Three Phase Circuit

Ground Studies Department

Flying School

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 1

 Power in an AC Circuit
• Due to the behavior of voltage and currents, especially when
subjected to these components, power quantity comes in
different forms.

There are 3 forms of powers in AC circuits. They are

• Active power or True power or Real power
• Reactive power
• Apparent power

• True Power OR Active power or Real Power

The actual amount of power being used, or dissipated, in a
circuit is called true power, and it is measured in watts
(symbolized by the capital letter P, as always).

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 2

 Power in an AC Circuit
• Reactive Power
Reactive loads such as inductors and capacitors dissipate zero
power, yet the fact that they drop voltage and draw current
gives the deceptive impression that they actually do dissipate
power.
• This “phantom power” is called reactive power, and it is
measured in a unit called Volt-Amps-Reactive (VAR), rather
than watts.
• The mathematical symbol for reactive power is (unfortunately)
the capital letter Q.
• The value of this reactive power can be negative or positive
depends on the load power factor.
• This is because inductive load consumes the reactive power
while capacitive load generates the reactive power
11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 3
 Power in an AC Circuit
• Apparent Power
• The combination of reactive power and true power is
called apparent power, and it is the product of a circuit’s
voltage and current, without reference to phase angle.
• Apparent power is measured in the unit of Volt-
Amps (VA) and is symbolized by the capital letter S.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 4

 Power in an AC Circuit
• The Power Triangle

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 5

 Power in an AC Circuit
• Power Factor
• The power factor is the cosine angle between the
voltage and current. The power factor can be expressed
in terms of the above discussed power forms. Consider
the power triangle in above figure in which power factor
is the ratio of active power to apparent power. Power
factor defines the efficiency of the circuit.
• Power factor (PF) = (Active power in watts)/(Apparent
power in volt amps)
• PF = VI cos ϕ / VI
• PF = cos ϕ
11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 6
 Power in an AC Circuit

• Resistive/
• Reactive Load

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 7

 Three Phase Circuit
Polyphase System is a combination of two or more than
two voltages having same magnitude and frequency but
displaced from each other by an equal electrical angle.

As poly means, many (more than one) and phase means

windings or circuits.

Each of them has a single alternating voltage of the same

magnitude and frequency.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 8

 Three Phase Circuit

However, the above equation does not hold good for

the two-phase system where the voltages are displaced
by an angle of 90 degrees electrical.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 9

 Three Phase Circuit
• Single-phase systems are employed for the operation of
almost all the domestic and commercial applications.
• For examples – Fans, Televisions, Refrigerators,
Washing machines, Mixer-grinder, Computers, Exhaust
Fans, Lamps, Electric Toasters, Electric Irons, etc.
• But the single-phase system has its limitations in the
field of generation, transmission, distribution and
industrial applications.
• Thus, because of such limitations, the single-phase
system is replaced by Polyphase System.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 10

 Three Phase Circuit
• Polyphase or we can say Three Phase System is
universally adopted for a generation, transmission and
distribution of electric power because of its practical
utility and various advantages.

• The polyphase system may be a two-phase system,

three-phase system or six-phase system. But mainly the
three-phase system is used for all practical purposes.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 11

 Three Phase Circuit

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 12

 Three Phase Circuit

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 13

 Three Phase Circuit
• Phase Sequence or Phase rotation
• This is the order in which voltage waveform reaches their
respective peak values. Achieved by rotor rotation

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 14

 Three Phase Circuit
• RYB, YBR, and BRY OR 1-2-3
• This order of attaining maximum voltage shows a
Positive phase sequence which rotates in a clockwise
direction

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 15

 Three Phase Circuit
• RYB, YBR, and BRY OR 1-2-3
• This order of attaining maximum voltage shows a
Positive phase sequence which rotates in a clockwise
direction

