SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT NO.5

DETERMINATION OF VOLTAGE - CURRENT
IN AN UNBALANCED THREE PHASE WYE CONNECTED LOAD

SCORE

NAME: SIOCO, IRAH JANE DATE PERFORMED: OCTOBER 2, 2019

YEAR AND SECTION: BSEE IV – GI DATE SUBMITTED: OCTOBER 2, 2019

ENGR. ROMEO MAROTO

INSTRUCTOR
I. Objectives
1. To be able to determine the voltage and current of the unbalanced three-phase wye
connected load by actual measurement using an available measuring devices in the
laboratory.

2. To be able to compare actual value and theoretical value.

II. Introductory Information

Three phase circuit is the polyphase system where three phases are send together from
the generator to the load. Each phase are having a phase difference of 120o, i.e 120o angle
electrically. So from the total of 360o, three phases are equally divided into 120o each. The power
in three phase system is continuous as all the three phases are involved in generating the total

Unbalance is calculated in terms of maximum deviation of current in a phase from the mean
of three phases. To calculate the percentage deviation- [1]

Where- Im is mean of currents in three phases (i.e. Im= (Ir+Iy+Ib)/3

Ir, Iy, Ib are phase currents.
Effects of unbalance:

1. The unbalance decreases the motor efficiency by causing extra heating in the motor.
Heat generated also effect the equipment life by increasing the operating temperature,
which decompose the grease or oil in the bearing and de-rate the motor windings.
2. In induction motors connected to unbalanced supply, the negative sequence currents f low
along with positive sequence current resulting in decreased percentage of productive
current and poor motor efficiency. Any unbalance above 3% hampers the motor efficiency.

3. Torque (and thus the speed) produced by the motor becomes fluctuating. Thes e sudden
changes in torque cause more vibration in the gear box or the equipment connected to it.
The vibration and noise produced damages the equipment and also reduces the efficiency
of equipment.

4. The variable frequency or speed drives connected to an unbalanced system can trip off.
VFD treats high level unbalances as phase fault and can trip on earth fault or missing phase
fault.

5. Unbalances cause de-rating of power cables and thus increase I2R losses in the cable.
For distribution cables de-rating factor represents the part of total current giving fruitful
outcomes.

6. UPS or inverter supplies also perform with poor efficiency and inject more harmonic
currents in case of unbalances in the system.
7. Negative phase sequence current flowing due to unbalance can cause faults in the motor,
resulting in, tripping or permanent damage of the electrical equipment.
 In star connection, there is four wire, three wires are phase wire and fourth is
neutral which is taken from the star point. Star connection is preferred for long distance power
transmission because it is having the neutral point. In this we need to come to the concept of
balanced and unbalanced current in power system.

When equal current will flow through all the three phases, then it is called as balanced current.
And when the current will not be equal in any of the phase, then it is unbalanced current. During
balanced condition there will be no current flowing through the neutral line and hence there is no
use of the neutral terminal. But when there will be unbalanced current flowing in the three phase
circuit, neutral is having a vital role. It will take the unbalanced current through to the ground
and protect the transformer. Unbalanced current affects transformer and it may also cause
damage to the transformer and for this star connection is preferred for long distance
transmission. Suppose due to load impedance the current lags the applied voltage in each phase
of the system by an angle ϕ. As we have considered that the system is perfectly balanced, the
magnitude of current and voltage of each phase is the same. Let us say, the magnitude of the
voltage across the red phase i.e. magnitude of the voltage between neutral point (N) and red
phase terminal (R) is VR.

Similarly, the magnitude of the voltage across yellow phase is VY and the magnitude of the
voltage across blue phase is VB. In the balanced star system, magnitude of phase voltage in each
phase is Vph.
VR = VY = VB = Vph
We know in the star connection, line current is same as phase current. The magnitude of
this current is same in all three phases and say it is IL.

IR = IY = IB = IL

Where, IR is line current of R phase, IY is line current of Y phase and IB is line current of
B phase. Again, phase current, Iph of each phase is same as line current IL in star connected
 system.
IR = IY = IB = IL = Iph.

Now, let us say, the voltage across R and Y terminal of the star connected circuit is VRY.
The voltage across Y and B terminal of the star connected circuit is VYB. Now, as angle between
VR and VY is 120o(electrical), the angle between VR and – VY is 180o – 120o = 60o(electrical).

In star connection, the line voltage is √3 times of phase voltage. Line voltage is the
voltage between two phases in three phase circuit and phase voltage is the voltage between one
phase to the neutral line. And the current is same for both line and phase. It is shown as
expression below

III. Procedure
1. Prepare the materials and equipment needed in the experiment.
2. Make the connection in wye unbalanced load.
3. Connect the measuring instruments as shown.
4. Record the data gathered in the measuring devices.
5. Make a comparison on actual and theoretical values

IV. Equipment and Materials

3 sets of trainer (resistive, inductive, capacitive)

Connecting wires
2 Multimeter (1 Voltmeter & 1 Ammeter)
1 Three Phase Supply
V. Circuit Diagram

Circuit Diagram Of An Unbalanced Wye – Connected Load

 IC

C
VCA
IA
A VBC

B
IB

VBN

VCN

Actual Wiring Connection Of An Unbalanced Wye – Connected Load

VI. Drawing / Set-up
VII. DATA ANALYSIS & RESULTS

MEASURED THEORETICAL PERCENTAGE

VOLTAGE CURRENT CURRENT DIFFERENCE

VAB VBC VCA VAN VBN VCN IA IB IC IA IB IC IA IB IC

R1 =
R2 =
XL =
XC =

Sample Computation:
VIII. Observation
IX. Conclusion
X. Related Literature