Three-Phase A.C. Systems Explained

Module : Electric Machines and Systems Syll. No.
: MA1094
Topic : Three-Phase A.C. System Unit 1
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Three-Phase A.C. System

Aim
At the end of this unit, the student should be able to understand the principle of
three-phase alternating voltage and power generation.
Learning Outcome
At the end of this unit, the student should be able to :
1 Explain how three-phase alternating voltage is generated.
2 Explain with waveforms how the three-phase voltages are out of phase with
each other by 120o.
3 Describe the 4-wire, 3-phase, star-connection.
4 Explain the function of the neutral wire with balanced load and unbalanced
load.
5 Describe the 3-phase star-connection with balanced load and state the
relationship between line and phase voltages and currents.
6 Describe the 3-phase delta-connection with balanced load and state the
relationships between line and phase voltages and currents.
7 Derive the formula for power in a 3-phase system with balanced load.
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LFL / 2009/2010 Unit 1 - Page 1 SP / SMA
Module : Electric Machines and Systems Syll. No. : MA1094
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Introduction
The application of electrical power is generally in heating, lighting and motive. For
heating and lighting, a single phase a.c. system is perfectly satisfactory. However
for motive power, i.e. in a.c. motors, the single-phase system is not very
satisfactory. The single-phase induction motor working from a single-phase system
for example, is not self starting unless it is fitted with an auxiliary winding for
starting. By using the 3-phase system, it was found that the induction motor was
self starting and had better efficiency and power factor than the corresponding
single-phase motor.
3-Phase Voltage Generation
In 3-phase voltage generation there are 3 similar coils or windings, insulated from
each other and fixed at 1200 apart as shown in figure1 below. Each coil terminates
in a pair of slip rings carried on the shaft.
# Note in 3-phase the sequence of Red, Yellow and then Blue is used to represent
each phase; i.e. R - Y - B.
Figure 1
The 3 coils are arranged to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction at a constant

speed in the magnetic field produced by the N-S magnetic poles. As the coils
rotate in the magnetic field, their conductors cut magnetic lines of flux, and this
causes e.m.f.s to be induced in the 3 coils. Since the coils are mounted 120 o apart
the e.m.f.s induced in them are out of phase by 120 o. Figure 2 shows the
waveforms of each phase with the Yellow phase lagging the Red phase by 120 0
and the Blue phase lagging the Yellow phase by another 120 0 :
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Figure 2 Waveforms of three-phase e.m.f.s.
An important characteristic of a balanced 3 phase system is that the instantaneous

value of the Total e.m.f. is always Zero . For example : P-P1 is any ordinate drawn
to cut the 3 waveforms, it will be seen that the algebraic sum of the ordinates is
ac + bc - cd = 0. ( i.e. ac + bc = cd )
It is with this important characteristics that Delta or Star 3-phase windings can be
constructed for balanced load, using only 3 wire instead of 4 wire. (i.e. without a
common return neutral wire). This will be further elaborated.
Star-Connection
The 3-phase windings can be connected in a star-configuration with a return

neutral wire making it a 4-wire system :
Figure 3 : 4-wire, Star-connection
The 4-wire 3-phase system is used when there is lighting load to be supplied at
phase voltage in which case the lighting load across the phases may not be
balanced and the out-of-balanced return current is carried by the neutral wire.
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However for most 3-phase machines e.g. motor, transformer etc. loads L1 , L2 and
L3 are made to be equal ( i.e. the 3 loads are balanced ). If these 3 loads are
exactly identical, the phase currents have the same maximum value I max , and differ
by 1200 . Hence the instantaneous value of the resultant current ( total current ) in
the common or neutral wire is always Zero. The neutral wire can therefore be
dispensed with (removed), thereby giving us the 3-wire, 3-phase, star-connected
system.
The phase currents : iR , iY and iB are of equal value and differing in phase by 120 o.
The waveforms of these currents can be drawn as below :
Figure 4 Waveforms of currents in a balanced three-phase

