Experiment no 1

Power measurement in balanced 3 phase circuits and power factor

improvement

1 Power in Single Phase Circuits

√
Let
√ v = V m cos(ωt) = 2V cos(ωt) is the voltage applied to a R-L circuit and i = Im cos(ωt − θ) =
2I cos(ωt − θ) is the current flowing in it (V and I are the rms values of the voltage and current
respectively).
The power at any instant of time is
p = vi = Vm Im cos(ωt) cos(ωt − θ)
Vm Im Vm Im
p= 2
cos θ + 2
cos(2ωt − θ)
Vm Im Vm Im Vm Im
p= 2
cos θ + 2
cos(2ωt) cos θ + 2
sin θ sin (2ωt)
A careful study of the above equation reveals the following characteristics:
• The average value of power = P = Vm2 Im cos θ = V I cos θ Watts.
In AC circuits, when we talk of power rating, we are usually referring to the average power. For
example, a “100 W” bulb implies that average power output of the bulb is 100 W.
• The frequency of instantaneous power is twice the frequency of the voltage and current. Note
that instantaneous power may be negative for a portion of each cycle, even if the load is passive.
In a passive network, negative power at a given instant implies that energy stored in inductors
or capacitors is being given back to the supply at that instant.
The fact that the instantaneous power varies with time explains why some single phase mo-
tor driven appliances such as refrigerators, which are fed from single phase supply experience
vibration, and hence require resilient mountings to prevent excessive vibration of the equipment.
• If the load is purely resistive, the voltage and current are in phase, which means that θ = 0. The
above equation reduces to p = P + P cos(2ωt). In this case instantaneous real power can never
be negative, i.e., power cannot be given back to the supply from a purely resistive network.
• If the circuit is purely reactive ( either capacitive or inductive, θ = ±90o ), the expression for
instantaneous power is p = Vm2Im sin(2ωt). The average power is zero. Therefore in a purely
reactive circuit there is no average power dissipation. Energy is drawn from the supply for a part
of a cycle is stored, and given back in another part of a cycle. However, since there is a current
flow, the supply system must be designed to source such currents. Therefore it is useful to define
a quantity called “reactive power” as follows:
Vm Im
Q= 2
sin θ = V I sin θ

• Dimensionally P and Q are same. However, in order to distinguish between average (also called
“real power”) and reactive power, we use the term ‘VAr’ for reactive power. Q is positive for
inductive load and negative for capacitive load. In other words inductors demand or absorb
reactive power while capacitors furnish or deliver the reactive power. For purely resistive circuits,
Q=0.

1
If v and i are represented by phasors V and I, then it is easily seen that
∗
S = P + jQ = V I
cos θ = √ P2 2
P +Q

S is called the complex power and cos θ is called the power factor. Power factor is said to be leading if
θ is negative (capacitive circuits), and lagging for if θ is positive (inductive circuits).
Dimensionally, complex power is the same as real and reactive power. However, in order to distinguish
complex power from real and reactive √ power, we use the term ‘volt amps’ or ‘VA’. The magnitude of
∗
complex power (|S| = S = |V I | = P 2 + Q2 = VI), is referred to as apparent power.
S indicates the capacity of the source required to supply the load. The apparent power specifications
of source and load equipment can be more important than the average power specifications. This is
because any electrical equipment requires appropriate design of conductor size, amount of dielectric
(insulation) and magnetic material to handle both current and voltage magnitudes. Thus S has a direct
bearing on size and cost of any electrical equipment. Since average power represents the useful output
of the load equipment (essentially energy converting devices like motors, heaters, lighting), operating
such equipment close to unity power factor is desirable (i.e, P should be as close to S as possible, or Q
should be minimized).
The vector diagram for a lagging load is shown in Fig.1 (a). The current vector lags the voltage vector
by and angle θ. In Fig. 1(b) the current phasor is resolved along x and y axes and in Fig.1(c) these
components are multiplied by V. The resulting triangle is known as power triangle. The sides of the
triangle are P, Q and S, where,

P = V I cos θ Watt
Q = V I sin θ VAr
S = V I VA

1.1 Measurement of Power in single phase circuit

Power consumed by single phase load can be measured using a wattmeter. This meter comprises of the
following:

• Two identical current coils. Depending upon the magnitude of load current these coils are con-
nected either in series or in parallel ( if the current rating of one coil is less than the load current,
these coils are connected in parallel, otherwise they are connected in series). The two ends of
these coils are marked as ‘M’ which stands for Mains, and ‘L’ for load. The current coils are
connected in series with the load.

