1EE801- Electrical Science

Unit-4: Polyphase AC Circuits

Generation of three-phase emf, star connection, delta connection, relationship between
line and phase quantities, solution to three phase balanced circuits, power measurement in
three-phase circuits, variation in wattmeter reading with power factor, related numerical.

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Unit-4: Poly-phase AC System
➢ A polyphase system is a means of distributing alternating-current (AC) electrical power where the power transfer is
constant during each electrical cycle.
➢ AC phase refers to the phase offset value (in degrees) between AC in multiple conducting wires; phases may also
refer to the corresponding terminals and conductors, as in color codes.
➢ Polyphase systems have three or more energized electrical conductors carrying AC with a phase diference between
the voltage waves in each conductor;
➢ Polyphase circuits contain multiple sources at the same frequency but different phases.
2𝜋 360𝑜
➢ The Electrical angular displacement or phase difference in poly phase system: 𝜃 = 𝑛
= 𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒

➢ For three-phase voltage, the phase angle is 360/3 = 120° or 2π/3 radians.
➢ Once polyphase power is available, it may be converted to any desired number of phases with a suitable
arrangement of transformers.
➢ A two-phase supply with 90 degrees between phases can be derived from a three-phase system using a Scott-
connected transformer.

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Generation of Three-phase emf

Three-Phase AC system
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Generation of Three-phase emf & Phase sequences

Three-Phase AC system
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Phase sequences of Three-phase AC

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Connections of Three-phase AC
There are two configurations for 3-phase circuits:
1. Star or Wye connection
2. Delta connections

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Line and phase quantities in three-phase star/ delta connection

Star Delta
Connection Connection

➢ The current flowing through each phase is called Phase current Iph
➢ The current flowing through each line conductor is called Line Current IL Similarly, the voltage across each phase is
called Phase Voltage Eph
➢ The voltage across two line conductors is known as the Line Voltage EL
➢ A balanced 3-phase system means that in all the three phases, i.e., R, Y and B, the equal amount of current flows
through them.
➢ Therefore, the three voltages ENR, ENY and ENB are equal in magnitude but displaced from one another by 120°
electrical.

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Relationship between Line and phase quantities in three-phase STAR connection
❖ In balanced 3-phase star connected system:

Similarly, from the Phasor diagram

❖ The Line & Phase currents:

❖ In a 3 Phase system of star connections,

the line current is equal to phase current
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Relationship between Line and phase quantities in three-phase DELTA connection
❖ In 3-phase delta connected system:

The Phase voltages :

The Line voltages :
❖ In delta connection line voltage is equal to phase voltage

❖ In 3-phase delta connected balanced system:

Similarly, from the Phasor diagram

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Three phase power in balanced Star & Delta circuit
❖ In a balanced 3-phase system:
➢ In Star Connection, IL = IP & VL = √3 VP
➢ In Delta Connection, VL = VP & IL = √3 IP

