V/I = XC =
C circuit 0-jXC 0
1/(2fC)
RL VmSinωt ImSin(ωt-) Z = V/I = R+jXL
VIcos
circuit R  XL
2 2

RC VmSinωt ImSin(ωt+) Z = V/I = R-jXC VIcos

circuit R2  X C
2

RLC VmSinωt ImSin(ωt) Z = V/I = RjX VIcos

circuit R2  X L  X C 
2
Parallel RLC circuits
In a parallel RLC circuit, two or more impedances are joined in parallel.
The voltage across each element is same, but currents are different. The
total current in the circuit is the phasor sum of individual currents
Admittance (Y) – It is the reciprocal of impedance
i.e, Y = 1/Z = I/V
Unit – siemens
Conductance, G = 1/R
Inductive susceptance, BL = 1/XL
Capacitive susceptance, BC = 1/XC
Series R-L circuit
Z = R+jXL Y = G-jBL

Admittance triangle
Series RC circuit,
Z = R+jXC Y = G+jBC

Solution to parallel circuits

a) When two impedances are connected in parallel
Consider two impedances Z1 and Z2 connected in parallel across an ac
source as shown.
Now, I1 = V/(Z1) and I2 = V/(Z2)
I = V/Z

Z1 Z 2
where Z 
Z1  Z 2
b) When a number of impedances are connected in parallel
Consider a number of impedances connected in parallel. Now
the resultant impedance of the circuit can be found by

1 1 1 1
   ..... 
Z Z1 Z 2 Zn

Finally the equivalent circuit can be drawn as

I = V/Z
I1 = V/Z1, I2 = V/Z2,…..In = V/Zn
 Numerical Problems
1) A coil has resistance of 5Ω and inductance
31.8 milli H. Calculate the current taken by the
coil, power consumed and power factor when
connected to 220V, 50Hz supply. If a non-
inductive resistance of 10Ω is connected in
series with the coil, calculate the new value of
current and power factor.
 Numerical Problems
2) A series circuit consisting of 1.6Ω resistance
and 7.2Ω inductive reactance is connected in
series to parallel combination of i) resistance 4Ω
, inductive reactance 3Ω and ii) Resistance 6Ω
and capactive reactance 8Ω. Find the total
impedance, current taken from the supply,
power and power factor of the circuit. The
supply voltage is 100V, 50Hz.
 Numerical problems
3) A single phase 220V,50Hz supply is given to a
circuit consisting of a resistance 20Ω, inductance
of 20milli Henry and capacitance of 150 micro
Farad in series. Find i) impedance of the
circuit ii) current drawn from the supply iii)
power factor iv) power drawn from the supply.
 Numerical problems
4) A voltage of 120 V at 50 Hz is applied to a
resistance R in series with a capacitance C. The
current drawn is 2 A, and the power loss in the
resistance is 100 W. Calculate the resistance and
the capacitance.
 Numerical problems
5) A 200 V, 50 Hz supply is connected to a
resistance (R) of 20 Ω in series with an iron
cored choke coil (r in series with L). The readings
of the voltmeters across the resistance and
across the coil are 120 V and 150 V respectively.
Find the loss in the coil. Also find the total
power factor. Draw the phasor diagram.
 Numerical Problems
6) Calculate the current and power factor
(lagging / leading) in the following cases for the
circuits having impedances as given, fed from an
ac supply of 200 V. Also draw the phasor
