Three-Phase Power Systems

Course No: E04-038

Credit: 4 PDH

Manuel Gooding, P.E.

Continuing Education and Development, Inc.

P: (877) 322-5800
[email protected]

www.cedengineering.com
 Three-Phase Power Systems – E04-038

Table of Contents

THREE-PHASE SYSTEMS............................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 3
THREE-PHASE VOLTAGE .......................................................................................... 6
PHASE SEQUENCE ...................................................................................................... 7
Conventions used here ................................................................................................ 7
Analysis of phase sequence ........................................................................................ 7
BASIC CONNECTIONS ............................................................................................... 9
Introduction ................................................................................................................. 9
Wye and Delta Connections........................................................................................ 9
Definitions................................................................................................................. 10
Currents and voltages in Wye and Delta systems ..................................................... 10
Wye to wye, wye to delta, delta to wye and delta to delta connections.................... 11
POWER MEASUREMENTS IN THREE PHASE SYSTEMS ................................... 16
Transformers and Transformer Connections ................................................................ 17
Y connection ............................................................................................................. 18
Delta connection ....................................................................................................... 18
Delta and wye connections for transformer banks .................................................... 18
Delta-Delta connections ............................................................................................ 19
Phasor Nomenclature ................................................................................................ 19
Delta Wye connection ............................................................................................... 21
THREE PHASE CIRCUIT SYSTEMS ........................................................................ 22
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 22
Three Phase Systems Design Criteria ....................................................................... 23
Load Study: ............................................................................................................... 23
Overload and Short Circuit Study: ............................................................................ 24
Protective Device Selection ...................................................................................... 24
Arc Flash Design....................................................................................................... 25
Coordination Design ................................................................................................. 25
Examples ....................................................................................................................... 26

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 Three-Phase Power Systems – E04-038

INTRODUCTION
Most of the electrical energy used in the world is alternating current or AC. The value of
alternating current fluctuates between a maximum positive value and a minimum negative value
with a zero reference which is named neutral or ground. This current is a sinusoidal wave. When
only a single sine wave is generated, the electrical current is referred as single-phase current.

The other type of electrical energy used is DC current. Its magnitude is fixed with zero or ground
as refence. Typical values are 12V dc (car batteries) or other values (4.5V) used in electronic
devices like computers, etc.

DC or direct current is used mostly in small devices. There are some uses for DC in very high
voltage transmission line and in DC drives, which are DC motors driven by an electronic system
that allows variations of the motor speed by changing the DC voltage input to the motor.

DC in High voltage transmission lines is used by electrical companies in 500 KV and above.

Most of the AC power used is three phase power. This energy is produced in large generators
coupled to rotating turbines (steam, hydraulic, wind, etc.). See Figure 1 for a typical balanced
three phase waveform set.

Figure 1

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Three Phase alternating-current electrical energy is generated by three-phase generators and

transmitted over three-phase circuit systems and wiring. We can see a three-phase circuit as three
single-phase circuits consolidated into one circuit system with either three or four wires. Each one
of the phases or waves generated can be separated using two wires only. Using these single
waves, single-phase motors and other single-phase loads may be operated from a three-phase
circuit. In industrial operation or whenever it is available, three phase circuits are preferable to
use over single phase circuits. There are several reasons why three-phase is preferred to single-
phase for service in so many applications. These reasons are as follows:

1. For specific horsepower or KVA rating, physical size of the three-phase motor or generator is
smaller than that of the single-phase unit. The capacity of a three-phase generator or an induction
motor is about 150% of that of a single- phase machine of comparable frame size.

2.

• For a single-phase system:

o The power delivered by a single-phase circuit is pulsating. In Figure 2,

sinusoidal wave patterns of voltage, current and power are shown for a resistance
load. As the figure shows, the phase between the voltage and current is the same.

o This means that the power factor of this system is unity (power factor is the
cosine of the angle between voltage and current). At unity power factor, the
power is zero twice each cycle.

• For a three-phase system:

o The total power supplied to a balanced three-phase circuit is not a variable wave
but is a constant value.

o Adding the power for all phases together at any time, will create a constant value.

o Mathematically, the above can be easily proven.

o For balanced three phase circuit the addition at one point of all the three phase
voltages or all currents at every instant adds to zero. See Figure 3.