• A voltage coil with different voltage tapings. Depending upon the voltage applied to the load
suitable taping is used. The two ends of this coil are marked as ‘C’ which stands for common
and ‘V’ stands for voltage. This coil is connected across the load. The terminals C and M are
connected together.

The reading of this meter is proportional to

Vapp IF l cos 6 (I F l & V app )

where, Vapp is the voltage applied to voltage coil, & IF l is current flowing through the current coil.

2
2 Three Phase System
The generation, transmission, distribution and utilization of large blocks of electric power are accom-
plished by means of three-phase circuits. A balanced three phase system consists of three sinusoidal
voltages of identical amplitudes and frequency but are out of phase with each other by 120o . In dis-
cussing three-phase circuits, standard practice is to refer the three phase as A, B, and C ( or R,Y,
B). Furthermore, the A-phase ( or R-phase) is almost always used as the reference phase. Because the
phase voltages are out of phase by 120o , two possible phase relationships can exist between the A phase
( or R phase) voltage and the B and C phase voltages ( Y and B). One possibility is for the B phase
to lag the A phase by 120o ( phase C will be lagging B phase by 120o , or lead A phase by 120o ). In
this case the phase relationship is known as ABC (or RYB) phase sequence. The only other possibility
is for the C phase to lag A phase ( or B phase to lead A phase by 120o ). This phase relationship is
known as ACB sequence. In phasor notation, two possible sets of balanced phase voltages are:
V a = V 6 0; V b = V 6 −120o ; V c = V 6 −240o ;
and V a = V 6 0; V c = V 6 −120o ; V b = V 6 −240o = V 6 +120o .

An important characteristic of balanced three phase voltages is that the sum of the voltages is zero
(V a + V b + V c = 0). Three phase voltage sources can be either Y ( star) or delta connected. These
connections are shown in Fig.2 (a) and (b) respectively. Let V an , V bn and V cn are the phase voltages
( the voltage between line and neutral). Now there are 4 wires - three for three lines and fourth one
for the neutral. All the single phase loads are connected between any one of the lines and neutral.
The relationship between the line-line voltage (V ab , V bc and V ca ) and phase voltage can be derived as
follows:
Referring to Fig.2(a), the line-line voltages for ABC sequence are:
√
V ab = V an − V bn = V 6 0 − V 6 −120o = 3V 6 30o
√ √
Similarly, V bc = 3V 6 −90o V ca = 3V 6 −210o

In three phase system the load is said to be balanced if the magnitude and phase of the load im-
pedance connected to each phase is the same. For the Fig.2 (b), the phase current ( the current in each
phase of the load) is

V an 6
IA = Zan
= VZ 6 θ0 = I 6 −θ
V bn 6
IB = Zbn
= V Z−120
6 θ = I 6 −(120 + θ)
V cn V 6 −240
IC = Zcn
= Z6 θ = I 6 −(240 + θ)

Line current is the current in each phase of the line. In star connected system, phase currents & line
currents are identical. The complete vector diagram for a three phase system feeding a star connected
load is shown in fig.3(a).
For delta connected system shown in Fig. 2(b), line to line voltage is the same as phase voltage.
However, the relationship between the phase currents and line currents can be determined as follows:
The phase currents are given by:
V ab 6
I ab = Zab
= VZ 6 θ0 = I 6 −θ
V bc 6
I bc = Zbc
= V Z−120
6 θ = I 6 −(120 + θ)
V ca 6
I ca = Zca
= V Z−2406 θ = I 6 −(240 + θ)

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We can write the line currents in terms of the phase currents by direct application of KCL:
√
I A = I ab√− I ca = I 6 −θ − I 6 −(240 + θ) = 3I 6 −(30
√ + θ)
I B = I bc − I ab = 3I −(150 + θ) & I C = I ca − I bc = 3I 6 −(270 + θ)
6

The complete vector diagram for a three phase system feeding a delta connected load is shown in
fig.3(b).