star-connected system.
Note again the instantaneous total current is always zero. Therefore a return wire
is not necessary for balanced load.
Figure 5 The 3-wire, 3-phase, Star-Connection with balanced load.
Delta-Connection ( or Mesh-Connection )
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Another method of connecting up 3-phase windings is the Delta or Mesh type of

connection. This system is made possible by connections at the slip rings.
Figure 6 : 3-phase Delta-Connection with balanced load.
As shown earlier, the e.m.f.s generated in each phase are similar ( since all three
coils are similar) and differs by 120 0 from each other.
Figure 7 Waveforms of three-phase e.m.f.s.
The instantaneous value of the total resultant e.m.f. being always equal to zero
and so there is no resultant current flowing around within the delta circuit loop.
Usually a.c. generators are connected in star-connection while a.c. motors are
connected in delta-connection.
Relationships between Line and Phase Voltages and Currents in Star-

Connection with Balanced Load.
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Figure 8 shows the three windings ( or coils ) of a star-connected generator. The

e.m.f. induced in each coil ( ENR, ENY, ENB ) is called the phase voltage. The phase
voltage is considered positive when acting from the neutral point ‘ N ‘ outwards.
The r.m.s. values of the e.m.f.s generated in the three phases are represented by
ENR, ENY, ENB in the phasor diagram of figure 9. The value of the e.m.f. acting from Y
via N to R is the phase difference of ENR and ENY ( i.e. ENR - ENY ). This is the phasor
sum of ENR and EYN ( the negative component of ENY ). EYN is drawn equal and
opposite to ENY in figure 9. Hence the e.m.f. acting from Y to R via N is represented
by EYNR and this is called the line voltage between Y and R.
Similarly, the line voltage between B and Y is E BNY = ENY - ENB. Also the line voltage
between R and B is ERNB = ENB - ENR.
Figure 8 Star-Connected Generator.
Figure 9 Phasor diagram for Star-Connected Generator.
From figure 9 it can be derived that :
EYNR = 2 x ENR x cos 30o = 1.732 x ENR = 3 x ENR
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i.e. Line Voltage = 3 x Phase Voltage.
From figure 8 it can be seen that the current flowing in each coil ( called the phase
current ) is equal to the line current flowing out of the line connected to that coil.
Hence, for Star-Connection :
if VL = Line Voltage ( i.e. voltage between any two supply lines )
and VP = Phase Voltage ( i.e. voltage induced in each coil )
then VL = 3 x VP .
Also if IL = Line current ( current flowing in supply line )

and IP = Phase current ( current flowing in winding )
then IL = I P
Relationships between Line and Phase Voltages & Currents in a Delta-

Connection with Balanced Load.
Figure 10 Delta-Connection with Balanced Load
Let I1 , I2 and I3 be the r.m.s. values of the phase currents having their positive
directions as indicated by the arrows in figure 10. Since the loads in the three
phases are identical ( i.e. balanced ) these currents are equal in magnitude but out
of phase by 120o as shown in figure 11.
From figure 10 it can be seen that :
Line Voltage = Phase Voltage ( VL = VP )
And IR = I1 - I3 ( i.e. the phase difference between I 1 and I3 )
Similarly, IY = I 2 - I 1 and IB = I 3 - I 2
Also from figure 8.11 it can be seen that :

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IR = 2 x I1 x cos 30o = 3 x I1
i.e. Line Current = 3 x Phase Current
Figure 11 Phasor diagram for delta-connected balanced load.
Hence, for Delta-Connection with Balanced Load :
Line Voltage = Phase Voltage

V L = VP
Line Current = 3 x Phase Current

IL = 3 x IP
Worked Examples.
Ex.1 A 3-phase, balanced star-connected system has a phase voltage of 240 V

and a phase current of 200 A. What is the line voltage and line current ?
For Star-Connection :
VL = 3 x VP = 3 x 240 = 415.7 V.
IL = IP = 200 A.
Ex.2 A 3-phase balanced load is connected to a 3-phase supply of line voltage