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2
Current
0 Voltage
1 10 19 28 37 46 55 64 73 82 91 100 109 118 127 136 145 154 163 172 181 Power
-2

-4

-6

-8

Figure 2

10

6 Phase 1 power
Phase 2 power
5
Phase 3 power
4 Total power
3

0
1 10 19 28 37 46 55 64 73 82 91 100 109 118 127 136 145 154 163 172 181

Figure 3

3. A balanced three-phase (with equal voltage between line wires) three-wire circuit uses only
75% of the copper required for a single-phase, two-wire circuit of the same kva, capacity,
voltage rating, length of circuit, and efficiency of transmission.

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THREE-PHASE VOLTAGE
A three-phase generator supplies a three-phase circuit with three separate voltages of the
same frequency and magnitude but 120 electrical degrees apart. In Figure 4 an
elementary a-c generator is shown with three conductors placed physically 120° apart.

Each small circle in the generator stator colored blue, yellow and red in Figure 4
represents a coil winding. The winding will wrap around the stator. Each circle has an
opposite circle of the same color representing the same winding. The large outside circle
in the figure represents the stator which is the non-moving component of the generator.

As the generator rotates, its stator windings will go through the magnetic field of the rotor
and an electrical current will be generated in the coils of the stator windings. The induced
voltages caused by this effect will be a three-phase voltage output produced by the a-c
generator. The three voltages are 120 electrical degrees apart, following the physical
separation of the windings. Each of the three windings wiring terminal is brought out
connecting to three separate single phase. Two wire circuits are available to tap the
generators produced current. The shown arrangement consists only of three single-phase
circuits, with their individual voltages 120° apart. Each circuit is connected to one wire
system.

Normally, generators have many coils for each winding system and their coil windings
are interconnected with only three (or possibly four) conductors furnished to supply a
three-phase circuit. Additionally, the rotor of the generator is not a physical magnet but
an electromagnet created by copper windings wrapped around the rotor core and
energized by an auxiliary circuit called the exciter. This type of generator is normally
called a synchronous generator.

As indicated above, only two standard connections are used in three-phase work to feed
systems used to connect single phase loads, such as motors, transformers, and other
devices. The three phase connections can be made in several ways, as discussed in later
sections of this course. The most common connections are the wye connection and the
delta connection.

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Figure 4

PHASE SEQUENCE
Conventions used here
Phase sequence is defined as the order in which the three generated electrical voltages or
currents rotate, as indicated before; each voltage is separated from the next generated
voltage by 120 degrees. We will assign subscript identification to the voltages as follows:
Blue = B, Yellow = Y and Red = R. The reference or zero point is called O
The voltage generated in the blue winding is called VB. The other voltages will then be
VY and VR. If we measure a voltage between the winding and neutral or zero level
(ground), the Voltage will be designated as VBO for voltage B, VYO and VRO for the other
two. In the same manner, the voltage between B and Y is VBY, between Y and R is VYR
and between R and B is VRB

Analysis of phase sequence

To see the angle difference and sequence you can start with voltage VBO. This voltage
starts rising at zero degrees as shown in the sine wave. As voltage VBO reaches 120
degrees, voltage VYO starts rising from zero degrees, meaning that VBO leads VYO by 120
degrees. The same applies between the other two voltages. The sequence in our figure is
BYR.
Understanding phase sequence is very important. For example, this is noted in one of the
most important events when two generating systems are interconnected. Obviously, both
systems must rotate in the same manner, just as if they were two gear boxes to be
interconnected. In a gearbox, the gears would be destroyed by trying to connect them

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 Three-Phase Power Systems – E04-038

when moving at different speed or sense of rotation. Electrically, phase differences in two
interconnecting systems would produce short circuit conditions.
The importance of phase sequence is evident in rotating equipment. Specially, connecting
rotating equipment, as in three phase motors. Motors need to rotate in the correct
direction to properly move coupled rotating equipment. The rotation of the phases is the
same as the rotation of the motor. Phasing of motors is executed before the motor is
connected to the rotating equipment to have proper equipment functioning.

Determination of phase sequencing can be done in several ways. The most basic manner
is to use an oscilloscope and look at the three wave forms checking the relative position
of each with respect to the other. A more practical and simple way is to use a phase
sequence indicator. The connection and sequence indication is shown in Figure 5. The
phase that follows the capacitor in rotation is the one with the light on.

