Chapter 5

Three-phase Systems

Chapter 5 1
 Contents
• Generation of three-phase voltage
• Star and Delta connections of 3-phase system
and their phasor representation
• Line/Phase voltages and phase angle in a
balanced three-phase system
• Star /Delta-connected balanced/unbalanced
loads calculation
• 3-phase power measurement

Chapter 5 2
 Three-phase Systems

• Generation of three-
phase Supply
– Three-phase generators
have three identical set
of coil windings and thus
produce three single
phase voltages at the
same time.
– The three coils are
placed equally in space
inside a magnetic field.
Chapter 5 3
Three induced voltages are displaced from one another
in phase by 120° and the sequence is ABC or L1 L2 L3
d  L1 d ( BA cos  )
eL1   N  N  NBA sin( t )
dt dt
 EM sin( t ) where EM  NBA and    t
eL1 eL2 eL3
+V

t
120° 240°

-V

Chapter 5 4
Similarly,
d  L2 d [ BA cos(  120)]
eL 2   N  N  NBA sin( t  120)
dt dt
 EM sin( t  120)

d  L3 d [ BA cos(  240)]
eL 3   N  N  NBA sin( t  240)
dt dt
 EM sin( t  120)

Chapter 5 5
 Positive Sequence Voltages
 Three induced voltages are
displaced from one another
in phase by 120° and the EL3 Phasors rotation in
sequence is named as L1- Anti-clockwise
direction
L2-L3.
120
 In phasor form, 120 EL1
EL1 = E ° 120
EL2 = E  120°
EL3 = E +120° EL2

Chapter 5 6
Negative Sequence Voltages
 If any two of the three coils
are interchanged, OR
 The direction of rotation of Phasors rotation in
clockwise direction
the generator is reversed. EL2
 The phase sequence is
then L1-L3-L2. 120
 In phasor form, 120 EL1
EL1 = E °
120
EL2 = E + 120°
EL3 = E  120° EL3

Chapter 5 7
 Nature of 3-phase System
 3-phase system is that 3 alternating voltages are generated, transmitted
and distributed simultaneously.
 They are distinguished by number system (1, 2 and 3) or alphabetic
system (A, B and C) or color system (New: Brown, Black and Grey)
(Old: R, Y and B) that is phased-out.
 They are at the same frequency.

Reasons for Using 3- System

 Most economic - Required lesser volume of conductor for
transmitting bulk energy.
 3- machine have a more even torque, higher efficiency, higher
power factor and self-starting.
 The ripple content is smaller during rectification to obtain direct
current.

Chapter 5 8
Star and Delta connections of 3-phase
system and their phasor representation
IL1
L1
1. Star System L11
eL1
L12
The same coil ends IL2
are joined together L2
L21
(star point or the eL2
neutral point, N) L22
IL3
L3
L31
eL3
L32 N

Chapter 5 9
 (a) 3-phase 3-wire star system (no neutral
wire)

IL1

Supply
eL1 ZL1
side Load
side
eL3 N n
ZL2 ZL3
eL2 IL2
L31 L21
IL3

A star system with no neutral wire

Chapter 5 10
(b) 3-phase 4-wire star system (with neutral wire)

IL1
eL1 ZL1

eL3 N n
ZL2 ZL3
eL2 IL2
L31 L21
IL3

A star system with neutral wire

Chapter 5 11
(c) Line and Phase Voltages in Star-connected Supply System

IL1
eL1 ZL1

eL3 N n
ZL2 ZL3
eL2 IL2
L31 L21
IL3

VL = line voltage (p.d. between any two line conductors)

VP = phase voltage (p.d. between a line conductor and the neutral
point )
IL = line current (current in the lines)
IP = phase current (current in phase supply source)
Chapter 5 12
• From the above circuit
VL1-L2 = VL1-N – VL2-N
VL2-L3 = VL2-N – VL3-N
VL3-L1 = VL3-N – VL1-N

• For balanced system

VL1-N= VL2-N= VL3-N= VP

VL1-L2= VL2-L3= VL3-L1= VL

VL = VL1-L2 = VL1-N – VL2-N = VP(10° - 1-120°)

= 3 VP 30°

Chapter 5 13
Proof
By taking VL1-N as reference VL1-N = VP0° ; then VL2-N = VP-120° ;
VL3-N = VP120° VL2-N VL1-L2
VL3-N 