diagram in all cases. (i) Z = (15+j20) Ω (ii) Z =
(14-j14) Ω (iii) Z = R + j (XL – XC), where R = 10
Ω, XL = 20 Ω, and XC = 10 Ω.
 Numerical Problems
7) A resistor (R) of 50 Ω in parallel with a
capacitor (C) of 40 μF, is connected in series with
a pure inductor (L) of 30 mH to a 100 V, 50 Hz
supply. Calculate the total current and also the
current in the capacitor. Draw the phasor
diagram.
 Numerical Problems
• A single phase 220V,50Hz supply is given to a
circuit consisting of a resistance 20Ω,
inductance of 20milli Henry and capacitance
of 150 micro Farad in series. Find i)
impedance of the circuit ii) current drawn
from the supply iii) power factor iv) power
drawn from the supply.
 Numerical Problems
• A voltage of 120 V at 50 Hz is applied to a
resistance R in series with a capacitance C.
The current drawn is 2 A, and the power loss
in the resistance is 100 W. Calculate the
resistance and the capacitance.
 Numerical problems
• Calculate the current and power factor
(lagging / leading) in the following cases for
the circuits having impedances as given, fed
from an ac supply of 200 V. Also draw the
phasor diagram in all cases. (i) Z = (15+j20) Ω
(ii) Z = (14-j14) Ω (iii) Z = R + j (XL – XC), where
R = 10 Ω, XL = 20 Ω, and XC = 10 Ω.
 Numerical problems
1. Find the input voltage at 50 Hz to be applied to the circuit shown in Fig., such that the
current in the capacitor is 8 A?
 Numerical Problems
8)
Three Phase Systems
Poly phase system – A system which has many phases.
- Each phase having a single alternating voltage of equal magnitude and
frequency but displaced from one another by equal electrical angle
- Single phase system (One AC voltage)
- Two phase system (Two AC voltages displaced by 90◦)
- Three phase system (Three AC voltages displaced by 120 ◦)
Advantages of three phase system
1. For a given frame size, a 3 phase generator/motor has greater
output than that of a 1 phase generator/motor
2. 3 phase generators work in parallel without any difficulty
3. 3 phase motors produce uniform torque
4. 3 phase induction motors are self starting
5. 3 phase transmission line require lesser amount of conductor
material compared to 1 phase
6. 3 phase induction motors are smaller and cheaper compared to 1
phase motors
 Generation of 3 phase AC voltage
- When 3 identical coils are placed at 120 ◦ from each other and rotated in a
uniform magnetic field, sinusoidal AC voltages are generated in each coil. This
is the principle of 3 phase AC generator
- Consider three identical coils RR1, YY1 and BB1 placed at an angle 120 ◦
- Since the coils are identical and rotated in same
field, emf induced in them is of same magnitude
and frequency
- The equation of 3 induced emfs are
eR = EmSinωt
eY = EmSin(ωt-120◦)
eB = EmSin(ωt-240◦) = EmSin(ωt+120◦)
- The wave form of three phase voltages are
shown below
Phase sequence/order – The order in which the voltages in the
three phases of an alternator reach their maximum positive value.
- The phase sequence is determined by direction of rotation of the
alternator. (RYB and RBY phase sequence)