B C

.
Figure 5

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BASIC CONNECTIONS
Introduction
As indicated in a previous chapter, the most basic connections in a three-phase system are
the delta and the wye connections; wye connections are also called star connections.
In a delta connection, there is no connected neutral and the three windings are connected
as shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9.
Wye connections have one common connection point which is normally connected to the
lowest potential point in the system, normally ground or zero reference voltage.

Wye and Delta Connections

The mathematical relationship of the voltages in a delta or wye connection can be

resolved using trigonometric relations. See Figure 6 and Figure 7.

D
O

β γ
B C

The center lines represent the voltage, all radiating from zero. The
voltage of point A is VOA. The voltage of point B is VOB. The voltage
of point C is VOC. Line AB represent the voltage between A and B.
Line BC represents the voltage between B and C. Line CA represents
the voltage between C and A.

Figure 6

With the above triangle of voltages, we can now find the equations that relate all these
voltages for both wye and delta connections.

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Definitions

The angle BAC is Alpha, the angle ABC is Beta, and the angle BCA is Gamma.
The angle BOA is 120 degrees because it is the phase difference between voltage VOA
and voltage VOB. The same reasoning applies to angle BOC and COA both these angles
are 120 degrees.

Currents in Delta systems

The first relationship that we want to find is the relationship between voltage between
line to line and line to neutral.
We extend line CO to point D. This point divides segment AB in half because line CD is
also bisector of angle gamma. Then we can write:

½ IAB = IBO cos 30, IAB = 2 IBO cos 30

Cos 30 = √3/2
IAB = 2IBO (√3/2)
Simplifying
IAB = IBO (√3) Equation 1
Or
IPH = √3 IL
IL= IPH/√3 Equation 2

Voltage between line to line is equal to 1.73 or 73% more than the voltage between line
to neutral.

This can be written as

IPH = 1.73 ILN Equation 3

IA
A
α

γ
B β
C
IB IPHASE
IC

Figure 7

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In any balanced wye system Iline or IL is equal to IPHASE. The sum of all the currents
entering the neutral is zero.
IL = IPHASE Same for IA, IB and IC Equation 4
For a balanced Delta system
IL = IPHASE √3 Equation 5
Same relationships can be established for voltages.

• VPHASE = VLINE in a delta system

• VPHASE = 1.73 VLINE In a wye system.

The Voltage VLINE in a wye system is usually referred as the line to neutral voltage.

Wye to wye, wye to delta, delta to wye and delta to delta connections
1. Wye to wye
Figure 8 shows a typical connection between a wye supply and a wye connected resistive
load. All the resistances in the load are equal and the supply is a 208 Volt Y connection.
All the resistors are 10 ohms and represent resistive heater loads.

R A

208V 10Ω
N T 10Ω
A O
IL 120V
10Ω

208V
S
A

Figure 8

Let’s calculate the voltage applied to the resistances.

VPHASE = 208V,
VLINE = VPHASE/√3,
VLINE = 208/√3 Volt,
VLINE = 120V

The current going into the neutral of the supply is zero. You can prove it by applying
Kirchhoff’s current law, which indicates that the total current flowing into a node is zero.
Since the loads are equal and the supply system is balanced, the currents across the
resistors are equal.

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The line current or IL is

IL = VL/R, Equation 6
IL = 120/10 = 12 A
The power at the one resistance will be
P = IL VL = 12(120) =1440VA.
This load is resistive. There is no phase difference between the current and voltage, the
VA value is in this case equal the to the value in watts.
The power dissipated by the resistor is also 1440 w
If the load was non-resistive, the power would be VL IL cos (θ) Where θ is the phase
angle between the voltage and the current.
As you know from AC circuits, the value of the cosine of θ is called the power factor.
The power for the whole load is 3 times the power for one section, when the loads are
balanced.
The total power for the whole load is the power taken by port AB + AC +BC.
The power for each of those is symmetrical thus the total power is three times the power
for one.
Let’s calculate the power for one section
P = IL VPH, Total = 3 IL VPH
VPH = VL/√3
P = IL VL/√3
PTotal = 3 (IL VL/√3)
PTotal = √3 IL VL Equation 7

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2. Delta to wye

A
A
R
208V

A O
T B 10Ω
208V
S

A
C
Figure 9
See Figure 9 above. In this case, the load current is equal to the line current.

