POLYPHASE CIRCUITS

ENGR. RONNIE A. CADALIN, REE, RME, MATVE

OBJECTIVES:
After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to:
1. Define what is a polyphase system;
2. Explain the generation of a polyphase voltages and currents;
3. Explain and identify what is a phase sequence on a polyphase system;
4. Explain the different interconnections of a polyphase system;
5. Explain what is a balanced polyphase system;
6. Explain what are the different power in a polyphase system;
7. Solve the different parameters in a polyphase system.
 INTRODUCTION

POLYPHASE SYSTEM
- is a combination of two or more than two voltages having same magnitude
and frequency but displaced from each other by an equal electrical angle. As
poly means, many (more than one) and phase means windings or circuits. Each
of them has a single alternating voltage of the same magnitude and frequency.
- Generation, transmission and heavy-power utilization of A.C. electric energy
almost invariably involve a type of system or circuit called a polyphase
system or polyphase circuit. In such a system, each voltage source consists of a
group of voltages having relative magnitudes and phase angles. Thus, a m-
phase system will employ voltage sources which, conventionally, consist of m
voltages substantially equal in magnitude and successively displaced by a
phase angle of 360°/m.
- A 3-phase system will employ voltage sources which, conventionally, consist of
three voltages substantially equal in magnitude and displaced by phase
angles of 120°. Because it possesses definite economic and operating
advantages, the 3-phase system is by far the most common, and consequently
emphasis is placed on 3-phase circuits.
3-Phase Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
ADVANTAGES OF POLYPHASE SYSTEMS
The advantages of polyphase systems over single-phase systems are :
1. A polyphase transmission line requires less conductor material than a single-
phase line for transmitting the same amount power at the same voltage.
2. For a given frame size a polyphase machine gives a higher output than a
single-phase machine. For example, output of a 3-phase motor is 1.5 times
the output of single-phase motor of same size.
3. Polyphase motors have a uniform torque where most of the single-phase
motors have a pulsating torque.
4. Polyphase induction motors are self-starting and are more efficient. On the
other hand single-phase induction motors are not self-starting and are less
efficient.
5. Per unit of output, the polyphase machine is very much cheaper.
6. Power factor of a single-phase motor is lower than that of polyphase motor
of the same rating.
7. Rotating field can be set up by passing polyphase current through stationary
coils.
8. Parallel operation of polyphase alternators is simple as compared to that of
single-phase alternators because of pulsating reaction in single-phase
alternator.
It has been found that the above advantages are best realized in the case of
three-phase systems. Consequently, the electric power is generated and transmitted
in the form of three-phase system.
❑GENERATION OF THREE-PHASE VOLTAGES

Fig. 1 a two-pole, stationary-armature, Fig. 2 Generation of 3 phase voltages

rotating-field type three-phase
alternator.
❑EQUATIONS OF GENERATED EMFs:
ea = Em sinωt ... (Reference phasor, i.e. 0 degree) (i)
eb = Em sin (ωt - 120°) ... (CW direction from 0 degree reference) (ii)
ec = Em sin (ωt - 240°) ... (CW direction from 0 degree reference) (iii) or
ec = Em sin (ωt + 120°) … (CCW direction from 0 degree reference)

Fig. 3 Three-Phase Sinusoidal Wave

❑PHASE SEQUENCE
- by phase sequence is meant the order in which the three phases attain their
peak or maximum.
Types of Phase Sequence:
1. Positive sequence, i.e. abc, 123 or RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) CCW direction

Fig. 4. 3-phase Sinusoidal Waveform Fig. 5 Phasor Diagram

2. Negative sequence, i.e. acb, 132 or RBY (Red-Blue-Yellow) CW direction

Fig. 6. 3-phase Sinusoidal Waveform Fig. 7 Phasor Diagram

❑Interconnection of Three Phases

Fig. 8. Non-interlinked 3-phase system.