2.1 Power in three phase circuits:

In a balanced three phase system, the magnitude of each line-to-neutral voltage (also line-line) is the
same, as is the magnitude of each phase current. Therefore, the expression for total power in terms of
phase current and phase voltage is given by:
P = 3 V I cos θ Watt, θ = 6 (I&V )
In-terms of line voltage & line current the above expression becomes:
√
P = 3 VL IL cos θ Watt, θ = 6 (I & V )
In the above expression V and I are the rms values of the phase voltage and phase current respectively.
We can also calculate reactive power (Q) and complex power (S). For balanced load, the expressions
for Q and S are given by:
√ √
Q = 3 VL IL sin θ VAr, θ = 6 ( I & V ), S = 3 VL IL VA
All the above equations are valid for both the connections (Y or Delta).

2.2 Measurement of Power in Three phase circuit

Real power in balanced (or unbalanced ) 3 phase circuits can be measured by using two wattmeters
connected in any two lines of a three-phase three wire system. In Fig.4(a) the current coils are connected
in lines A and C, with the voltage coil reference connections in line B. The current flowing through the
current coil of the wattmeter connected in line A is I A and that in line C is I C . Similarly, the voltage
applied to the voltage coils is V ab and V cb (and not V bc ) respectively. Their readings will be:
WA = Vab IA cos 6 ( I A & V ab ) and WB = Vcb IC cos 6 ( I C & V cb )
From Fig.3 (a or b) angle between Vab and IA is (30 + θ) and between Vcb and Ic is (30 − θ). Therefore
the wattmeter readings will be:
√ √
W1 = 3 V IA cos(30 + θ) W2 = 3 V IC cos(30 − θ)
√
W1 + W2 = 3 V I cos θ = 3 VL IL cos θ Watt

Note that if θ is greater than 60o , W1 will be negative. In actual power measurement
it is possible to encounter such a situation when one of the wattmeters has negative read-
ing. The point to remember is that the total power in three phase circuit is obtained by
adding the two wattmeter readings, taking the signs of the readings into account.
It may be worthwhile to identify the following cases:
• If θ is zero (load is purely resistive), W1 = W2 and both are positive.
• For θ = 60o lag, W1 = 0. Similarly for θ = 60o lead, W2 = 0.
Note that you will be using a Power analyzer to measure power. It is also possible to measure other
quantities such as voltage, current, Q, S, power factor etc. using this equipment.

4
3 Power factor Improvement:
Electrical service to industrial customers is given as a three-phase supply as opposed to the single phase
power supplied to residential and small commercial customers. Most electric loads are reactive in na-
ture and have lagging power factor (less than unity). Transmission lines, transformers and generators
of the electric power utility have to carry the lagging reactive power of the load. Transformers, the
distribution systems and the generators are all rated in kVA or MVA. An improvement in the power
factor leads to a reduction in KVA for the same real (average) power supplied. This leads to a release
in some of the generation and transmission capability so that it can be used to serve more customers.
Generally, power is distributed through transmission lines ( in the city of Mumbai, power is distributed
through underground cables) and the voltage at one end of these lines is maintained constant. These
transmission lines have finite resistance and inductance. From Fig.1 it can be inferred that as the
power factor falls, for a fixed amount of power, the magnitude of current flowing through these lines
increases. As a result the voltage at the load end drops. Also, loss in the transmission line increases
thereby decreasing the overall efficiency.
In order to discourage the bulk consumers drawing a large amount of reactive power from the source,
the utilities charge higher tariff if the power factor falls below a specified value. Hence, to improve the
power factor, capacitors in three-phase banks are connected to the system, such that the combination
of the plant load and the capacitor banks presents a load to the serving utility which is nearer to unity
power factor. This is explained with the help of Fig.5. In the Fig.5(a), a R-L load is being supplied
by the source and a capacitor is connected across the load. The vector diagram for this combination is
shown in Fig.5(b). It is known that the capacitor draws a leading current (or supplies lagging current)
from the source. If the magnitude of the current drawn by the capacitor is equal to the quadrature
component of the load current (Iy = IL sin θ), the source will then supply only the active component
of current (Ix ). In that case there is a significant reduction in the current flowing through the trans-
mission line ( without the capacitor the current flowing in the transmission line is ‘IL ’ and with the
capacitor it is IL cos θ). This results in the decrease in voltage drop and power loss in the transmission
line.