The relation between the phase voltage and the load voltage can be found realizing that
the load voltage is the line voltage which is:

VPHASE = 208V,
VLINE = VPHASE/√3,
VLINE = 208/√3 Volt,
VLINE = 120V

Applying Ohm’s law, we find the line current, just as in the case above:

IL = VL/R,
IL = 120/10 = 12 A

Power calculations are identical to the above calculations:

The power for the whole load is 3 times the power for one section.
The total power for the whole load is the power taken by port AB + AC +BC.
The power for each of those is symmetrical thus the total power is three times the power
for one.
PTotal = 3 IL VPH
PTotal = √3 IL VL
Or
PTotal = (√3)12(120) = 2494.15 W

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3. Delta to Delta
See Figure 10

A IPH

208V 208V
10Ω

Figure 10

In this case the voltage across the resistor is three phase voltage and the load current is
calculated as follows:

IPH = VPH/R
IPH = 208/10 A
IPH = 20.8 A

Let’s calculate the power for one section

P = IPH VPH, PTotal = 3 IPH VPH
IPH = IL/√3, VL = VPH
P = (IL /√3) VL
PTOTAL = 3 (IL VL/√3)
PTOTAL = √3 IL VL
IL = √3 IPH = 36 A

We obtained the same result as that for the wye system.

If the system is not resistive, the current and voltage will be out of phase and the real or
resistive value of the line current will be IL cos (θ).
The relation becomes:

PTOTAL = √3 IL VL cos (θ) = 12,979.2 VA or Watts in this case because we have a

resistive load.
The same value can be obtained:
PTOTAL = 3 IPH VPH cos (θ)

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Example

For a Delta-Delta configuration, the following parameters are measured:

The measurements obtained from the maintenance group are:

Input current to the load.

• Leg A = 20 A with an angle of 25°
• Leg B = 20 A with an angle of 25°
• Leg C = 20 A with an angle of 25°
Voltage:
• The system is a delta 480V, ungrounded.

a. Calculate the power for the whole load.

b. Calculate the resistance value of the load.
c. What is the power factor of the load?

Solution:

First observing the data, we can see that the system is a balanced system as the currents
of each leg are equal.
Second, we know that the system is not resistive because the current is out of phase with
the voltage; that information indicates that there is a load with non-pure resistive
impedance. Maintenance does not tell us whether the angle is leading or lagging, and we
do not know if the system is capacitive or inductive.
The power for the whole load is

a. Total = √3 IL VL cos (θ)

Or substituting values
Total = (√3)20 (480) cos (25)
Total = 12548.4 W
The resistance value of the load can be calculated by performing some manipulations:
We know that the resistive value of one leg is the leg voltage divided by the resistive part
of the current on the leg.
The Value of the voltage leg is 480V,
The value of the leg current is the value of the line current divided by square root of
three.

Ileg = 20/√3 = 13.87A

The value of the Resistance is
R = V/(Ileg cos(θ))
R = 480/(13.8 cos(25))
c. R = 38.2 Ω

d. The power factor is cos (25) = .906

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POWER MEASUREMENTS IN THREE PHASE SYSTEMS

The real power or power in watts of a three-phase system can be measured using two watt
meters, known as the “Two Watt Meter Method”
This method can be used in the connections types explained in the previous sections.

A
A
+ + 20A
208V W1
- -
208V A
B
+ + 20A
208V W2
- -
C A
20A
Figure 11

Please refer to Figure 11for the analysis that follows.

Figure 11 presents the typical connections for a two-watt power measuring method. The
connections are for the power supplied from a three phase three wire system and
delivering load to a wye connected load.
The wattmeters internally have two separate set of coils:
o Potential coils
o Current coils

• The current coils are connected in series with two of the three line leads.
• The potential coil is connected:
o The positive pole interconnected between the two wattmeters, and to the
third supply wire.
o The negative pole is connected to the same phases as the current coils are
connected.

