THREE – PHASE SYSTEMS

EE232 Electrical Circuits 2, lec

prepared by: MATapayan

Review on AC systems
• Single phase

Two – wire type 3 – wire type

maT 2
Review on AC systems
• Polyphase Systems - AC sources operate at the same frequency
but different phases

a. Two-phase three-wire system. Voltage of one

lags the other by 900. b. Three-phase four-wire system. Voltages have the
same amplitude and frequency but out of phase by
1200.
maT 3
Three – phase systems
• Most prevalent and most economical polyphase system used
• Nearly all electric power is generated and distributed in three-
phase operating at 60 Hz in the Philippines and 50 Hz in some
other parts of the world
• Instantaneous power can be constant so there is uniform power
transmission and less vibration of three phase machines
• The amount of wire required is less than that required for an
equivalent single – phase systems.

maT 4
Three – phase systems

• Requirements:
➢Phase voltage magnitude must be equal
➢Phasor voltage must be 120 electrical
degrees apart (positive or negative phase
sequence)

• Three – phase sources can be wye –

connected or delta – connected.

maT 5
Wye – connected source

maT 6
Wye – connected source
• For positive sequence and taking 𝑉𝑎𝑛 as reference:
𝑉𝑎𝑛 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠𝜃
𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 𝜃 − 120°
𝑉𝑐𝑛 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 𝜃 + 120°
𝑉𝑝 = 𝑉𝑎𝑛 = 𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑐𝑛
• Relationship between line voltage and phase voltage:
𝑉𝐿 = 3𝑉𝑝
*the line voltage is leading the phase voltage by an angle of 30°.
𝑉𝐿 = 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 𝑉𝑏𝑐 = 𝑉𝑐𝑎
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 𝑉𝐿 ∠(𝜃 + 30°)
𝑉𝑏𝑐 = 𝑉𝐿 ∠[ 𝜃 − 120° + 30°]
𝑉𝑐𝑎 = 𝑉𝐿 ∠ 𝜃 + 120° + 30°
maT 7
Examples
Determine the phase sequence of the set of voltages
𝑣𝑎𝑛 = 200 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 100 )
𝑣𝑏𝑛 = 200 sin(𝜔𝑡 − 2300 )
𝑣𝑐𝑛 = 200 sin(𝜔𝑡 − 1100 )

maT 8
Examples
Consider a wye – connected generator supplying power to the ff.
loads:
Load 1: series R-L (10Ω, j10Ω) connected across terminals 2 & N.
Load 2: a coil drawing 1000 watts at 0.866 pf connected across
terminals 2 & 3.
If the voltage between line and neutral is 120 V and V1N is taken as
the reference, calculate the current flowing in line 2.

maT 9
Delta – connected source

maT 10
Delta – connected source
• For positive sequence and taking 𝑉𝑎𝑛 as reference:
𝑉𝑎𝑛 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠𝜃
𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 𝜃 − 120°
𝑉𝑐𝑛 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 𝜃 + 120°
𝑉𝑝 = 𝑉𝑎𝑛 = 𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑐𝑛
• Relationship between line voltage and phase voltage:
𝑉𝐿 = 𝑉𝑝
Therefore:
𝑉𝑝 = 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 𝑉𝑏𝑐 = 𝑉𝑐𝑎

maT 11
Balanced wye – connected load
• Balanced load - a three – phase load with equal impedance per
phase

maT 12
Examples
Calculate the line currents, phase currents, and line voltage.

maT 13
Examples
Refer to the circuit on the board.

a. Draw the phasor of the current per phase drawn by the load.
b. Calculate the line current.
c. Calculate the voltage at the load terminal.
d. Calculate the voltage drop due to line resistance.

maT 14
Balanced delta – connected load

maT 15
Examples
A balanced abc – sequence Y – connected source with 𝑉𝑎𝑛 =
100∠10° V is connected to a Δ – connected balanced load 8 + 𝑗4 Ω
per phase. Calculate the phase and line currents.

maT 16
Examples
A balanced Δ – connected load having an impedance 20 − 𝑗15 Ω is
connected to a Δ – connected, positive – sequence generator
having 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 330∠0° 𝑉. Calculate the phase and line currents of
the load.

maT 17
Examples
Refer to the circuit on the board.

a. Calculate and plot the phasor of the phase current.