VL1-L2 = VL1-N + VN-L2

= VL1-N – VL2-N
= 2 VP cos30° 30
= 3 VP 120 VL1-N
VL1-L2 lead VL1-N by 30°
VL1-L2 greater than VL1-N by 3
VL2-N
VL1-L2 = 3 VL1-N30° ;
VL2-L3 = 3 VL1-N – 90°
VL3-L1 = 3 VL1-N150° VL2-L3
Chapter 5 14
Summary for a Balance Star Supply System

• VL = 3 VP in magnitude only
• VL lead VP by 30° (positive sequence)
• i.e. in polar form: VL = 3 VP ∠30°

• IL = IP in magnitude and direction

• Note : As a common practice and unless otherwise

specified, when we talk about voltage in 3-phase

circuit, it refers to the line voltage VL.

Chapter 5 15
2.Balanced Delta System
Coils are connected in a “head to tail” manner.

L11 L1 L1
eL1
L12
L21 L2 eL1
eL3
eL2 L2
L22 eL2
L31 L3
eL3
L32 L3

Chapter 5 16
• The net e.m.f. around the delta is:
eL1 + eL2 + eL3
= Emsin(t) + Emsin(t-120°) + Emsin(t+120°)
= 0

• Hence the resultant e.m.f. around the delta is zero at

any instant and thus no current is circulating within
the loop.

Chapter 5 17
From the Delta-connected circuit,
IL1 = I1  I3 , IL2 = I2  I1 , IL3 = I3  I2

• Assume positive sequence and balanced load

• i.e. I1, I2, I3 equal in magnitude and differ in phase by 120°

• By taking I1 as reference I3
• IL1 = I1 I3
= 2 IP cos30° I1
= 3 I1 30

• IL1 lag I1 by 30°

IL1
I2 -I3
Chapter 5 18
Summary for a Balance Delta Supply System

• I1= I2= I3 = IP

• IL1= IL2= IL3= IL

• IL = 3 IP in magnitude
• IL lag IP by 30° in positive sequence
• i.e. IL1 = 3 I1 ∠ 30°

• VL = VP in both magnitude and direction

Chapter 5 19
Reasons for star-connection
• A star point is accessible and may be utilized for giving
single phase supply.
• Insulation in star-connected transformer can be graded,
hence least material required for construction.

Reasons for delta-connection

 Third harmonic voltages are eliminated by circulation of third

harmonic current in the delta loop.
 Higher voltage impressed across individual load.

Chapter 5 20
Example 1
A 3-phase 4-wire 381V 50Hz, negative sequence system is supplying
a balanced star-connected load with impedance of 3030 . Find
the line current , neutral current and draw the phasor diagram.

L1

2200 V 3030
38130 V
N

L3

L2
Chapter 5 21
 Phasor diagram (Negative sequence)
VL2-L3
Solution

VL2-N
Take VL1-N as reference. IL2 IL1
30 30
VL 381
VP    220 V 30
3 3 VL1-N
30
V 2200
I L1  L1 N  30
30
Z L1 30  30 VL1-L2
 7.330 A VL3-L1 VL3-N

IL3

I N  I L1  I L 2  I L 3  7.330  7.3150  7.3  90

0 A

Chapter 5 22
Example 2.
A balanced delta-connected load is connected to a 380∠0°V,
50Hz supply with load impedance per phase Z = 50  j60 Ω. Find
(a) phase currents I1and I2; and
(b) line current IL1.
I L1
380 I1
(a) I1   4.8750.2 A
50  j 60 Z2
Z1

V12

380  120 I2

I2   4.87  69.8 A Z3 I3
50  j 60 2

(b) = -= 4.87∠-69.8° 4.87∠50.2° =8.43 ∠80.18° A

Chapter 5 23
Power Consumption in 3-phase System
1.Balanced star-connected load IL
(a) Active power/phase, L1
PL1-N
PP  VP I P cos 
Z
PT
 I P2 RZ or PL3-N
Z N
2
V Z
 L2
RZ PL2-N
L3
For balanced star connected load,
PP = PL1-N = PL2-N = PL3-N = VP IL cos
 P3Φ = 3PP = 3 VP IP cos = 3 (3 VP) IL cos
2
2 3VP
P3  3V LI L cos   3I L RZ 
RZ
Chapter 5 24
 IL
(b) Reactive power/phase, L1
QP  VP I P sin  QL1-N
2 Z
 I XZ
P or QT QL3-N
2 Z N
V
 L2 Z
XZ QL2-N
L3
For balanced star connected load,
QP = QL1-N = QL2-N = QL3-N = VP IL sin
 Q3Φ = 3QP = 3 VP IP sin = 3 (3 VP) IL sin
2
2 3VP
Q3  3V LI L sin   3I L X Z 
XZ
Chapter 5 25
(C) Apparent power/phase, IL
L1
SL1-N
S P  VP I P
Z
2 ST
I ZP or SL3-N
Z N
2
V Z
 L2
Z SL2-N
L3
For balanced star connected
load,
SP = SL1-N = SL2-N = SL3-N = VP IL
 S3Φ = 3SP = 3 VP IP = 3 (3 VP) IL
2
2 3VP
S3  3 VL I L  3I L Z 
Z