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1. When the system is balanced, the power factor is 1.0 and the voltages are equal, both
wattmeters will read the same value for power.
Assume that the power factor is:
• Lagging
• Less than 1.0
• More than .5
• Phase sequence ABC
Wattmeter W1 will read more than W2.
The total power for the system is W1 + W2
2. When the power factor is 0.5, wattmeter 2 will read zero; the total power will be what
wattmeter 1 reads.
When the power factor is less than 0.5, wattmeter 2 will read negative. To obtain the
correct readings, the polarity of the potential coils for wattmeter 2 must be reversed to
read a positive value.
The total power is still the algebraic addition of the two wattmeters; in this case the
positive number of the reading from wattmeter 1 must be subtracted form the number at
wattmeter 2.

Transformers and Transformer Connections

Transformers are one of the most useful and common electrical devices. In this course,
we will mainly refer to the power transformation applications.
Power transformers are mainly for conversion of electrical energy into a useable form, for
the customer, or for interconnection reasons in substations. Other uses include grounding
transformers, used for grounding schemes in ungrounded or open systems, protection
transformers such as PT or potential transformers, current transformers or CT, and other
instrument transformers.
Power transformers are normally three phase; however single phase transformers are
many times interconnected for three or two phase uses.
Some of the most used winding interconnections are presented below, as well as some
grounding requirements for transformers, and later, a brief introduction of three phase
transformer internal connections.
The main winding interconnections for single phase units presented here are:
Wye, delta, and zigzag.

First, we are going to use similar configurations as indicated above, this time applied to
transformer connection. We will see how the windings are interconnected, starting with
the wye connections.

• Wye connection is when one end of each winding is connected to a common point
called neutral. This connection is also called the star connection.
• Delta connection, sometimes identified as a D connection, is when the windings
are connected in series as to form a ring.
• Z-connection (zigzag) is a type of wye connection in which the windings are
interconnected to each other to form a wye.

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Power transformers normally have three types of windings, the primary, secondary and
the tertiary.
The primary and secondary windings are used as the main transformer windings and
serve to provide the bulk of transformation.
Benefits and characteristics of the three types of connections

Y connection
1. Preferred manner when a neutral is required
2. Used frequently for the highest voltages
3. Taps can be provided in the neutral for regulation using a less expensive tap
changer than the ones used for the normal winding
4. When using a Y connection in the primary, the secondary preferable should be
delta. The reason is that the
1. Delta connection provides ampere turn balance for the zero
sequence (related to fault) currents on the neutral and Y windings.
2. Without the delta connection zero sequence currents would create
a zero-sequence field in the transformer core (zero sequence
currents do not exist in a delta system, these currents only exist in
grounded or neutral connections).
3. If the core is of the three yoke type, for example the zero sequence
field would propagate to all the legs creating excessive heating.
4. For yokes of 5 legs of for shell type transformers, a current in a
ground fault condition could become so small that it would not be
detected by the protective relay
5. The delta connection requires √3 turns more than for a Y
connection for the same voltage

Delta connection
• It is better in large transformers with low voltage and large currents both
for step up and step down transformers in the high current side of the
transformer. An application could be GSU or generator step up
transformer in a generation plant.
• Currents called triple harmonics will flow around the ring in the delta
connection; these currents are part of the magnetization currents that are
required to prevent magnetization distortion in the core. Y connection
would require a return path for the neutral connected to the winding
• In Y connected transformers a tertiary winding is sometimes used to
prevent the above triple harmonic problem

More differences could be provided, but that information would be more appropriate for a
transformer course due to the complexity of its explanation.

Delta and wye connections for transformer banks

Presented here, are the delta-delta and delta-wye connections for a bank. The connections
could also be similarly done as wye-wye and wye-delta.

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Delta-Delta connections
The connection in Figure 12 shows the windings connected in series both for the primary
and for the secondary of the bank. This connection is called delta-delta or Δ Δ
connection. It is the normal order in the connection the first word to be the primary and
the second word the secondary. In this case both primary and secondary are the same.
The connection in Figure 12 is a common connection used in industry to supply motors
and motor control centers that do not require neutrals.
In the past, the primary system for this type of application was 2400V; however, the trend
is to increase the voltages in the industrial installations to save copper. Since a larger
voltage can carry the same current using a smaller copper gauge, using a larger voltage
reduces the size of conductor diameter and thus the cost. At this level of voltage (called
medium voltage) the insulation cost is about the same for 2400 V than for 4160V.
Usually this voltage level is referred as a 5 KV level of insulation.
The remaining observation is on the capacity of the bank. If one unit is 75KVA, the total
bank capacity would be 225KVA (75 time 3).
There is a phase displacement between the primary current and the secondary current. In
the connections shown in Figure 12 the displacement is 180 electrical degrees.
The symbol used to indicate this displacement is shown in Table 1 below.