440 V and line current 50 A. What is the phase voltage and phase current in
each phase ?
For Delta-Connection :
VP = VL = 440 V.
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50
IL = 3 x IP Thus IP = = 28.9 A .
3
Power in 3-phase System with Balanced Load :
N.B : The currents and voltages discussed here are r.m.s. value.
IP = r.m.s. value of current in each phase

VP = r.m.s. value of the p.d. across each phase.
Power per phase = IP x VP x power factor (cos )

and Total power = 3 x IP x VP cos  ( for 3 phases )
Star-connected System :
1
VP = x VL ( where VL is the r.m.s. value of line voltage ).
3
and IP = IL ( r.m.s. values )
Substituting, Total power = 3 x IP x VP x cos 

1
= 3 x IP x ( x VL ) x cos 
3
= 3 xL x VL cos 
Delta-connected System :
VP = VL ( r.m.s. values )
1
IP = x IL ( where IL is r.m.s. value of line current )
3
Again Substituting, Total power = 3 x IP x VP x cos 

1
= 3x( x IL ) x VL x cos 
3
= 3 xL x VL cos 
Therefore for both Star- and Delta-connected balanced 3-phase loads :
Total Power = 3 xL x VL cos  watts
Worked Examples
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Ex.3 A 3 phase system supplies 25 kW at a p.f. of 0.8, the line voltage being
250V. Calculate the line current and the phase current when the load is :
(a) star-connected
(b) delta-connected.
(a) Star-Connection :
Total power = 3 xL x VL cos  watts
25,000 = 3 xL x 250 x 0.8
25000
IL = = 72.16 A .
250x0.8x 3
IP = IL = 72.16 A .
(b) Delta-Connection :
25,000 = 3 xL x 250 x 0.8
25000
IL = = 72.16 A .
250x0.8 x 3
72.16
But : IL = 3 x IP Thus IP = = 41.67 A .
3
Ex.4 Three identical coils, each having a resistance of 10 ohms and an

inductance of 0.02H, are connected :
(a) in star,
(b) in delta,
to a 3 phase, 50 Hz supply, of 500 V line voltage.
Calculate for each case the line current and the total power absorbed.
For each coil :
Inductive Reactance = 2  f L = 2 x 3.142 x 50 x 0.02 = 6.283 .

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R2  XL = 102  6.2832 = 11.81 .

2
Impedance = Z =
R 10
Also power factor = cos  = = = 0.847 lagging.
Z 1181
.
(a) Star-Connection :
For each phase : VP = IP x Z
VL 500
and VP = = = 288.7 V
3 3
VP 288.7
 IP = = = 24.44 = Line Current.
Z 1181
.

 3 x 24.44 x 500 x 0.847 = 17.93 kW .
(b) VP = VL = 500 V
VP 500
IP = = = 42.34 A
Z 1181
.
but IL = 3 x IP = 3 x 42.34 = 73.31 A .

 3 x 73.31 x 500 x 0.847 = 53.75 kW .
Tutorial : 3-Phase AC System
Section A
For each of the following questions, choose the most correct answer given :
1. The e.m.f.s generated in a 3-phase generator are out of phase by :
(a) 90o (b) 120o (c) 270o (d) 360o
2. In a balanced 3-phase system, the instantaneous value of the sum of the 3-

phase voltages is always equal to :
(a) 3 x phase voltage (b) 3 x line voltage

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(d) 3 x phase voltage (d) zero.
3. For unbalanced load, which of the following connections is suitable ?
(a) 3-wire star-connection (b) 3-wire delta-connection
(c) 3-wire open delta-connection (d) 4-wire star-connection
4. In the 4-wire, star-connected, 3-phase system shown in figure 12, the

neutral wire would be :
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D
Figure 12

voltage between A and B is the :
(a) line voltage (b) phase voltage
(c) sum of two line voltages (d) difference of two line voltages

voltage between A and N is :
(a) line voltage (b) phase voltage
(c) sum of two line voltages (d) difference of two line voltages.
7. In the 4-wire, star-connected, 3-phase system with balanced load, the phase
currents are each 3 A. The current carried by the neutral wire will be :
(a) 3A (b) 6A (c) 9A (d) 0 A.
8. In a 4-wire, 3-phase, star-connected system, the line current is 5 A. The

phase current will be :
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(a) 20 A (b) 15 A (c) 10 A (d) 5 A.
9. In a balanced 3-phase star-connected system, the line voltage is :
(a) the phasor difference of two phase voltages