Note to TAs/RAs: Explain the following:

• wattmeter connection and the procedure for determining the multiplying factor.
• various features of power analyzer and various parts of energy meter.

4 Laboratory Work
4.1 Part- I Star Connected Load:
• Connect the incandescent bulbs in Y & complete the circuit connection as shown in Fig. 4(a).

• Set the output voltage of the autotransformer (also called as variac)to zero and switch on the 3
phase 415, 50 Hz supply.

• Slowly increase the output voltage of the variac by turning the regulating handle till the voltmeter
reads 400 V. The corresponding voltage across each bulb will be 230 V (Note that one can directly
apply 400 V to this star connected load. We carry out the above procedure just as a precautionary
measure). Note down all the meter readings and determine the load power factor.

• Observe the current and voltage waveforms (line-line) on the power analyzer and measure the
angle between these two waveforms.

5
 • Reduce the output voltage of the variac to zero & switch off the supply.

4.2 Part II Delta Connected Load

• Connect the bulbs in delta without disturbing other part of the circuit. Switch on three phase
supply.

• Slowly increase the output voltage of the variac by turning the regulating handle till
the voltmeter reads 230 V. Note down all the meter readings. Determine the power factor
and compare the meter reading with those of Part-1.

• Reduce the output voltage to zero and switch off the supply.

4.3 Part III Powerfactor Improvement:

• Connect the circuit as shown in Fig.6. Ensure that the load ( three phase induction motor) is
connected in delta and switches S1 , S2 and S3 are open.

• Switch on the 3 phase supply. Keep an eye on the ammeter needle and gradually increase the
output voltage till the voltmeter reads 230 V (You will observe initially a high current flows
through the motor. As the motor accelerates this current reduces automatically. The reason for
this behaviour will be explained by the instructor who teaches EE-218 at the appropriate time).
Note down all the meter readings. Reduce the applied voltage to the load to zero.

• There are three delta connected capacitor banks each of 10µF per phase. These banks can be
connected across the load by closing S1 , S2 & S3 . Connect the first capacitor bank across the
load by closing S1 .

• Gradually increase the output voltage of the variac to 230 V. Note all the meter readings. Reduce
the voltage to zero.

• Close S2 and S3 in steps and for each case repeat the above step. Please ensure that the
applied voltage to the load is zero before closing the switches.

• Open S1 , S2 and S3 .

• Determine the source powerfactor for all the cases.

− − − − ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ − − −−

5 Questions to be answered
A With all three capacitor banks connected across the load, the source powerfactor might be now
leading. How can you infer this from the readings? Are there any advantages of overcompensating
the load?

B You might have observed the voltage & current waveforms on the power analyzer (step-iv in
‘section 4.1’). Why is the angle between these two waveforms is 30o even though the load is
purely resistive?

C What is the reason for reducing the voltage to zero every time before switching on the capacitors?

6
D You have been given thick and thin wires for connections. Which one will you use for connecting
(i) an ammeter and (ii) a voltmeter? Justify your answer.

E During the late hours of the night you might have observed the intensity of the incandescent bulb
is much higher compared to that during 7-8pm. What could be the reason?

F Why do the single phase motor driven appliances experience vibration?

G You might have observed the power sockets with two pins while, some of them with three pins.
What is the difference between these power sockets?

H Utilities use energy meters to measure the energy consumed by consumers. Energy is given by
R
ER = P dt
E = (V I cos θ) dt

where P is the power consumed by the load. From Fig. 1 it can be inferred that though the
consumer is drawing ‘I’ A of current, he/she is being charged only for I cos θ. In other words
there is no apparent advantage of improving the power factor to unity. Is this correct? Justify
your answer.

I Suppose (3+j4) kVA load is being supplied at 230 V ( load voltage) and the transmission line has
an impedance of (1 + j1)Ω. Determine the following:

(a) voltage at the source terminals

(b) power loss in the transmission line
(c) the required kVAR rating of the capacitor to compensate the load fully (source supplies only
the active component of current).
(d) source current, drop is the transmission line, power loss in the transmission line after com-
pensation.