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Numerical Q3. Three identical coils, each of resistance 10 Ω and
Q1. Three loads, each of resistance 30Ω, are connected in inductance 42mH are connected (a) in star and (b) in delta
star to a 415 V, 3-phase supply. to a 415V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply. Determine the total
Determine: (a) the system phase voltage, power dissipated in each case.
(b) the phase current and (c) the line current. Solution: (a) Star connection
Solution: A ‘415 V, 3-phase supply’ means that 415 V is the Inductive reactance, XL =2πf L =2π (50) (42×10−3) =13.19 Ω
line voltage, VL Phase impedance, ZP =√(R2 +XL2) =√(102 +13.192) =16.55 Ω
(a) For a star connection, VL =√3Vp Line voltage, VL =415 V
Hence phase voltage, VP = VL/√3 And phase voltage, VP =VL/√3=415/√3=240 V.
= 415 /√3 = 239.6 V or 240 V correct to 3 significant figures Phase current, IP =VP/ZP =240/16.55=14.50 A.
(b) Phase current, IP = VP/RP = 240/30 = 8 A Line current, IL =IP =14.50 A.
(c) For a star connection, IP = IL Power factor= cos φ=RP/ZP =10/16.55 =0.6042 lagging.
Hence the line current, IL = 8 A Power dissipated,
Q2. The input power to a 3-phase a.c. motor is measured as P =√ 3 VLIL cos φ =√3 (415) (14.50)(0.6042) = 6.3kW
5kW. If the voltage and current to the motor are 400V and (Alternatively, P =3I2R =3(14.50)2(10)=6.3kW)
8.6A respectively, determine the power factor of the (b) Delta connection
system? VL = VP = 415 V,
ZP = 16.55, cos φ = 0.6042 lagging (from above).
Solution: Power P=5000W, Phase current, IP =VP/ZP =415/16.55=25.08A.
line voltage VL = 400 V, line current, IL = 8.6A and Line current, IL =√3IP =√3(25.08)=43.44A.
power, P =√3 VLIL cos φ Power dissipated, P =√ 3 VLIL cos φ
Hence, power factor = cos φ = P/ √ 3 VLIL =√3 (415)(43.44)(0.6042) = 18.87kW
= 5000/√3 (400) (8.6) = 0.839 (Alternatively, P =3I2R =3(25.08)2(10) =18.87 kW)
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Power measurement in three phase circuit
❖ The three phase power measurement can be carried out using
the following methods:
➢ One wattmeter method
➢ Three wattmeter method
➢ Two wattmeter method
❖ One Wattmeter Method
o In a balanced 3-wire, 3-phase load circuit the power in each phase is equal
and, therefore, the total power of the circuit can be determined by
multiplying the power measured in any one phase.
o Hence, the power measurement in three-phase, three-wire circuits can be
carried out by using the one wattmeter only.
o But this method has a disadvantage: Even a slight degree of unbalance in
the loading produces a significant error in the measurement.
❖ Three Wattmeter Method
o The power measurement in three-phase, three-wire circuit is carried out
by this method.
o The connection is shown in the figure.
o As the neutral wire is common to the three phases, each wattmeter reads
power in its own phase, and the total power is given by the sum of the
readings of three wattmeters.
o Total power of load circuit, P3-φ = W1 + W2 + W3
o In the case of delta connected circuits, power measurement by three
wattmeter method is very difficult because phase coils of load are
required to be broken for inserting the current coils of wattmeter.
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Power measurement in three phase circuit using Two Wattmeter method
o The two wattmeter method of power measurement in three-
phase circuits is suitable for every type of three-phase circuit
weather circuit is balanced or unbalanced and star
connected or delta connected.
o The current coils of two wattmeters are inserted in any two lines,
and the potential coil is connected from its own current coil to the
line without the current coil.
o It can be proved that the sum of the power measured by two
wattmeter W1 and W2 is equal to the total instantaneous power
absorbed by the load.
• Instantaneous reading of W1 wattmeter, P1 = I1. (V1 - V3)
• Instantaneous reading of W2 wattmeter, P2 = I2. (V2 - V3)
❖ Sum of instantaneous readings of two wattmeter, P = P1+ P2
= I1 (V1 - V3) + I2. (V2 - V3) = V1I1+ V2I2 - V3 (I1 + I2)
❖ From Kirchoff’s law, I1 + I 2 + I 3 = 0 OR I3 = - (I1+I2)
❖ Therefore, the sum of instantaneous readings of two wattmeters,
P = P1+ P2 = V1I1 + V2I2 + V3I3
❖ P3-φ = W1 + W2
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Phasor method for expression: Two-wattmeter method
➢ If wattmeter W1 measures the product of VRY, IR and the cosine of the angle
between VRY and IR.

➢ From the phasor diagram shown in Fig. 2, it is clear that cosine of angle
between VRY and IR is 𝑐𝑜𝑠 30 + 𝜑 .

➢ Thus wattmeter W1 reads

𝑊1 = 𝑉𝑅𝑌 𝐼𝑅 𝑐𝑜𝑠 30 + 𝜑 = 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠 30 + 𝜑 (A)

➢ Similarly, wattmeter W2 measures the product of VBY, IB and cosine of angle

between VBY and IB i.e. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 30 − 𝜑 .

➢ Thus wattmeter W2 reading is

𝑊2 = 𝑉𝐵𝑌 𝐼𝐵 𝑐𝑜𝑠 30 − 𝜑 = 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠 30 − 𝜑 (B) Phasor Diagram
➢ Adding Eqs. (A) and (B),
𝑊1 + 𝑊2 = 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠30. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛30. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠30. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛30. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑
3
𝑊1 + 𝑊2 = 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 2𝑐𝑜𝑠30. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 = 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 2 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 = 3 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 (C)
2
➢ From the above equation, it is evident that the active power in a three phase
circuit is expressed as 𝑃 = 3 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑.

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Phasor method for expression: Two-wattmeter method
➢ It is also proved that the power in a three phase circuit can be measured
using two wattmeters and is obtained by addition of the individual
wattmeter readings.
➢ Subtracting Eq. (B) from Eq. (A), we get
𝑊2 − 𝑊1 = 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠30. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛30. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠30. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛30. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑
𝑊2 − 𝑊1 = 𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑 (D)

➢ From the above Eq. (D), it is concluded that the reactive power ‘Q’
consumed by a three phase circuit is obtained by multiplying 3 with the
difference of wattmeter readings W1 and W2
3(𝑊2 − 𝑊1 ) = 3𝑉𝐿 𝐼𝐿 𝑠𝑖𝑛∅ = 𝑄 = Three phase reactive power
Phasor Diagram
➢ Dividing Eq. (D) by Eq. (C)
𝑊2 −𝑊1 1 𝑊2 −𝑊1
𝑊2 +𝑊1
= 3
𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ or 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ = 3 𝑊2 +𝑊1
𝑊2 −𝑊1
𝜑 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 3 𝑊2 +𝑊1
𝑊2 −𝑊1
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 3 (E)
𝑊2 +𝑊1