The general method of inter-connections are :

1. Star or Y-Y connection (i.e. Y connected source with Y connected load)
2. Y- ∆ or Delta connection (i.e. Y connected source with ∆ connected load)
3. ∆- ∆ connection (i.e. ∆ connected source with ∆ connected load)
4. ∆ -Y connection (i.e. ∆ connected source with Y connected load)
❑BALANCED STAR OR WYE (Y) CONNECTION (ABC sequence)
A balanced system is one in which (i) the voltages in all phases are equal in magnitude and
differ in phase from one another by equal angles, in this case, the angle = 360/3 = 120°,
(ii) the currents in the three phases are equal in magnitude and also differ in phase from
one another by equal angles.

Fig. 9. Schematic Diagram Fig. 10 Phasor Diagram

❖The voltage between any line and the neutral point (i.e., voltage across the phase
winding) is called the ‘phase voltage’ (Vph) ; while the voltage available between any
pair of terminals (or outers) is called the ‘line voltage’ (VL ).
(a) Relation between Line Voltages and Phase Voltages. Refer Fig. 10
Vph = VAN = VBN = VCN ; VL = VAB = VBC = VCA
VL = 𝟑 Vph
(b) Relation between Line Currents and Phase Currents. Refer to Fig. 9
Current in outer (or line) A = IA
Current in outer B = IB
Current in outer C = IC
Since IA = IB = IC = say, I ph = the phase current
∴ Line current, IL = I ph
(c) REAL POWER, (P)
-If the phase current has a phase difference of 𝞱 with phase voltage,
Power per phase = Vph Iph cos 𝞱 watts
Total power (true), P = 3 × power per phase
P = 3 × Vph Iph cos 𝞱 watts
𝑉𝐿
Now, Vph = and I ph = IL
3

Hence, in terms of line values, the above expression becomes

𝑉𝐿 𝑉𝐿 3
P=3× I
3 L
cos 𝞱 = 3 × 3
× I
3 L
cos 𝞱 watts

or P = 3 VL IL cos 𝞱 watts
D. REACTIVE POWER ,(Q)
Reactive Power per phase = Vph Iph sin 𝞱
Total reactive power, Q = 3 × reactive power per phase
Q = 3 × Vph Iph sin 𝞱 vars
𝑉𝐿
Now, Vph = and I ph = IL
3

Hence, in terms of line values, the above expression becomes

𝑉𝐿 𝑉𝐿 3
Q=3× I sin 𝞱 = 3 × × I sin 𝞱 vars
3 L 3 3 L

or Q = 𝟑 VL IL sin 𝞱 vars
E. APPARENT POWER, (S)
Apparent Power per phase = Vph Iph
Total apparent power, S = 3 × apparent power per phase
S = 3 × Vph Iph va
𝑉𝐿
Now, Vph = and I ph = IL
3

