Three-Phase Systems

Lecture 1
M. I . Elsaid
Professor of Electric Power Systems
Dept. of Electrical Eng., Faculty of Eng, Mansoura University

Introduction
In a three-phase system, three voltages are generated
with specific relationship in amplitude, frequency and
phase. The amplitude and frequency of the voltages are the
same but each voltage is displaced from the other by 120o.
Three-phase systems have a three-phase conductors
identified as a, b, and c and the fourth conductor is the

neutral n.

Balanced Three-Phase Voltages

A three-phase generator consists of a rotating magnet
(rotor) surrounded by a stationary winding (stator).

Three-phase generator

Generated voltages

Advantages of Three-Phase Systems

With the same sizes3-phase generators and electrical motors
have high output power and better capacity than single phase
system.
The size of the copper wire required to carry current from the

generator to a load can be reduced when a three-phase rather than

a single-phase system is used. This results in a smaller cross-section.
The power delivered by a single-phase system pulsates and falls to
zero. The three-phase power never falls to zero. The power delivered
to the load in a three-phase system is the same at any instant.

Balanced Three-Phase Voltages

Two possible configurations:

Y-connected

-connected

Phase Voltages and its Sequences

It refers to the order in which three-phase voltage
generated.
Positive sequence (abc)
Negative sequence (acb)

Positive phase sequence (abc)

Phase voltages:

Van VP 0
Vbn VP 120o
Vcn VP 240 VP 120
o

VP = magnitude of phase voltage

Negative phase sequence (acb)

Phase voltages:

Van VP 0
Vbn VP 240
Vcn VP 120

Example 1:
Determine the phase sequence of the set of voltages.

We notice that Vbn leads Van by 120 and Vcn in turn

leads Vbn by 120. Hence, we have an acb sequence.

Possible Load Configurations

Four possible connections between

source and load:
1. Y-Y connection (Y-connected
source with a Y-connected load)
2. Y- connection (Y-connected
source with a -connected load)
3. - connection

4. -Y connection

1- Balanced (YY) System

A balanced Y-Y system is a three-phase system with
a balanced Y-connected source and a balanced
Y-connected load.

Phase and line Voltage

Phase Voltage (VP): Voltage difference between any

line (a, b, c) and the neutral (n).

Line Voltage (VL): Voltage difference between any

two lines.

In a Y- system, the line voltage is higher than the

phase voltage and is given by:

Vab = Van - Vbn

LineVoltage (VL ) 3 . phase voltage (VP ) and leads it by 30o

Phase voltages:

Van VP 0
Vbn VP 120o
Vcn VP 240

Line voltages:

VL 3 VP and leads it by 30

Vab 3 VP 30
Vbc 3 VP 90o

Vp =220 V

Vca 3 VP 210o

VL = 380 V

Phase and Line currents:

In Y- connected system:
Line current = Phase current
IL = IP

Example 2:
For the three-wire Y-Y system shown below, calculate:
a- Line voltages of the supply.
b- Phase currents and voltages of the load.

Solution:
a- Line voltages of the supply are given by:

VL 3 VP and leads it by 30

Vab= 190.52 30o

Vbc = 190.52 -90o

Vca=190.52 -210o

b- Phase or line currents:

ZT = ZY + ZL = 10 + j8 +5-j2 = 15 + j6 = 16.15 21.8o
Ia = Van/ZT =6.8 -21.8o A
Ib= 6.8 -141.8 o
Ic= 6.8 -261.8o
Phase voltages of the load:
VAN = Ia.ZY = 87.04 16.8o V
VBN = 87.04 -103.2o
VCN = 87.04 -223.2o

2- Balanced Y System
A balanced Y- system is a three-phase system with a balanced
Y connected source and a balanced -connected load.

Line and Phase Voltages of connection

Phase voltage = Line voltage
VP = VL
Line and Phase Currents of connection
Line currents:
Ia, Ib and Ic
Phase currents:

IAB, IBC and ICA

Ia = IAB ICA
Ib = IBC IAB
Ic = ICA - IBC

I L 3 I P and lags it by 30

Transformation of the -connected load to an equivalent

Y- connected load Single Phase Equivalent

ZY = Z /3

Y transformation

Z = 3 ZY

Y- transformation

Example 3:
A balanced abc-sequence Y-connected source with
Van = 10010o V is connected to a -connected
load (8+j4) /phase. Calculate the phase and line
currents.

Solution:
Line currents

Ib = 33.54 -136.57o A
Ic = 33.54 -256.57o A

I L 3I P 30

Phase Currents:
IAB = 14.37 13.43o A

IL
o
Ip
30
3

IBC = 14.37 -106.43o A

ICA = 14.37 -226.43o A
Please, find phase & line currents by another method.

Summary of phase and line voltages/currents

for balanced three-phase systems