b. Calculate and plot the phasor of the line current.
c. Calculate and plot the voltage at the load terminal.
d. If line 3 is suddenly cut – off, calculate the resulting line current.

maT 18
Complex Power in a Balanced Three – Phase
System
• For balanced wye – connected load:
- per phase:
𝑆 = 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝
𝑃 = 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝 cos 𝜃
𝑄 = 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝 sin 𝜃
- total complex power:
𝑆 = 3 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝
𝑃 = 3 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝 cos 𝜃
𝑄 = 3 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝 sin 𝜃

maT 19
Complex Power in a Balanced Three – Phase
System
• For balanced wye – connected load
using 𝑉𝐿 and 𝐼𝐿 :
- total complex power:
𝑉𝐿
𝑆=3 𝐼𝐿 = 3𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿
3
𝑉𝐿
𝑃=3 𝐼𝐿 cos 𝜃 = 3𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 cos 𝜃
3
𝑉𝐿
𝑄=3 𝐼𝐿 sin 𝜃 = 3𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 sin 𝜃
3

maT 20
Complex Power in a Balanced Three – Phase
System
• For balanced delta – connected load:
- per phase:
𝑆 = 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝
𝑃 = 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝 cos 𝜃
𝑄 = 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝 sin 𝜃
- total complex power:
𝑆 = 3 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝
𝑃 = 3 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝 cos 𝜃
𝑄 = 3 𝑉𝑝 𝐼𝑝 sin 𝜃

maT 21
Complex Power in a Balanced Three – Phase
System
• For balanced delta – connected load
using 𝑉𝐿 and 𝐼𝐿 :
- total complex power:
𝐼𝐿
𝑆 = 3 𝑉𝐿 = 3𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿
3
𝐼𝐿
𝑃 = 3 𝑉𝐿 cos 𝜃 = 3𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 cos 𝜃
3
𝐼𝐿
𝑄 = 3 𝑉𝐿 sin 𝜃 = 3𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 sin 𝜃
3

maT 22
Examples
Three balanced loads are connected in parallel
Load 1: (wye – connected) 2500 VA at 0.707 lag pf
Load 2: (delta – connected) 2000 W and 1000 VAR capacitive
Load 3: (wye – connected) 1500 VAR inductive at 0.866 pf
If the source voltage is 230 V, calculate:
a. Impedance per phase of the loads
b. Current per phase of the loads
c. Total P, Q, and S
d. Total current
e. Total pf

maT 23
Examples
Each phase of a star-connected load consists of a non-reactive
resistance of 100 Ω in parallel with a capacitance of 31.8 μF.
Calculate the line current, the power absorbed, the total kVA and
the power factor when connected to a 416-V, 3-phase, 50-Hz
supply.

maT 24
Examples
A three phase 400-V, 50 Hz, a.c. supply is feeding a three-phase
delta-connected load with each phase having a resistance of 25
ohms, an inductance of 0.15 H, and a capacitor of 120 microfarads
in series. Determine the line current, volt-amp, active power and
reactive volt-amp.

maT 25
Power factor correction
• Power factor correction is the term given to a technology that has
been used since the turn of the 20th century to restore the power
factor to as close to unity as is economically viable.

maT 26
Power factor correction
• Why improve power factor:
✓Reduction of power consumption due to improved energy
efficiency
✓Reduction of electricity bills
✓Extra kVA available from the existing supply
✓Reduction of 𝐼2 𝑅 losses in transformers and distribution
equipment
✓Reduction of voltage drop in long cables
✓Reduced electrical burden on cables and electrical
components
maT 27
Power factor correction
• In a three-phase system, the capacitor bank is connected in parallel
with the load in a star or delta scheme for power factor correction. The
banks automatically switch on and off to maintain a desired power
factor.
• Over – excited synchronous motors running at no load are used for
power factor correction. When connected in parallel with the loads, a
synchronous condenser generates the needed reactive power for the
system. The sizing of a synchronous condenser is proportional to the
amount of reactive power that might be consumed by the electrical
system.
• Capacitor banks are used in factories and low-capacity substations.
Synchronous condensers are most feasible with high powers above
200 MVA stations and HVDC converter stations.

maT 28
Examples
A 3𝜙, wye-connected load draws 70A at 0.6 pf from a 440 V, 3𝜙
source. It is desired to correct the pf to 0.9 lagging by connecting a
capacitor bank as shown. Calculate the capacitance C.