Phasor Nomenclature

Winding Connection Letter designation

High Voltage Delta D
Star Y
Interconnected Star Z
Low Voltage Delta d
Star y
Interconnected Star z
Phase displacement - Group Letter designation
Degrees
0 I O
180 II 6
-30 III I
+30 IV II
Table 1

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This transformer is connected Dd6. See Table 1 for explanation.

4160 V
A B C
4160 V 4160 V

4160 V 4160 V 4160 V

T1 T2 T3

480 V 480 V 480 V

480 V 480 V

x y z
Figure 12 480 V

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Delta Wye connection

The connection below is a delta primary. See Figure 13. All the windings are in series
forming a ring. The secondary windings are connected as a star or wye connection.
13.8KV
13.8KV 13.8KV

T1 T2 T3

69KV 69KV 119.5KV

69KV
Figure 13

For example, the phase for this transformer is DyI. To determine the angle between
primary and secondary, go to Table 1 to find the meaning of the letters.
D is primary delta (high voltage), y is the secondary (low voltage) and I is the phase
angle which is in this case Group 3, -30 degrees.
Additional points of interest to this configuration are:

• Connection well adapted for step up transformers

• The voltage ratio is increased by the turns ratio and the square root of three or
1.73
• Insulation requirements for the secondary winding are reduced using a delta
connection
• The coil voltage is only 58% of the line voltage (58% is equivalent to the inverse
of square root of 3).
• Note that the phase to phase voltage is not 69KV, it is 119.5 KV

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THREE PHASE CIRCUIT SYSTEMS

Introduction

Three phase systems are usually represented by single lines that depict the three wires.
The system thus presented is called single line diagram.
Figure 14 below shows a typical three phase system shown with a single line diagram.

A 8
X

Figure 14

The symbols used in the above diagram are

1 = Air switch
2 = Fuse
3 = Transformer
4 = Connecting line
5 = Removable symbol
6 = Breaker
7 = Bus (metal conducting bars)
8 = Load breaker

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The components above can be connected in many ways.

In a system design, the engineer will use the components above to feed the loads,
connecting it to the supply systems, and placing the protection devices to comply with the
electrical codes and the system protection requirements.

The design of a three-phase system is beyond the scope of this course, but an introduction
to basic principles, such as electrical safety and protection, will be presented below.

Three Phase Systems Design Criteria

When designing an electrical system, the engineer must take into consideration that the
system is suitably reliable, flexible, economical, has ease of maintenance, and is safe. The
following factors are of basic importance:

• Building or facility function (small building, large industry, cogeneration facility)

• Needs and requirements of the client
• Knowledge of the power company requirements and electrical characteristics such
as frequency, voltages, power factor requirements, installation of feeder costs, etc.
• The system basic loads
• Possible expansion plans or needs

After the system basic requirements are established, one of the engineer’s first tasks is to
sketch a single line diagram. This diagram will be the basis of the following electrical
studies and settings:

• Load study
• Overload and short circuit study
• Protective device selection and settings
• Arc Flash design
• Coordination design

Load Study:

This study will determine the current and voltage characteristics of all the connected
components of the system. It will also determine the amount of power used by each item
of electrical equipment, its characteristics such as power factor voltage, etc., and the
electrical location of the electrical equipment and how it is connected to the network.
This will be basis for the design of the rest of the system, including protection settings
and size of protective components.

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Some data on typical load density could be used

• Fluorescent lighting at 3 to 6 VA per sq. ft.

• Incandescent lights at 6 to 12 VA per sq. ft.
• Air conditioning at 4 to 10 VA per sq. ft.

Other loads are determined by the magnitude of motor and heating loads.

Overload and Short Circuit Study:

After the one line diagram is completed, it should include all additional generation,
capacitors for power factor correction, wiring, switchgear, and protective devices as well
as all the loads including motor control centers and motors.
Additionally, data from the supply such as utility contribution and generators data (X/R
ratio) should be known.
The best way to perform the calculations is to use the proper tools; there are many
software manufacturers that can provide these tools. The software requires the input of all
the information from the single line diagram. Revision by a Professional Engineer is
recommended before accepting the results that the software produces. The methods and
mathematical justification of Short Circuit calculations are beyond the scope of this
course.