Hence, in terms of line values, the above expression becomes

𝑉𝐿 𝑉𝐿 3
S=3× I =3 × × I va
3 L 3 3 L

or S = 𝟑 VL IL va
In a balanced star-connected, ABC sequence network the following points are
worth noting :
(i) Line voltages are 3 times the phase voltages.
(ii) Line currents are equal to phase currents (i.e., IL = Iph)
(iii) Line voltages are 120° apart.
(iv) Line voltages are 30° ahead of the respective phase voltages. Refer to Fig. 11
(v) The angle between line currents and the corresponding line voltages is (30° ± 𝞱)
+ for lagging currents – ve for leading currents.
(vi) True power = 3 VL IL cos 𝞱, where φ is the angle between respective phase
current and phase voltage, not between the line current and line voltage.
(vii) Apparent power = 3 VL IL .
(viii) In balance system, the potential of the neutral or star point is zero.
Potential at neutral (or star) point =VNA + VNB + VNC = 0
In a balanced star-connected, ACB sequence network the following points are
worth noting :
(i) Line voltages are 3 times the phase voltages.
(ii) Line currents are equal to phase currents.
(iii) Line voltages are 120° apart.
(iv) Phase voltages are 30° ahead of the respective line voltages. Refer to Fig. 12
(v) The angle between line currents and the corresponding line voltages is (30° ± 𝞱)
- for lagging currents + ve for leading currents.
(vi) True power = 3 VL IL cos 𝞱, where φ is the angle between respective phase
current and phase voltage, not between the line current and line voltage.
(vii) Apparent power = 3 VL IL .
(viii) In balance system, the potential of the neutral or star point is zero.
Potential at neutral (or star) point =VNA + VNB + VNC = 0
Figure 11. A Phasor diagrams showing the Figure 12. A Phasor diagrams showing the
relationship between line-to-tine and line- relationship between line-to-tine and line-
to-neutral voltages in a balanced system, to-neutral voltages in a balanced system,
(a) The abc sequence (b) The acb sequence
Figure 13. A three-phase Y-Y system
❑WYE-WYE SYSTEM PARAMETERS: Refer to Fig. 13 Positive Sequence
▪ Internal Voltages at the Generator: Va’n, Vb’n and Vc’n
▪ Phase Voltages at the terminals of the Generator: Van, Vbn and Vcn
▪ Line Voltages at the terminals of the Generator: Vab, Vbc and Vca
▪ Internal Impedances of the generator: Zga, Zgb and Zgc
▪ Line impedances connecting the source to the load : Zla, Zlb and Zlc
▪ Load impedances: ZA, ZB and ZC
▪ Phase Voltages at the terminals of the Load: VAN, VBN and VCN
▪ Line Voltages at the terminals of the Load: VAB, VBC and VCA
▪ Line currents is equal to phase currents: IaA, IbB and IcC
▪ Neutral Current: IN = IaA + IbB + IcC = 0
▪ SOLVING FOR PHASE CURRENTS: IaA, IbB and IcC (Refer to Fig. 14)
Note: Construct a single-equivalent circuit (ex. a-phase circuit)

Figure 14. A single-phase equivalent circuit.

Va’n Va’n
IaA = 𝑍 +𝑍𝑙𝑎+ Z = 𝑍Φ
𝑔𝑎 A

Vb’n Vb’n
IbB = = or IbB = IaA ∠-120
𝑍𝑔𝑏 +𝑍𝑙𝑏+ ZB 𝑍Φ

Vc’n Vc’n
IcC = = or IcC = IaA ∠120
𝑍𝑔𝑐 +𝑍𝑙𝑐+ ZC 𝑍Φ
▪ SOLVING FOR PHASE VOLTAGES AT THE TERMINALS OF THE LOAD: VAN, VBN
and VCN
VAN = IaA ZA
VBN = IbB ZB or VBN = VAN ∠ − 120°
VCN = IcC ZC or VCN = VAN ∠120°
▪ SOLVING FOR LINE VOLTAGES AT THE TERMINALS OF THE LOAD: VAB, VBC
and VCA
VAB = 3 ∠30° VAN

VBC = 3 ∠ 30° VBN or VBC = VAB ∠ − 120°

VCA = 3 ∠ 30° VCN or VCA = VAB ∠120°
▪ SOLVING FOR PHASE VOLTAGES AT THE TERMINALS OF THE GENERATOR:
Van, Vbn and Vcn
Van = Va’n - IaA Zga
Vbn = Vb’n - IbB Zgb or Vbn = Va’n ∠ − 120°
Vcn = Vc’n - IcC Zgc or Vbn = Va’n ∠120°
▪ SOLVING FOR LINE VOLTAGES AT THE TERMINALS OF THE GENERATOR:
Vab, Vbc and Vca
Vab = 3 ∠30° Van