maT 29
Seatwork
A balanced 3-phase Δ-connected load consists of 6-Ω resistance in
series with a 12-Ω capacitive reactance in each phase. It is connected in
parallel with a 3-phase motor which takes 25 kVA at 0.9 leading power
factor from a source of 230 volts. What is the line current and the pf of
the combination when connected across the 230 V supply?

maT 30
Seatwork
A balanced 3-phase load draws 150 A phase current at 7.5 kV
phase to neutral, 0.891 power factor lagging. It is desired to raise
the power factor to 0.96 leading. Solve for the amount of capacitor
kVAR needed to achieve such pf.

maT 31
Unbalanced Load 4 – Wire System

maT 32
Unbalanced Load 4 – Wire System
• For positive sequence and taking 𝑉𝑎𝑛 as reference:
𝑉𝑎𝑛 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠𝜃
𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 𝜃 − 120°
𝑉𝑐𝑛 = 𝑉𝑝 ∠ 𝜃 + 120°
𝑉𝑝 = 𝑉𝑎𝑛 = 𝑉𝑏𝑛 = 𝑉𝑐𝑛
• Relationship between line voltage and phase voltage:
𝑉𝐿 = 3𝑉𝑝
• The load impedance per phase is unequal
𝑍𝐴 ≠ 𝑍𝐵 ≠ 𝑍𝐶
Therefore, the line and phase currents are unequal with each other
(phase current = phase voltage/ impedance per phase)

maT 33
Examples
An unbalanced star-connected load has branch impedances of
𝑍1 = 10∠30° Ω , 𝑍2 = 10∠– 45° Ω , 𝑍3 = 20∠60° Ω and is
connected across a balanced 3-phase, 3-wire supply of 200 V. Find
the line currents and the voltage across each impedance.

maT 34
Unbalanced Load 3 – Wire
System

• To analyze an unbalanced wye 3-wire

system, change the load first to delta
OR use KVL/KCL

maT 35
Unbalanced Load 3 – Wire System

maT 36
Examples
An unbalanced star-connected load has branch impedances of
𝑍1 = 10∠30° Ω , 𝑍2 = 10∠– 45° Ω , 𝑍3 = 20∠60° Ω and is
connected across a balanced 3-phase, 3-wire supply of 200 V. Find
the line currents and the voltage across each impedance.

maT 37
Two Wattmeter Method

maT 38
Two Wattmeter Method – Balanced Load
𝑊1 = 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 cos 30° − 𝜃
𝑊2 = 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 cos 30° + 𝜃

𝑊𝑇 = 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2

𝑊1 − 𝑊2
tan 𝜃 = 3
𝑊1 + 𝑊2

𝑝𝑓 = cos 𝜃

maT 39
Two Wattmeter Method – Unbalanced Load

maT 40
Two Wattmeter Method – Balanced Load
𝑊1 = 𝑉𝐴𝐶 𝐼𝐴 cos 𝜃𝑉𝐴𝐶 − 𝜃𝐼𝐴
𝑊2 = 𝑉𝐵𝐶 𝐼𝐵 cos 𝜃𝑉𝐵𝐶 − 𝜃𝐼𝐵

𝑊𝑇 = 𝑃𝑇 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2

maT 41
Examples
Given a balanced 3 wire, three phase system serving the following
loads:
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 220∠00 𝑉 𝑍𝑎𝑏 = 11∠00 Ω
𝑉𝑏𝑐 = 220∠2400 𝑉 𝑍𝑏𝑐 = 11∠450 Ω
𝑉𝑐𝑎 = 220∠1200 𝑉 𝑍𝑐𝑎 = 11∠300 Ω
Determine the readings of the two wattmeter with line b as
common.

maT 42
The Per-Unit System of Measurements
In the per-unit system, the voltages, currents, powers, impedances,
and other electrical quantities are not measured in their usual SI
units (volts, amperes, watts, ohms, etc.). Instead, each electrical
quantity is measured as a decimal fraction of some base level. Any
quantity can be expressed on a per-unit basis by the equation

𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 =
𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑄𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦

where "actual value" is a value in volts, amperes, ohms, etc.