Chapter 5 26
2.Balanced Delta-connected load
IL1
L1
(a) Active power/phase, IP PL3-L1
PP  VP I P cos 
Z
PT Z
 I P2 RZ or PL1-L2
2 IL2
V L2 Z
 PL2-L3
RZ L3 IL3

For balanced star connected load,

PP = PL1-L2 = PL2-L3 = PL3-L1 = VL Ip cos
 P3Φ = 3PP = 3 VP IP cos = 3 (VL) 3 IP cos
2
2 3VP
P3  3V LI L cos   3I L RZ 
RZ
Chapter 5 27
 (b) Reactive power
2
2 3V
Q3  3V LI L sin   3I P XZ  L
XZ

(c) Apparent power

2
2 3VL
S3  3V LI L  3I P Z 
Z

3.Power Factor at balanced Star/Delta-

connected load
PP P3
Power Factor ( pf )  cos   
S P S3

Chapter 5 28
Example 3
A balanced delta-connected load is connected to a 380∠0°V,
50Hz supply with load impedance per phase Z = 50 - j60 Ω. Find
(a) phase currents I1and I2;
(b) line current IL1;
(c) active, reactive, apparent power and power factor per phase;
(d) total active, reactive, apparent power and power factor;

Chapter 5 29
 Blank

Chapter 1 30
Example 4
If the balanced delta-connected load on Example 3 is reconnected to
star-connected, find:
(a) phase currents IP;
(b) line currents IL;
(c) active, reactive and apparent power, and power factor per phase;
(d) total active, reactive and apparent power, and power factor;

Chapter 5 31
 Blank

Chapter 1 32
Unbalanced Three Phase Calculation
► In a power system, it is usually balanced up to the
consumer level.
► At the consumer side, because there are so
many different consumers: some are three phase,
some are single phase, some consume larger
power, some require less power, all this causes
unbalance.
► The power system may also become unbalance
when there is fault in it.

Chapter 5 33
• Recall : In a balance system,
- star connection I L = IP ------- (1)
VL = 3 VP ------- (2)
- delta connection VL = VP ------- (3)
IL = 3 IP ------- (4)

• For an unbalance system,

Only equations (1) and (3) are still hold,
whereas (2) and (4) are no longer true.

Chapter 5 34
 Unbalance delta-connected and 4-wire star-
connected system
• In general, the three line potential VL1, VL2 and VL3 are
constant and fixed so long as the supply system is
healthy.
• The three line voltages are therefore constant:
VL1-L2 = VL1  VL2
VL2-L3 = VL2  VL3
VL3-L1 = VL3  VL1
• This is always true no matter whether it is a delta or a star
load.

Chapter 5 35
• If this is a 4-wire star, the phase voltages are also
fixed. V
V  L
P V L1
3

VL3-L1 VL1-L2
VL1-N = VL1  VN ; VL1-N
VL2-N = VL3  VN ; VL3-N
VL2-N
N
VL3-N = VL3  VN
 The potentials and the VL3 VL2-L3
VL2
voltages thus form an
equilateral triangle. The voltage triangle

Chapter 5 36
Example 5
Three impedances, Z1 = (10 + j10), Z2 = (8.66 + j5) ,
Z3 = (12 + j16)  are delta-connected to a balance 380 V,
3-phase system. Take VL1-L2 as the reference and
assuming that the system is in positive sequence. Find
(a)The phase currents; and
IL1 I1
(b)The line currents.
Z1
Z3

I3
IL2 Z2 I2

IL3

Chapter 5 37
Solution
The phase currents:
VL1 L 2 3800
I 1    26.87  45 A
Z 10  j10
V 380  120
 I 2  L 2 L 3   38.0  150 A
Z 8.66  j 5
V 380120
I 3  L 3 L1   1966.87 A
Z 12  j16