Vbc = 3 ∠ 30° Vbn or Vbc = Van ∠ − 120°

Vca = 3 ∠ 30° Vcn or Vca = Van ∠120°
Examples:
1. A balanced star connected load of (8 + j6) Ω/phase is connected to a 3-phase,
230 volts, 50 Hz supply. Find the current, p.f., power, volt ampere and reactive
power. Draw the phasor diagram for the above circuit.
2. Three equal impedances each having a resistance of 25 Ω and inductive reactance
of 40 Ω are connected in star to a 400 V, 3-phase, 50 Hz system. Calculate : (i)
The line current (ii) Power factor, and (iii) Power consumed.
3. Three identical coils are connected in star to a 400 V (line voltage), 3-phase A.C.
supply and each coil takes 300 W. If the power factor is 0.8 (lagging). Calculate :
(i) The line current, (ii) Impedance, and (iii) Resistance and inductance of each coil.
4. A balanced 3-phase star connected load of 100 kW takes a leading current of 80
A, when connected across a 3-phase, 1100 V, 50 Hz supply. Find the circuit
constants of the load per phase.
5. A balanced three-phase Y-connected generator with positive sequence has an
impedance of 0.2 + j0.5 Ω/φ and an internal voltage of 120 V/φ. The generator feeds a
balanced three-phase Y-connected load having an impedance of 39 + j28 Ω/φ. The
impedance of the line connecting the generator to the load is 0.8 + j1.5 Ω/φ . The a-
phase internal voltage of the generator is specified as the reference phasor.
a) Construct the a-phase equivalent circuit of the system.
b) Calculate the three line currents IaA, IbB, and IcC.
c) Calculate the three phase voltages at the load. VAN, VBN and VCN.
d) Calculate the line voltages VAB, VBC and VCA at the terminals of the load
e) Calculate the phase voltages at the terminals of the generator, Van, Vbn, and Vcn.
f) Calculate the line voltages Vab, Vbc, and Vca at the terminals of the generator.
6. The magnitude of the phase voltage of an ideal balanced three-
phase Y-connected source is 125 V. The source is connected to a
balanced Y-connected load by a distribution line that has an impedance
of 0.1 + j0.8 Ω/φ. The load impedance is 19.9 + j14.2 Ω/φ. The phase
sequence of the source is acb. Use the a-phase voltage of the source
as the reference. Specify the magnitude and phase angle of the
following quantities:
(a) the three line currents,
(b) the three line voltages at the source,
(c) the three phase voltages at the load, and
(d) the three line voltages at the load.
ASSIGNMENT # 1:
1. The phase voltage at the terminals of a balanced three-phase Y-
connected load is 2400 V. The load has an impedance of (16 + j12)
Ω/ϕ and is fed from a line having an impedance of (0.10 + j0.80) Ω/ϕ.
The Y-connected source at the sending end of the line has a phase
sequence of acb and an internal impedance of (0.02 + j0.16) Ω/ϕ.
Use the a-phase voltage at the load as the reference and calculate
(a) the line currents IaA, IbB, and IcC; (b) the line voltages at the
source, Vab, Vbc, and Vca; and (c) the internal phase-to-neutral
voltages at the source, Va’n, Vb’n, and Vc’n. Ans. (a) IaA = 120 ∠ −
36.87°𝐴 , IbB = 120 ∠ − 83.13°𝐴 , IcC = 120 ∠ − 156.87° 𝐴; (b) Vab =
4275.02 ∠ − 28.38° 𝑉, Vbc = 4275.02 ∠91.62° 𝑉, Vca = 4275.02 ∠ −
148.38° 𝑉 ; (c) Va’n = 2482.05 ∠1.93° 𝑉, Vb’n = 2482.05 121.93° 𝑉, Vc’n
= 2482.05 ∠ − 118.07° 𝑉
2. A Y-connected balanced three-phase generator with an impedance
of 0.4 + j0.3 Ω per phase is connected to a Y-connected balanced
load with an impedance of 24 + j19 Ω per phase. The line joining the
generator and the load has an impedance of 0.6 + 0.7 Ω per phase.
Assuming a positive sequence for the source voltages and that find:
(a) the line voltages, (b) the line currents. Ans. (a) 207.8∠60° V,
207.8 ∠ − 60° V, 207.8 ∠180° V; (b) 3.75 ∠ − 8.66° 𝐴 , 3.75 ∠ −
128.66° 𝐴, 3.75 ∠111.34° 𝐴