Protective Device Selection

Initially, the starting point for specification of the Protective devices is the selection of
the size and type of protection equipment using various criteria. One of the most
important criteria is the protection of the conductors and equipment. This is done using
the protection requirements indicated in the National Electrical Code for lower voltages
and the National Electrical Safety Code for the utility side.
Additionally, the results of the Short circuit calculations are used to set up the protection
of the protection devices such as breakers, protection relays, and fuses. Additionally,
revision of cable and conductor sizes is appropriate at this point. Initially, two basic
needs, current and voltage, determine the conductor sizes (compliance with the National
Electrical Code (NFPA 70) which also includes voltage drop requirements.

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 Three-Phase Power Systems – E04-038

Arc Flash Design

The Arc Flash Studies are necessary for protection of personnel against accidental burns
that could be caused by unexpected arc flashes occurring within electrical equipment
protection cabinets and devices. The compliance and guidance documents are NFPA 70E
and OSHA 1910 Arc Flash Warning Regulations and Standards. The Short Circuit Study
information and input data is used to perform the Arc Flash Calculations. The results of
this study provide information to label the cabinets with information that allows the
operators and maintenance to proceed in correctly selecting the personal protection
equipment and to determine if it is required. Use of PPE (Personal protection equipment)
is included in the requirements wherever they are specified.

Coordination Design

This study defines which protection device should open the circuit in case of a fault. The
purpose of this study is to set protection boundaries and open only the protection device
needed to isolate a fault without disturbing the rest of the electrical system. A very simple
case would be when a main breaker does not open because a lower branch circuit breaker
clears the fault. In this case, the other branch circuits that depend on the main breaker do
not lose power. See Figure 14 above. Breaker A would open to clear fault X, none of the
other breakers would open in this case. If breaker A is not coordinated correctly, the main
breaker would eventually open, leaving the system of Figure 14 with no power.

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 Three-Phase Power Systems – E04-038

Examples
1.

A
A
R
480V

A O
T B 20Ω
480V
S

A
C
Figure 15
Given
VPHASE = 480V,
R = 20 Ohm.

Calculate
VLINE
IL
IPHASE
PTotal

Calculations
VLINE = VPHASE/√3,
VLINE = 480/√3 Volt,
VLINE = 277V

Applying Ohm’s law, we find the line current, just as in the case above:

IL = VL/R,
IL = 277/10 = 27.7 A
IPHASE = IL = 27.7A
Power calculations

PTotal = 3 IL VPH = 3(27.7A) (277) = 23018.7 VA or W because the load is resistive

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 Three-Phase Power Systems – E04-038

2.

A IPH

4160 V
15Ω

Figure 16
Given
VPHASE = 4160V,
R = 15 Ohm

Calculate
VLINE
IL
IPHASE
PTotal
If the loads where each of an impedance of 15 Ohm at 45degrees lagging, calculate IPHASE

Calculations
VLINE = VPHASE

VPHASE = 4160Volt,
IPHASE = VPHASE/R
IPHASE = 4160V/15 Ohm
IPHASE = 277.3 A
ILINE = IPHASE √3
ILINE = 277.3 A√3
ILINE = 480.4 A

For an impedance of 15 OHMS 45 degrees lagging, the impedance is inductive.

Remembering the single-phase calculations, using Ohms Law we calculate:

IPHASE = VPHASE/Z
IPHASE = 4160/(15|45) = 277.3|-45 (Polar notation)

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 Three-Phase Power Systems – E04-038

Expressed in complex rectangular notation:

IPHASE = 195.9-j195.9 (Rectangular notation)

As you might remember it means that:

The real value is 195.9 A
The imaginary value is -195.9 A inductive.

3.

If a transformer is given with the notation Dy6

What does that mean?

Looking at Table 1:

• The letter D means that the primary or high voltage winding is connected in a
Delta.
• The second letter is y, it means that the secondary or low voltage winding is
connected in a Y or star connection.
• The third symbol is 6; looking at the table the 6 indicated that the phase shift
between the windings is 180 degrees.

© Manuel Gooding, 2022 28