The line currents:

I L1  I1  I 3  26.87  45  1966.87  38.254  72.45 A
 I L 2  I 3  I 2  1966.87  38.0  150  54.40842.09 A
I L 3  I 2  I1  38.0  150  26.87  45  51.909  180 A

Chapter 5 38
Example 6
A 3-phase, 4-wire, 380 V, L1L2L3 system supplies a star load
as shown in Figure below. Take VL1-L2 as the reference and
assuming that the system is in positive sequence. Find
(a) the line currents; and
(b) the neutral current. IL1
L1

100 
IN
N 1030 
IL2
L2 1530 
IL3
L3
Chapter 5 39
Solution
Since take VL1-L2 as reference, ie VL1-L2 =380∠0° V,
hence VL1-N=219.39 ∠-30° V, the line currents
VL1 N 219.393  30
 I L1    21.939  30 A
Z1 100
VL 2 N 219.393  150
 I L2    14.626  120 A
Z2 15  30
VL 3 N 219.39390
I L3    21.393120 A
Z3 10  30

The neutral current

I N  I L1  I L 2  I L 3
 21.939  30  14.626  120  21.939120 A
 4.691  81.21 A

Chapter 1 40
Example 7
In a 3-phase 4-wire system, the line voltage is 380 V
and non-inductive loads of 10 kW, 8kW and 5 kW are
connected between the three line conducts and
neutral. Calculate:
(a) the currents in each line;
(b) the current in neutral conductor.

L1
L2
L3
10 8 5
kW kW kW

N
Chapter 5 41
Solution
VP = 381/3 = 220 V
Take VL1-N as reference

i.e. VL1-N = 2200 V, VL2-N = 220120 V and VL3-N = 220120 V

(a) P = V I cos
IL1 = PL1/(VRN cos) = (10 x 103)/220 = 45.5 A
or = 45.50 A
IL2 = PL2/(VYN cos) = (8 x 103)/220 = 36.4 A
or = 36.4120 A
IL3 = PL3/(VBN cos) = (5 x 103)/220 = 22.7 A
or = 22.7120 A

(b) IN = IR + IY + IB
= 45.50 + 36.4120 + 22.7120
= 19.879 -36.64 A Chapter 5 42
Unbalance 3-wire Star System

• When the neutral is not connected:

VP  VL / 3
It may over-voltage / under-voltage in one or two
phases.
• The neutral shifts from the centroid (N) of the
voltage triangle to other position (neutral shift).
• The neutral is now marked as ‘O’.
VON - displacement neutral voltage.

Chapter 5 43
 VL1
VL1-O
O

VON VL1-L2

VL3-O VL2-O
VL3-L1
N

VL2
VL3 VL2-L3

The voltage triangle with absence of neutral line

Chapter 5 44
Example 8 (Maxwell Loop Current Method)
A 3-phase, 3-wire, 208 V, IA
A
CBA system has a star-
connected load with ZA =
60 
60 , ZC = 630  and 208-240 I1
ZB = 545  as shown. N
Obtain the line currents and O
the phasor voltage across 630 
IC
each impedance. Construct C I2
the voltage triangle and 2080 IB
determine the displacement B
neutral voltage, VON. Take 545 
VCB as reference.

Chapter 5 45
Solution

By using Maxwell Loop Current theorem, the

corresponding matrix equation of I1 and I2 can be written
as follow

60 + 630 630 I1 = 208-240

630 630 + 545 I2 2080

Note: I1=IA, I2=-IB and I2I1=IC

At loop I1, VAC=ZA I1ZC(I2I1)= (ZA+ZC)I1ZCI2

I2, VCB=ZB(I2 I1)+ZCI2= ZCI1+(ZB+ZC)I2

Chapter 5 46
On solving, gives I1 = 20.074.9 A ,
I2 = 19.43.6 A .

The line currents IA, IB and IC are,

IA = I1 = 20.074.9 A #

IC = I2  I1 = 19.43.6  20.074.9 A

= 24.955.4 A #

IB = I2 = - 19.43.6 A = 19.4176.4 A #

Chapter 5 47
 The voltage across the three impedances are given
by the products of the line currents and the
corresponding impedances.