(b) the phasor sum of two phase voltages
(c) 2 x phase voltage
(d) 3 x phase voltage.
10. In a balanced 3-phase star-connected system, the line current is :
(a) 2 x phase current (b) 3 x phase current
(c) 3 x phase current (d) equal to the phase current.
11. In a balanced 3-phase, delta-connected system shown in figure 13, the

voltage between A and B is :
(a) sum of two phase voltages

(b) difference of two phase voltages
(c) line voltage
(d) phase voltage.
Figure 13

voltage between E and F is :
(a) sum of two phase voltages

(b) difference of two phase voltages
(c) line voltage
(d) phase voltage.

voltage between A and B is :
(a) equal to the voltage between EF

(b) 3 x voltage between DE
(c) 3 x volage between DF
(d) sum of the voltages of DE and EF.
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current IP is :
(a) 3 x lL (b) 3 x lL
1
(c) x IL (d) equals to IL .
3

current IP is :
(a) 3 x lP (b) is the line current

1
(c) x IP (d) equals to phasor sum of two phase currents.
3
16. Total power in a 3-phase, star-system with balanced load is equal to :
(a) 3 x IL x VP x cos  (b) 3 x IL x VP x cos 
(c) 3 x IP x VP x cos  (d) 3 x IP x VP x cos 
17. Total power in a 3-phase, delta-system with balanced load is equal to :
(a) 3 x IP x VP x cos  (b) 3 x IL x VL x cos 
(c) 3 x IL x VP x cos  (d) 3 x IL x VL x cos 
18. Total power in a 3-phase, star-system with balanced load is :
(a) 3 x that of a delta-system (b) 3 x that of a delta-system
(c) equal to that of a delta-system (d) 2 x that of a delta-system
19. The line voltage of a 3-phase, star-system is 11 kV. The phase voltage will
be :
(a) 7778 V (b) 11 kV (c) 19.05 V (d) 6351 V.
20. In a 3-phase, delta-system with balanced load, the line current is 1.73 A.
The phase current will be :
(a) 1.73 A (b) 1.0 A (c) 0.707 A (d) 1.414 A.
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Section B
1. (a) Sketch a simple labelled circuit diagram to show the three windings
of a star- connected generator.
Indicate on this diagram the following : phase voltage, line voltage,
phase current and line current.
(b) Sketch a simple labelled circuit diagram to show a balanced 3-phase

load delta-connected to a 3-phase supply.
Indicate on this diagram the following : phase voltage, line voltage,
phase current and line current.
2. A three-phase, star-connected generator supplies 4,000 kW at a power

factor of 0.8 lagging with a line voltage of 6600 V. Calculate the line current.
( Ans : 437.4 A )
3. A three-phase, delta-connected induction motor absorbs 7500 W, at a

power factor of 0.85 lagging, from the supply. If the line voltage is 440 volts,
calculate the phase current.
( Ans : 6.69 A )
4. A balanced three-phase load is connected to a 440-V line voltage, 50 Hz,

three-phase supply. The impedance of each phase is 20  and its power
factor is 0.8 lagging.
Determine the total power when the load is : (a) star connected and
(b) delta connected.
( Ans : 7743 W, 23232 W )
5. Three similar coils each having a resistance of 15 ohms and an inductance

of 0.04 henry, are connected to a three-phase, 50 Hz supply with a line
voltage of 220 volts.
(a) If they are star-connected, calculate the line current and total power
absorbed.
(b) If they are delta-connected, calculate the phase current, line current.
and the total power adsorbed.
( Ans : (a) 6.49 A, 1895 W, (b) 11.24 A, 19.47 A, 5686 W. )
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MCQ Ans :
1. B 2. D 3. D 4. D 5. A 6. B 7. D 8. D 9. A 10. D
11. C 12. D 13. A 14. C 15. B 16. C 17. D 18. C 19. D 20. B
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Three-Phase A.C. Systems Explained

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Module : Electric Machines and Systems Syll. No.

