Solis, Deveen P.

Electrical-2C

DELTA CONNECTION

What is Delta Connection (Δ)?

Delta or Mesh Connection (Δ) System is also known as Three Phase Three Wire System (3-Phase 3 Wire)
and it is the most preferred system for AC power transmission while for distribution, Star connection is
generally used.

(Star Connection is obtained by connecting together similar ends of the three coils, either “Starting” or
“Finishing”. The other ends are joined to the line wires. The common point is called the neutral or Star
Point, which is represented by N.)

In Delta (also denoted by Δ) system of interconnection, the starting ends of the three phases or coils are
connected to the finishing ends of the coil. Or the starting end of the first coil is connected to the
finishing end of the second coil and so on (for all three coils) and it looks like a closed mesh or circuit as
shown here

In more clear words, all three coils are connected in series to form a close mesh or circuit. Three wires
are taken out from three junctions and the all outgoing currents from junction assumed to be positive.
In Delta connection, the three windings interconnection looks like a short circuit, but this is not true, if
the system is balanced, then the value of the algebraic sum of all voltages around the mesh is zero in
Delta connection.

When a terminal is open in Δ, then there is no chance of flowing currents with basic frequency around
the closed mesh.

Good to Remember: In Delta configuration, at any instant, the EMF value of one phase is equal to the
resultant of the other two phases EMF values but in the opposite direction.

Voltage, Current and Power Values in Delta Connection (Δ)

Now we will find the values of Line current, Line Voltage, Phase Current, Phase Voltages and Power in
three phase Delta AC system.

Line Voltages (VL) and Phase Voltages (VPh) in Delta Connection

It is seen in fig 2 that there is only one phase winding between two terminals (i.e. there is one phase
winding between two wires). Therefore, in Delta Connection, the voltage between (any pair of) two lines
is equal to the phase voltage of the phase winding which is connected between two lines.

Since the phase sequence is R → Y → B, therefore, the direction of voltage from R phase towards Y phase
is positive (+), and the voltage of R phase is leading by 120°from Y phase voltage. Likewise, the voltage of
Y phase is leading by 120° from the phase voltage of B and its direction is positive from Y towards B.

If the line voltage between;

Line 1 and Line 2 = VRYLine 2 and Line 3 = VYBLine 3 and Line 1 = VBR

Then, we see that VRY leads VYB by 120° and VYBleads VBR by 120°.

Let’s suppose,

VRY = VYB = VBR = VL …………… (Line Voltage)

Then

VL = VPH

I.e. in Delta connection, the Line Voltage is equal to the Phase Voltage.
Line Currents (IL) and Phase Currents (IPh) in Delta Connection

It will be noted from the below (fig-2) that the total current of each Line is equal to the vector difference
between two phase currents in Delta connection flowing through that line. i.e.;

Current in Line 1= I1 = IR – IB

Current in Line 2 =I2 = IY – IR

Current in Line 3 =I3 = IB – IY

The current of Line 1

can be found by
determining the
vector
difference between IR and IB and we can do that by increasing the IB Vector in reverse, so that, IRand IB
makes a parallelogram. The diagonal of that parallelogram shows the vector difference of IR and IB which
is equal to current in Line 1= I1. Moreover, by reversing the vector of IB, it may indicate as (-IB),
therefore, the angle between IR and -IB (IB, when reversed = -IB) is 60°. If,

IR = IY = IB = IPH …. The phase currents

Then;

The current flowing in Line 1 would be;

IL or I1 = 2 x IPH x Cos (60°/2)

= 2 x IPH x Cos 30°

= 2 x IPH x (√3/2) …… Since Cos 30° = √3/2

IL= √3 IPH

i.e. In Delta Connection, The Line current is √3 times of Phase Current.

Similarly, we can find the reaming two Line currents as same as above. i.e.,

I2 = IY – IR … Vector Difference = √3 IPH

I3 = IB – IY … Vector difference = √3 IPH

As, all the Line current are equal in magnitude i.e.

I1 = I2 = I3 = IL

Hence

IL = √3 IPH

It is seen from the fig above that;

The Line Currents are 120° apart from each otherLine currents are lagging by 30° from their
corresponding Phase CurrentsThe angle Ф between line currents and respective line voltages is (30°+Ф),
i.e. each Line current is lagging by (30°+Ф) from the corresponding line voltage.

Power in Delta Connection

We know that the power of each phase;

Power / Phase = VPH x IPH x CosФ

And the total power of three phases;

Total Power = P = 3 x VPH x IPH x CosФ ….. (1)

We know that the values of Phase Current and Phase Voltage in Delta Connection;

IPH = IL /√3 ….. (From IL = √3 IPH)

VPH = VL

Putting these values in power eq……. (1)

P = 3 x VL x ( IL/√3) x CosФ …… (IPH = IL / /√3)

P = √3 x√3 x VL x ( IL/√3) x CosФ …{ 3 = √3x√3 }

P = √3 x VLx IL x CosФ …

Hence proved;

Power in Delta Connection,

P = 3 x VPH x IPH x CosФ …. or

P = √3 x VL x IL x CosФ

Where Cos Φ = Power factor = the phase angle between Phase Voltage and Phase Current (not between
Line current and line voltage).

Good to Remember:

In both Star and Delta Connections, The total power on balanced load is same.

I.e. total power in a Three Phase System = P = √3 x VL x IL x CosФ

Good to know:

Balanced System is a system where:

All three phase voltages are equal in magnitude

All phase voltages are in phase by each other i.e. 360°/3 = 120

°All three phase Currents are equal in magnitude

All phase Currents are in phase by each other i.e. 360°/3 = 120°

A three phase balanced load is a system in which the load connected across three phases are identical.