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 Numerical
Q4. Two wattmeters are connected to measure the Q5. Two wattmeters connected to a 3-phase motor indicate
input power to a balanced 3-phase load by the two- the total power input to be 12kW. The power factor is 0.6.
wattmeter method. If the instrument readings are Determine the readings of each wattmeter.
8kW and 4kW, determine (a) the total power input
and (b) the load power factor. Solution:
Solution: If the two wattmeters indicate P1 and P2 respectively
(a)Total input power, P=P1 +P2 =8+4=12kW Then P1 + P2 = 12kW ----(1)
(b) tan φ =√3(P1 − P2)/(P1 + P2) tan φ =√3(P1 − P2)/(P1 + P2), And power factor=0.6= cos φ.
=√3 (8 – 4) / (8 + 4) Angle φ= cos−10.6=53.13◦ and tan 53.13◦ =1.3333.
=√3 (4/12) =√3(1/3) = 1/ √3 Hence 1.3333 =√3(P1 − P2)/12
Hence φ= tan−1 1 √3 =30◦ From which, P1 − P2 = 12(1.3333) /√3
Power factor= cos φ= cos 30◦ =0.866 i.e. P1 −P2 =9.237kW ----(2)
Adding Equations (1) and (2) gives:
MCQ: 2P1 = 21.237, i.e P1 = 21.237/2
a. In two-wattmeter method, what should be the phase = 10.62kW Hence wattmeter 1 reads 10.62kW
angle to show zero reading in one of the wattmeter? From Equation (1), wattmeter 2 reads (12−10.62)=1.38kW
• Ans: 60o
b. In two-wattmeter method, what should be the power
factor of the load to show equal reading in both the
wattmeter? • Ans: Unity
c. In two-wattmeter method, what should be the power
factor of the load when one wattmeter reads twice the
other? • Ans: 0.866
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Star Connection (Y or Wye) Delta Connection (Δ)
A Star Connection is a 4 – wire connection (4th wire is optional A Delta Connection is a 3 – wire connection.
in some cases)
Two types of Star Connection systems are possible: 4 – wire 3 – In Delta Connection, only 3 – wire 3 phase system is possible.
phase system and 3 – wire 3 phase system.
Out of the 4 wires, 3 wires are the phases and 1 wire is the All the 3 wires are phases in a Delta Connection.
neutral (which is the common point of the 3 wires).
In a Star Connection, one end of all the three wires are In a Delta Connection, every wire is connected to two adjacent
connected to a common point in the shape of Y, such that all the wires in the form of a triangle (Δ) and all the three common
three open ends of the three wires form the three phases and points of the connection form the three phases.
the common point forms the neutral.
The Common point of the Star Connection is called Neutral or There is no neutral in Delta Connection
Star Point.
Line Voltage (voltage between any two phases) and Phase Line Voltage and Phase Voltage are same.
Voltage (voltage between any of the phase and neutral) is
different.
Line Voltage is root three times phase voltage i.e. VL = √3 VP. Line Voltage is equal to Phase Voltage i.e. VL = VP.
Here, VL is Line Voltage and VP is Phase Voltage.
Line Current and Phase Current are same. Line current is root three times the phase current.
In Star Connection, IL = IP. Here, IL is line current and IP is phase In Delta connection, IL = √3 IP
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Star Connection (Y or Wye) Delta Connection (Δ)
With a Star Connection, you can use two different voltages as VL In a Delta Connection, we get only a single voltage magnitude.
and VP are different. For example, in a 230V/400V system, the
voltage between any of the phase wire and neutral wire is 230V
and the voltage between any two phases is 400V.

Total three phase Power in a Star Connection can be calculated Total three phase Power in a Delta Connection can be calculated
using the following formulae. using the following formulae.
P = 3 x VP x IP x Cos(Φ) or P = 3 x VP x IP x Cos(Φ) or
P = √3 x VL x IL x Cos(Φ) P = √3 x VL x IL x Cos(Φ)

Since Line Voltage and Phase Voltage are different (VL = √3 VP), In a Delta Connection, the Line and Phase Voltages are same
the insulation required for each phase is less in a Star and hence, more insulation is required for individual phases.
Connection.

Usually, Star Connection is used in both transmission and Delta Connection is generally used in distribution networks.
distribution networks (with either single phase supply or three –
phase.

Since insulation required is less, Star Connection can be used for Delta Connections are used for shorter distances.
long distances.
Star Connections are often used in application which require Delta Connections are often used in applications which require
less starting current high starting torque.
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