Three-Phase A.C. System

At the end of this unit, the student should be able to :

1 Explain how three-phase alternating voltage is generated.

3 Describe the 4-wire, 3-phase, star-connection.

3-Phase Voltage Generation

The 3 coils are arranged to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction at a constant

Figure 2 Waveforms of three-phase e.m.f.s.

An important characteristic of a balanced 3 phase system is that the instantaneous

The 3-phase windings can be connected in a star-configuration with a return

Figure 3 : 4-wire, Star-connection

Figure 4 Waveforms of currents in a balanced three-phase

Figure 5 The 3-wire, 3-phase, Star-Connection with balanced load.

Another method of connecting up 3-phase windings is the Delta or Mesh type of

Figure 6 : 3-phase Delta-Connection with balanced load.

Figure 7 Waveforms of three-phase e.m.f.s.

Relationships between Line and Phase Voltages and Currents in Star-

Figure 8 shows the three windings ( or coils ) of a star-connected generator. The

Figure 8 Star-Connected Generator.

Figure 9 Phasor diagram for Star-Connected Generator.

From figure 9 it can be derived that :

EYNR = 2 x ENR x cos 30o = 1.732 x ENR = 3 x ENR

i.e. Line Voltage = 3 x Phase Voltage.

Hence, for Star-Connection :

if VL = Line Voltage ( i.e. voltage between any two supply lines )

and VP = Phase Voltage ( i.e. voltage induced in each coil )

Also if IL = Line current ( current flowing in supply line )

Relationships between Line and Phase Voltages & Currents in a Delta-

Figure 10 Delta-Connection with Balanced Load

From figure 10 it can be seen that :

Line Voltage = Phase Voltage ( VL = VP )

And IR = I1 - I3 ( i.e. the phase difference between I 1 and I3 )

Also from figure 8.11 it can be seen that :

i.e. Line Current = 3 x Phase Current

Figure 11 Phasor diagram for delta-connected balanced load.

Hence, for Delta-Connection with Balanced Load :

Line Voltage = Phase Voltage

Line Current = 3 x Phase Current

Ex.1 A 3-phase, balanced star-connected system has a phase voltage of 240 V

Ex.2 A 3-phase balanced load is connected to a 3-phase supply of line voltage

Power in 3-phase System with Balanced Load :

IP = r.m.s. value of current in each phase

Power per phase = IP x VP x power factor (cos )

Substituting, Total power = 3 x IP x VP x cos 

Again Substituting, Total power = 3 x IP x VP x cos 

Therefore for both Star- and Delta-connected balanced 3-phase loads :

Total Power = 3 xL x VL cos  watts

Total power = 3 xL x VL cos  watts

25,000 = 3 xL x 250 x 0.8

Total power = 3 xL x VL cos  watts

25,000 = 3 xL x 250 x 0.8

Ex.4 Three identical coils, each having a resistance of 10 ohms and an

For each coil :

Inductive Reactance = 2  f L = 2 x 3.142 x 50 x 0.02 = 6.283 .

R2  XL = 102  6.2832 = 11.81 .

For each phase : VP = IP x Z

Total power = 3 xL x VL cos  watts

but IL = 3 x IP = 3 x 42.34 = 73.31 A .

Total power = 3 xL x VL cos  watts

Tutorial : 3-Phase AC System

1. The e.m.f.s generated in a 3-phase generator are out of phase by :

(a) 90o (b) 120o (c) 270o (d) 360o

2. In a balanced 3-phase system, the instantaneous value of the sum of the 3-