J Find the per phase capacitance necessary to improve the powerfactor to unity in Part-III ( section-
iv) for the following capacitor connections:

i Star
ii Delta

− − − − ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ − − −−

V IcosΘ V VIcosΘ= P
Θ Θ Θ
IsinΘ VIsinΘ= Q
I
I VI = S
(a) Vector diagram of voltage (b) Separation of current to real (c) Active and reactive power
and current for lagging load and reactive components for corresponding currents.

Figure 1: Vector Diagram for an Inductive load

7
Activity: Validating Two-Wattmeter Method Results through Analysis of
Generalized V-I Data Obtained using Oscilloscope
• In this experiment, students will be given data of instantaneous voltage and current
readings for a predetermined load, captured using a digital oscilloscope. Utilize
Excel/Matlab programming to perform calculations for W1, W2, active power, reactive
power and power factor based on the acquired data.
• Afterwards, compare the computed results with readings obtained through the Two-
Wattmeter method.
• Generate a comprehensive report that includes the percentage of error observed and an in-
depth explanation for any discrepancies encountered during the comparison.
• The oscilloscope data is given as the .csv file on the moodle.

Questions:
1. When using the capacitors for power factor correction, plot the capacitor currents using a DSO.
Are the current waveforms through the capacitors sinusoidal? If not, why?

Fig1. Load Voltage and load currents in normal condition

 Fig2. Load voltage and load current with capacior bank (Capacitor current in blue)

2.Measure the power meter readings for a particular loading of the induction motor :
Irms, Vrms (line-line), W1, W2
The corresponding instantaneous samples of measurements of Vab, Vbc, Vca ( line voltages) and
the instantaneous line currents have been given in the file, with time values.
Plot these voltages and currents with respect to time.
Numerically compute the rms values of Vrms (line-line), Irms, and total three-phase instantaneous
power using Excel/Matlab.
Compare with those obtained from the 2 wattmeter readings.
3. The current drawn by a computer is as shown in fig3. Can you explain the nature of the
waveform? Comment upon the power factor in this case. Can the power factor be improved by
adding capacitor bank?
 [

Fig3. Computer SMPS current

 IA
A a
A IA
Z Van a
V 0 Iab
V 0 Z Z
n V −240
N Ica
Vbn Vcn B C IB b
V −120
IC Ibc c
IB b V −120 Z
C c
V −240 B Z Z
IC

Fig. 2(a) Star − Star System Fig. 2(b) Delta − Delta System

Figure 2: Schematic configuration of star − delta supply and load system

Ia Vca
a Vcn Ic Vab= VAB
= 3V
Z Van
30o Van= V

N
Vbn Ib Ia
Vcn 30o

Ib Vbn
b Z Z
c Ic
Vbc = VBC
Fig. 3(a) Vector Diagram for a 3−phase system supplying
a balanced star connected load

Ia a Ic
Vca Ica
Iab
Z Z
30o
Ica
Ib Ib Vab
Ibc c 30o
Ic b Z I
Ibc 30o ab

Vbc
Ia
Fig. 3(b) Vector Diagram for a 3−phase system supplying
a balanced delta connected load

8
 Autotransformer
A
5A W1 5A/500V
M L a
415V, 3−phase, 50Hz

A
A
B 3−Phase
C V
Y or
b
B Connected
C
V 0−500V Load
Power Analyzer
c
N C

Fig. 4(a) Circuit Diagram to measure power consumed by 3−phase Load

using 2−Wattmeter method

&

a b c a b c
Fig. 4(b) 3−Phase Load connection: Star & Delta

Ic= Iy

Lumped Transmission Line Impedance

Ix VL
Ix Ic= Iy
Θ
IL= Ix − jIy
C
R
Vs VL
Iy
IL
L

(a) Schematic Diagram (b) Phasor Diagram

Figure :5 Power Factor Improvement

9
 Autotransformer
W1 5A/500V
A 5A
415V, 3−phase, 50Hz

M L
A
3−Phase
B

C V
Lagging Load

Power Analyzer (Induction m/c)

C

V
0−500V
N

S1 S S
2 3
10

B B
10µ F 10µ F 10µ F 10µ F B
10µ F

10µ F

A C A C A C
10µ F 10µ F 10µ F
Delta connected Delta connected Delta connected
capacitor bank − 1 capacitor bank − 2 capacitor bank − 3

Fig.6 Circuit diagram for Power factor improvement