THREE PHASE CIRCUITS

Introduction: Any electrical apparatus such as a generator, motor, transformer or rectifier having only one winding is called a single-phase system. If there are two windings in the above apparatus, connected in such a way that the voltages generated by them or the currents flowing through them have a phase difference of 90, then they are called as two-phase systems. If there are three windings in them, connected in such a way that the voltages generated by them or the currents flowing through them have a phase difference of 120, then they are called as three phase systems. If there are more than three windings in them, which are connected together, then they are called as poly-phase systems. Normally, three phase systems are used in most of the electrical apparatus, as they have several advantages over single-phase systems. Advantages of three phase systems: 1. Three phase motors are self starting whereas single phase motors are not self starting. 2. Three phase motors produce uniform torque whereas; the torque produced by single phase motors is pulsating. 3. A three phase apparatus is smaller than the single-phase apparatus of the same capacity and hence, requires less material (75% of single phase)for construction. 4. The connection of single phase generators in parallel give rise to harmonics, whereas, three phase generators can be conveniently connected in parallel without giving rise to the generation of harmonics. 5. In the case of a three phase star system, two different voltages can be obtained, one between lines and the other between the line and phase, whereas, only one voltage can be obtained in a single phase system. 6. For transmitting the same amount of power, over the same distance, under the same power loss, the amount of conductor material required is less in the case of a three phase system than in the case of single phase system. 7. A three phase apparatus is more efficient than a single-phase apparatus. 8. For the same capacity, a three phase apparatus costs less than a single-phase apparatus. 9. The power rating of three-phase motors and the KVA (kilo-voltamp) rating of three-phase transformers is about 150% greater than for single-phase motors or transformers with a similar frame size. 10. The power delivered by a single-phase system pulsates, and the power falls to zero three times during each cycle. The power delivered by a three-phase circuit pulsates also, but it never falls to zero, it is the same at any instant.

Generation of 3 phase AC Together, the six pole windings of a three-phase alternator are connected to comprise three winding pairs, each pair producing AC voltage with a phase angle 120o shifted from either of the other two winding pairs. The interconnections between pairs of windings (as shown for the single-phase

alternator: a. Single-phase alternator, (b) Three-phase alternator. Phase Sequence: The phase angle shift of 120 is a function of the actual rotational angle shift of the three pairs of windings (Figure below). If the magnet is rotating clockwise, winding 3 will generate its peak instantaneous voltage exactly 120 (of alternator shaft rotation) after winding 2, which will reach its peak 120 after winding 1. The magnet passes by each pole pair at different positions in the rotational movement of the shaft. Where we decide to place the windings will dictate the amount of phase shift between the windings' AC voltage waveforms. If we make winding 1 our reference voltage source for phase angle (0o), then winding 2 will have a phase angle of -120 (120 lagging, or 240 leading) and winding 3 an angle of -240 (or 120 leading). 1. This sequence of phase shifts has a definite order. For clockwise rotation of the shaft, the order is 1-2-3 (winding 1 peaks first, them winding 2, then winding 3). This order keeps repeating itself as long as we continue to rotate the alternator's shaft. (Figure below)

2. rotation phase sequence: 1-2-3.

Clockwise

3. However, if we reverse the rotation of the alternator's shaft (turn it counter-clockwise), the magnet will pass by the pole pairs in the opposite sequence. Instead of 1-2-3, we'll have 3-2-1. Now, winding 2's waveform will be leading 120o ahead of 1 instead of lagging, and 3 will be another 120o ahead of 2. (Figure below) 4. Three-phase Phasor Diagram

The phase voltages are all equal in magnitude but only differ in their phase angle. The three windings of the coils are connected together at points, a1, b1 and c1 to produce a common neutral connection for the three individual phases. Then if the red phase is taken as the reference phase each individual phase voltage can be defined with respect to the common neutral as. 5. Three-phase Voltage Equations

6. If the red phase voltage, VRN is taken as the reference voltage as stated earlier then the phase sequence will be R-Y-B so the voltage in the yellow phase lags VRN by 120o, and the voltage in the blue phase lags VYN also by 120o. But we can also say the blue phase voltage, VBN leads the red phase voltage, VRN by 120o. 7. One final point about a three-phase system. As the three individual sinusoidal voltages have a fixed relationship between each other of 120o they are said to be "balanced" therefore, in a set of balanced three phase voltages their phasor sum will always be zero as: Va + Vb + Vc = 0

So it may be concluded that the sum of the two wattmeter readings is the total power consumed in the 3 phase circuit(both for star or delta connections)