maT 43
The Per-Unit System of Measurements
It is customary to select two base quantities to define a given per-unit system.
The ones usually selected are voltage and power (or apparent power). In a
single-phase system, these relationships are
𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝑉𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐼𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝑉𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝑍𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 =
𝐼𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝐼𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝑌𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 =
𝑉𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
And
𝑉𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 2
𝑍𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 =
𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
Once the base values of 𝑆 and 𝑉 have been selected, all other base values can
be computed easily from equations above
maT 44
Symmetrical Components
• Any unbalanced 3-phase system of vectors (whether representing
voltages or currents) can be resolved into three balanced systems
of vectors which are called its ‘symmetrical components’.
• According to Dr. C. L. Fortescue of Westinghouse Electric Corp.,
an unbalanced set of n phasors may be resolved into n-1 balanced
n-phase systems of different phase sequence and one zero-phase
sequence system. These balanced phase sequences are called
the symmetrical components of the original phasors.

maT 45
Positive Sequence Components
Vc1
• Consists of three phasors equal in
magnitude, displaced 120 electrical
degrees from each other, and with 120˚

the same phase sequence as the 120˚ Va1

original one. Each phase has a 120˚
subscript of 1.
Vb1

maT 46
Negative Sequence Components
Vb2
• Consists of three phasors equal in
magnitude, displaced by 120 120˚
electrical degrees from each other,
and having opposite phase 120˚ Va2
sequence as the original, each 120˚
phase has a subscript of 2.
Vc2

maT 47
Zero Sequence Components

Va0
• Consists of three phasors equal in
magnitude and with zero Vb0
displacement with each other, each
Vc0
phase has a subscript of 0.

maT 48
Sequence Components -> Phasors
𝑉𝐴 = 𝑉𝑎0 + 𝑉𝑎1 + 𝑉𝑎2

𝑉𝐵 = 𝑉𝑏0 + 𝑉𝑏1 + 𝑉𝑏2

𝑉𝐵 = 𝑉𝑎0 + 𝑎2 𝑉𝑎1 + 𝑎𝑉𝑎2

𝑉𝐶 = 𝑉𝑐0 + 𝑉𝑐1 + 𝑉𝑐2

𝑉𝐶 = 𝑉𝑎0 + 𝑎𝑉𝑎1 + 𝑎2 𝑉𝑎2

maT 49
Positive Sequence Components
1
Va1 = Va + aVb + a2 Vc
3
a = 1∠120˚
Vb1 = a2 Va1
Vc1 = aVa1

maT 50
Negative Sequence Components
1
Va2 = Va + a2 Vb + aVc
3
a = 1∠120˚
Vb2 = aVa2
Vc2 = a2 Va2

maT 51
Zero Sequence Components
1
Va0 = Va + Vb + Vc
3

maT 52
Examples
Given the 3 line currents on a feeder: Ia = 8.66 – j5; Ib = –12.287 –
j8.6; Ic = 2.087 + j14.854. Solve the sequence component of the
current.

maT 53
Examples
A 3–phase, 4–wire system supplies loads which are unequally
distributed in the three phase lines. An analysis of the circuit shows
that the positive and the negative sequence components of the
current in line A are as follows: Ia1 = 48.02 cis (–87.6°) A; Ia2 =
163.21 cis 40.45 ° A; In = 156.6 cis 112.7° A. Determine the line
currents drawn by the load.

maT 54
Examples
An unbalanced wye connected load whose impedance per phase
are given as Z1n = 6 + j8Ω, Z2n = 10Ω and Z3n = 5 + j10Ω is
connected to a three-phase three wire source with line to line
voltage of 220V. If line 3 is suddenly cut-off, calculate the positive,
negative and zero sequence of line 1.

maT 55
References
621.3192 Sv51 2018 [1] R. C. Dorf and J. A. Svoboda, Dorf’s
introduction to electric circuits, Global edition. Hoboken, New
Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2018.
621.3192 N142 2018 [2] M. Nahvi and J. Edminister, Schaum’s
outlines electric circuits, Seventh edition. in Schaum’s outline
series. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.
621.3192 B5324 2017 [3] J. Bird, Electrical Circuit Theory and
Technology, 6th ed. New York: Routledge, 2017.
621.31913 F622 2016 [4] J. E. Fleckenstein, Three-Phase
Electrical Power, 1st ed. CRC Press, 2016.
maT 56