VAO = IAZA = (20.074.9) (60)

= 12074.9 V #
VBO = IBZB = (19.4176.4) (545)
= 97-138.6 V #
VCO = ICZC = (24.955.4) (630)
= 149.4-25.4 V #

Chapter 5 48
VON = VOA + VAN

= 12074.9 + 12090 = 31.53172.5 V #

VAN
A
Positive
Sequence

VON O VON N

25.4
B C
VCN
VBN Voltage triangle
Voltage phasor

Chapter 5 49
Example 9 (Millman’s Theorem Method)
A
Consider the 3-wire star- IA
connected load as shown, YA VAO
in which all the impedances O
are expressed in term of
IC
their admittances (Y, C YB YC
Siemens, S). IB
B

YA=1/ZA , YB=1/ZB, and YC=1/ZC

IA = VAO YA
IB = VBO YB --------- (2.1)
IC = VCO YC
At point O,
IA + IB + IC = 0 --------- (2.2)
Chapter 5 50
Sub (2.1) into (2.2)
VAO YA + VBO YB + VCO YC = 0 --------(2.3)
Referring to the voltage triangle on page 49
VAO = VAN + VNO,
VBO = VBN + VNO, --------(2.4)
VCO = VCN + VNO

Sub (2.4) into (2.3)

(VAN + VNO) YA + (VBN + VNO) YB + (VCN + VNO) YC = 0

VAN YA + VBN YB + VCN YC

VON = ------------------------------------- --------(2.5)
YA + YB + YC
Where VON = - VNO
Chapter 5 51
Repeat Example 8 by using the Millman’s Theorem.
YA = 1/(60) = 0.16670 = 0.1667 1
YB = 1/(545) = 0.2-45= 0.1414 – j0.1414 1
YC = 1/(630) = 0.1667–30 = 0.1443 – j0.0833 1

YA + YB + YC = 0.4524 – j2247 1 = 0.504–26.5 1

VAN = 12090 V, VBN = 120–150 V, VCN = 120–30 V

VANYA = (12090) (0.16670) = 2090 A

VBNYB = (120-150) (0.2–45) = 24-195 A

VCNYC = (120-30) (0.1667–30) = 20-60 A

VANYA + VBNYB + VCNYC = 15.9146 A

 VON = (15.9146) / 0.504–26.5

Chapter 5
= 31.5172.5 V # 52
VAO = VAN + VNO = 12090 – 31.5172.5 = 120.074.9 V #
VBO = VBN + VNO = 120-150 – 31.5172.5= 96.9-138.6 V #
VCO = VCN + VNO = 120-30 –31.5172.5 = 149.6-25.4 V #

IA = VAOYA = (120.074.9) (0.16670) = 20.074.9 A #

IB = VBOYB = (96.9-138.6) (0.2–45) = 19.4176.4 A #
IC = VCOYC = (149.6-25.4) (0.1667–30) = 24.9–55.4 A #

The above currents and voltages compare favorably with the

results of Example 8

Chapter 5 53
3-Phase Power Measurement
• The total power P3 of a three phase system is given by
P3 = PL1-N + PL2-N + PL3-N for Star-connected load or
P3 = PL1-L2 + PL2-L3 + PL3-L1 for Delta-connected load

• When the system is balance,

P3 = 3 VL IL cos 

Chapter 5 54
1. One Wattmeter Method
• For balanced load condition
• Neutral point/connection points of the load are accessible
• Total power = 3 x (wattmeter reading)

M L V+
M
V+ V V
Z L
Z

Z
Z Z Z

Connection diagram in one-wattmeter method

Chapter 5 55
• When the neutral is not accessible, or connection to
the load is not accessible.
• Three identical inductors used to produce an artificial
neutral.
M L

V+ V
3-phase
Balanced
Load

One-wattmeter method with three inductors

Chapter 5 56
2.Two Wattmeter Method

• Applicable for all 3-Phase 3-Wire Systems.

- delta load (balance or unbalance loads)
- star load without neutral (balance or unbalance loads)
• Applicable for star load with neutral (balance load only)
• The current coils of the wattmeters are connected in any
two lines.
• The voltage coils are connected across the
corresponding lines and the third line.

Chapter 5 57
 L IL1
M
L1
V+ V
Z1

IL2 Z3
L2 Z2

V+ V
IL3
L3
M L

Connection of wattmeters in two-wattmeter method

Chapter 5 58
Proof of total three-phase power can be
measured by the Two Wattmeter Method

• The neutral should not be present.

