MODULE 11 THREE PHASE AC POWER

Since the phase impedances of balanced star or delta loads contain equal currents, the phase
power is one-third of the total power. In delta connected loads, the phase power and total power are
the following:

P = V x I cos  Pa, Pb, and Pc are power per phase

Three phase power is

PT = Pa + Pb + Pc

In balanced load Pa = Pb = Pc
PT =3 x Pa
PT = 3 V x I cos 

Since the line current IL = 3 x I in balanced delta connected loads and VL = V, then the total power
PT is
PT = 3 VL IL cos 

In star connected impedances, the formulas are the following:

P = V x I cos 
PT = 3 V x I cos 

VL = 3 x V ; IL = I  ,
PT = 3 VL IL cos 

Since the total power equations for delta and star-connected loads are identical, then the total power
in any three-phase load is PT = 3 VL IL cos  where  is the angle on the load impedance or the angle
on an equivalent impedance in the case where several balanced loads are served from the same
system.
 The total volt-amperes ST and the total reactive power QT are given by the following equations.

ST = 3 VL IL QT = 3 VL IL sin 
ST = 3 V x I QT = 3 V x I sin 

11.2 Power in Unbalanced Three-Phase Loads

The total power equation in unbalanced three phase loads whether delta or star-connected loads
is obtained by getting the sum of each phase power of the load. In formula PT = Pa + Pb + Pc where Pa,
Pb, and Pc are phase powers.

11.3 Wattmeter Method

It is always possible to measure the total power in any system by inserting wattmeters in the
circuits. In a three-phase star connected system, three wattmeters can be used with current coils in the
line wires and the potential coils across the respective line to neutral phases. Three wattmeters can
also be used in the delta-connected system inserted in each system inserted in each phase. The
schemes are seldom used today and replaced by a two-wattmeter method to measure the total power
of the wye or delta-connected three-wire system.

Wattmeters and Four-Wire Star Loads

A wattmeter is an instrument with a potential coil and a current coil so arranged that its deflection
is proportional to P = VI cos  where  is the angle between the voltage and the current. A 4 -wire star
connected load requires three (3) wattmeters.

The total power delivered to the three-phase wye – connected load with neutral connection can
be measured with three wattmeters as shown in the figure. The sum of the three wattmeter readings
therefore equals the total power consumed by the load as show in the following equation.
 WA = VAN IA cos  vAN - IA
WB = VBN IB cos  VBN – IB
WC = VCN IC cos  VCN - IC
PT = WA + WB + WC

Two Wattmeter Method

A more convenient method, whether the three-phase load is balanced or not, makes use of the
two wattmeters connected so that the current and potential elements register line quantities.

The total power in a three-phase, three-wire load is the sum of the two wattmeter readings
connected in any two lines with their potential connected to the third line. The diagrams shown in the
figure below illustrate three combinations wattmeter connections.

W1 = VAC IA cos  VAC - IA

W2 = VBC IB cos  VBC - IB
 W1 = VBA IB cos  VBA - IB
W2 = VCA IC cos  VCA - IC

W1 = VAB IA cos  VAB - IA

W2 = VCB IC cos  VCB - IC

Two Wattmeter Method Applied to Balanced Loads

For the given diagram in the figure below, let us assume the following condition:
A lagging current with phase angle  and ABC sequence.

W1 = VAB IA cos  VAB - IA ;  VAB - IA =  + 30o

W2 = VCB IC cos  VCB - IC ;  VCB - IC =  - 30o

 - angle on the impedance

Let W1 = VL IL cos (  + 30o) or VL IL cos (30+ ) and W2 = VL IL cos ( - 30) or VL IL cos (30- )
W1 + W2 = 3 VL IL cos  and W2 -W1 = VL IL sin 

Where: W1 and W2 are wattmeter readings

𝑊 −𝑊
tan 𝜃 = √3 ( 2 1 )
𝑊 +𝑊 2 1

For ABC Sequence

𝑊𝐴 − 𝑊𝐵 𝑊𝐵 − 𝑊𝐶 𝑊𝐶 − 𝑊𝐴
tan 𝜃 = √3 ( ) = √3 ( ) = √3 ( )
𝑊𝐴 + 𝑊𝐵 𝑊𝐵 + 𝑊𝐶 𝑊𝐶 + 𝑊𝐴

For CBA Sequence

𝑊𝐵 − 𝑊𝐴 𝑊𝐶 − 𝑊𝐵 𝑊𝐴 − 𝑊𝐶
tan 𝜃 = √3 ( ) = √3 ( ) = √3 ( )
𝑊𝐵 + 𝑊𝐴 𝑊𝐶 + 𝑊𝐵 𝑊𝐴 + 𝑊𝐶

Sample Problems

1. A 3 phase 3 wire 110 V ABC system supplies a delta connection of 3 equal impedances of
5∟45o. Determine the power per phase and the total power (S, P, Q)
2. A three phase four-wire 208 ABC system serves a balanced star-connected load with
impedances of 20∟-30o. Find the power per phase and the total power (S, P, Q)
 3. A 3 phase, 1500 W, unity p.f. heating unit and a 5 Hp induction motor with a full load efficiency
of 80% and a pf of 0.85 are served from the same 3 phase 3 wire 208 V system. Find the
magnitude of the line current for rated output from the 5 Hp motor.
4. Three identical impedances of 12∟30o in a delta connection and 3 identical impedances of
5∟45o in a star connection are on the same 3 phase 3 wire, 208 V ABC system. Find the total
power.
5. A three phase 120-volt circuit has a phase sequence of ABC and delivers power to a group of
delta connected impedances whose values are ZAB = 10 + j 0 Ω, ZBC = 5 + j 8.66 Ω, and ZCA =
8.66 + j 5 Ω. Calculate the total power (S, P, Q).
6. A 3 phase, 3 wire, 100 V, ABC system supplies a balanced delta connected load with
impedances of 20 45o Ω. Find the wattmeter readings when the 2-wattmeter is applied.
7. The two-wattmeter method is applied to a 3 phase, 3-wire, 100 V ABC system with the meters
in lines B and C, WB = 836 W, WC =224 W. Find the impedance of the balanced delta
connected load.

Self-Assessment Problems
1. Three identical impedances of 10∟53.1o ohms are connected in delta to a three-phase three-
wire 240-volt ABC system. Find the line currents and the total power.
2. A balanced star load with impedances of 6∟45o ohms is connected to a three-phase, four-
wire, 208-volt, ABC system. Find the line currents, the neutral current, the power per phase
and the total power (S, P, Q).
3. A 50 Hp induction motor with a full load efficiency of 85% and a power factor of 0.80 is
connected to a three-phase, 480-volt system. Find the equivalent star connected impedance
which can replace this motor.
4. A 460- volt three-phase source supplies a balanced load of 200 kW at a lagging power factor
of 0.707, and the two wattmeters are properly connected to measure the total power. Calculate
a) line currents, b) reading of the wattmeters.
5. In a balanced 230-volt three-phase circuit two wattmeters are connected to indicate power. If
the readings are 8140 W and -2980 W, calculate the power factor and the line currents.