Three phase connections

1. Star or Y connection
- Here similar ends of the three phase windings are joined together
within the alternator and three lines are run from the other free ends
as shown in figure.
- The common point ‘N’ is called neutral point or star point.
- In star connection, neutral conductor may or may not be brought out.
- If a neutral conductor exists, then the system is called 3 phase, 4 wire
star connected system
- If there is no neutral conductor, then the system is called 3 phase, 3
wire star connected system
• The voltage between any phase and
neutral point is called the phase voltage
(VRN, VYN and VBN)
• The voltage between any two phase is
called the line voltage (VRY, VYB and VBR)
Relation between line and phase voltages and currents in
Star connected system
Relation between line and phase voltage
- Consider a 3 phase balanced star connected system
(a balanced 3 phase supply is one in which the three phase voltages
are equal in magnitude and frequency but displaced by 120 ◦ from
each other)
- Let VRN, VYN and VBN be the phase voltages
- Now the line voltages are given by
VRY = VRN – VYN
VYB = VYN – VBN
VBR = VBN – VRN
- Consider the phasor diagram shown below. The voltage VRY is the
resultant of VRN and –VYN

VRY  VRN  VYN  2VRNVYN Cos

2 2

VRY  V ph  V ph  2V phV phCos60

2 2

VRY  3V ph  3 V ph
2

VL  3 V ph
Relation between line and phase currents
- In star connection each line conductor is connected in series with a
phase winding. Therefore line current is same as phase current.
Line current IL = Iph
Power
Total three phase power, P = 3 x power in each phase
P = 3VphIphCos
VL
For star connection, V ph  and Iph = IL
3
P = 3 VLILCos

i.e, Active power, P = 3VphIphCos = 3 VLILCos

Reactive power, Q = 3VphIphSin = 3 VLILSin
Apparent power, S = 3VphIph = 3 VLIL
2. Delta or mesh connection
- Here dissimilar ends of the three phase windings are joined together
to form a closed mesh. ( i.e, finishing end of one phase connected to
starting end of other and so on)
- 3 phase, 3 wire delta connected system
Relation between line and phase voltages and currents in
Delta connected system
Relation between line and phase voltages
- Here one phase winding is included between any pair of lines. Hence
in delta connection, VL = Vph
Relation between line and phase current
- In delta connection, the current in each line is equal to the phasor
difference of the currents in two phases attached to that line
- The phase currents are IR, IY and IB
The line current, IL = IR-IB
I L  I R  I B  2 I R I B Cos
2 2

 I ph  I ph  2 I ph I phCos60
2 2

I L  3 I ph  3 I ph
2

Power
Total three phase power, P = 3 x power in each phase
P = 3VphIphCos

For delta connection, Vph = VL and Iph = IL / 3

P = 3 VLILCos 
* The equation of active, reactive and apparent power remains same in
star and delta connection
 Measurement of power in AC circuits
- Power is measured by using wattmeter
- Wattmeter consist of two coils
1. current coil – having low resistance, connected in series with the line
whose power is to be measured
2. pressure coil – having high resistance, connected across the line

- A wattmeter indicates a power which is the product of current through

current coil, voltage across pressure coil and cosine of angle between
voltage and current
 Measurement of 3 phase power – Two wattmeter method
- This method is used to measure power in 3 phase 3 wire circuits
- By using this method active and reactive power can be measured
- The connection diagram is shown below
For wattmeter 1, W1 = VRB IR Cos(30-) = VL IL Cos(30-)
For wattmeter 2, W2 = VYB IY Cos(30+) = VL IL Cos(30+)
Measurement of 3 phase active power
W1+W2 = VL IL [Cos(30-) + Cos(30+)]
= VL IL [(Cos30Cos+Sin30Sin)+(Cos30Cos-Sin30Sin)
= VL IL 2 Cos30Cos
= 3 VL IL Cos = 3 phase active power
Measurement of 3 phase reactive power
W1-W2 = VL IL [Cos(30-) - Cos(30+)]
= VL IL [(Cos30Cos+Sin30Sin)-(Cos30Cos-Sin30Sin)
= VL IL 2 Sin30Sin = VL IL Sin
But 3 phase reactive power = 3 VL IL Sin = 3 (W1-W2)

3 (W1  W2 )
tan  
W1  W2
 Numerical Problems
1) A balanced load of (9-j6) Ω per phase,
connected in delta, is fed from a three
phase, 100V supply. Find the line current, power
factor, total power, reactive VA and total VA.
 Numerical Problems
2) Three star-connected impedances, Z1 = (8-
j6) Ω per phase, are connected across a three-
phase 230V supply. Find the line current, total
power factor, total power, reactive VA, and total
VA.
 Numerical problems
3) Calculate the readings of the two watt
meters ( W1 & W2 ) connected to
measure the total power for a balanced,
symmetrical star-connected load shown in
Fig. , fed from a three-phase, 400 V balanced
supply with phase sequence as R-Y-B. The load
impedance per phase is (20+j15)Ω. Also find the
line and phase currents, power factor, total
power, total reactive VA and total VA.
Qn 3 contd..
 Numerical Problems
4) A balanced three phase load connected in
star, each phase consists of resistance of 100 
paralleled with a capacitance of 31.8 F. The
load is connected to a three phase supply of
415 V; 50 Hz. Calculate:(a) the line current;(b)
the power absorbed;(c) total kVA; (d) power
factor
 Numerical Problems
5) Three delta-connected impedances,
Z = (30+j15) Ω per phase, across a three-phase
230V supply. Find the line current, total power
factor, total power, reactive VA, and total VA.
Numerical problems
No: 6
Numerical problems
No: 7