IL1 + IL2 + IL3 = 0
IL2 = (IL1 + IL3)
• Instantaneously, the readings on the two wattmeters
are
p1 = vL1-L2 iL1
p2 = vL3-L2 iL3
• Total Power is
p1 + p2 = vL1-L2 iL1 + vL3-L2 iL3
Chapter 5 59
 p1 + p2 = vL1-L2 iL1 + vL3-L2 iL3
= (vL1-N – vL2-N) iL1 + (vL3-N – vL2-N)iL3
= vL1-N iL1 – vL2-N iL1 + vL3-N iL3– vL2-NiL3
= vL1-N iL1 – (iL1 + iL3) vL2-N + vL3-N iL3
= vL1-N iL1 + vL2-N iL2 + vL3-N iL3
= pL1 + pL2 + pL3

• Thus at any instant,

The sum of the two wattmeter readings = the total power
dissipated in the three phases

Chapter 5 60
• On taking the averages :
average power dissipated = average value of sum of
wattmeter readings
i.e. PT = P1 + P2
• Note that for balanced star load,
iL1 + iL2 + iL3 = 0 is automatically fulfilled.

Chapter 5 61
Power Factor Measurement by 2-wattmeter method for balance load system

VL3-L2 30- 

VL3-L1 VL3-N VL1-L2

IL3
P1
L1 M L IR 30 
(Brown) 30
VL1-N
Balance 3-phase
V + V 
 IL1
IL2 30
Load

L2

(Black)
VL2-N
V+ V
L3 IB
(Grey) M L VL2-L3
P2
Chapter 5 62
P1 =VL1-L2 IL1 cos (between VL1-L2 and IL1)
P2 =VL3-L2 IL3 cos (between VL3-L2 and IL3)

Taking VL2-L3 as reference and assume the load has a

lagging. power factor of cos 

P1 = VL IL cos (30 + )
P2 = VL IL cos (30  )
P1 + P2 = VL IL  cos (30 + ) + cos (30  )
= VL IL (2 cos 30)( cos)
= 3 VL IL cos 
= total power
Chapter 5 63
 but P2  P1 = VL IL 2sinsin30
= VL IL sin 
Note : Q  3VL I L sin   3 ( P2  P1 )

P2  P1 VL I L sin  tan 
 
P2  P1 3VL I L cos  3
1 1
p f  cos   
sec  1  tan 2 
1
cos  
P2  P1 2
1  3( )
P2  P1
Chapter 5 64
Note :
1. For the case of lagging phase angle  ,  will be negative
in the stated equation.
2. For phase angle greater than 60 , one wattmeter will
have a negative deflection , in which case the
connections to the voltage coil of that wattmeter should
be reversed to give an upscale reading. Such a
reversed reading must always be subtracted to give the
total power.

Chapter 5 65
Example 5
A 3-phase induction motor develops 11.2 kW when working at 85%
efficiency and at a p.f. of 0.45 lagging. Calculate the readings of
the two wattmeters connected to read the input power.

Solution:
Total power input = (11.2 x 103) / 0.85
= 13176.5 W = P1 + P2
Total input Var = 13176.5 tan = 13176.5 tan(cos-10.45)
=26148.868 Var (lagging)

P2  P1= 26148.868 / 3 = 15097.056 W

 P2 = 14136.78 W and P1 = - 960.28 W
Chapter 5 66
Example 6
Two-wattmeter method is used to measure a 3-phase balance
load system. Calculate the reading in each of wattmeter
when:
(a) p.f. = 1 ; (b) p.f. = 0.5 (c) p.f. = 0

Solution:
(a) cos  = 1 =0

P1 VL I L cos(30   )  ( 3 / 2)VL I L

P2 VL I L cos(30   )  ( 3 / 2)VL I L
At p.f. =1, P1 = P2
Total power = P1 + P2 = 3 VL IL

Chapter 5 67
(b) cos  = 0.5 ,  = 60
P1 VL I L cos(30  60 )  cos(90)  0
P2 VL I L cos(30  60 )  cos(30)  ( 3 / 2)VL I L
Total power = P1 + P2 =  3/2 (VLIL)
(c) cos  = 0 ,  = 90
P1 VL I L cos(30  90 )  cos(120)  (1 / 2)VL I L
P2 VL I L cos(30  90 )  cos(60)  (1 / 2)VL I L

 with zero pf, the readings of the two wattmeters are

equal but of opposite sign.
Note that when pf is below 0.5 , one of the wattmeter will
read negative.
Chapter 5 68
 Reference
• Chapter 24 Three-phase Systems in
Robbins & Miller (Latest Edition). Circuit
Analysis: Theory and Practice. Thomson.

Chapter 5 69