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 16

 Three Phase Circuit
• RBY, BYR, and YRB OR 3-2-1 shows Negative
phase sequence or Negative phase rotation
which rotates in the anti-clockwise direction

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 17

 Three Phase Circuit
• Phase Sequence or Phase rotation

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 18

 Three Phase Circuit
• Advantages of 3 Phase Over Single Phase System

• Higher Rating
The rating, i.e. the output of a three-phase machine is nearly 1.5 times
the rating (output) of a single-phase machine of the same size.
• Constant Power
In single-phase circuits, the power delivered is pulsating. Even when
the voltage and current are in phase, the power is zero twice in each
cycle. Whereas, in the polyphase system, the power delivered is
almost constant when the loads are in a balanced condition.
• Power Transmission Economics
The three-phase system requires only 75% of the weight of conducting
material of that required by the single-phase system to transmit the
same amount of power over a fixed distance at a given voltage

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 19

 Three Phase Circuit
• Superiority of 3 Phase Induction Motors
The three phase induction motors have a wide field of
applications in the industries because of the following
advantages are given below.
• 1. Three-phase induction motors are self-
starting whereas the single-phase induction motor is not
self-starting. This means the 1 –phase motor has no
starting torque and hence it needs some auxiliary means
to start at the initial stage.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 20

 Three Phase Circuit
• The Induction Motor is an asynchronous motor as they
do not run at a synchronous speed. The Single Phase
Induction motor work on the 1 phase supply power and
is not self-starting.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 21

 Three Phase Circuit
• 2. The three Phase Induction motors have higher power
factor and efficiency than that of a single-phase
induction motor.
• Size and Weight of alternator
The 3 Phase Alternator is small in size and light in weight
as compared to a single-phase alternator.
• Requirement of Copper and Aluminium
3 Phase system requires less copper and aluminium for
the transmission system in comparison to a single-phase
transmission system.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 22

 Three Phase Circuit
• Frequency of Vibration
In 3 phase motor, the frequency of vibrations is less as
compared to single-phase motor because in single-phase the
power transferred is a function of current and varies
constantly.
• Dependency
A single-phase load can be efficiently fed by a 3 phase load or
system, but 3 phase system cannot depend or feed by a
single-phase system.
• Torque
A uniform or constant torque is produced in a 3 phase system,
whereas in a single-phase system pulsating torque is
produced.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 23

 Three Phase Circuit
• Advantages of 3 Phase Over Single Phase System

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 24

 Three Phase Circuit
• In a three-phase circuit, there are two types of
connections.
• One is known as Star Connection, and the other one is
Delta Connection.
• A star connection has a common or a star point to which
all the three terminals are connected forming a star
shape. Some call it “Y” “Wye” configuration

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 25

 Three Phase Circuit

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 26

 Three Phase Circuit
• In star connection, there is four wire, three wires are phase wire
and fourth is neutral which is taken from the star point. Star
connection is preferred for long distance power transmission
because it is having the neutral point. In this we need to come to the
concept of balanced and unbalanced current in power system.
• In star connection, the line voltage is √3 times of phase voltage.
Line voltage is the voltage between two phases in three phase
circuit and phase voltage is the voltage between one phase to the
neutral line.
• And the current is same for both line and phase

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 27

 Three Phase Circuit
• In delta connection, all the three terminals are connected
together forming a closed loop. In this, there is no
common or neutral point, and it is used for power
transmission for short distances.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 28

 Three Phase Circuit
• In delta connection, there is three wires alone and no
neutral terminal is taken. Normally delta connection is
preferred for short distance due to the problem of
unbalanced current in the circuit.
• In the load station, ground can be used as neutral path if
required.
• In delta connection, the line voltage is the same as that
of phase voltage. And the line current is √3 times of
phase current.
•

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 29

 Three Phase Circuit
• But the power is independent of the circuit arrangement
of the three phase system. The net power in the circuit
will be same in both star and delta connection. The
power in three phase circuit can be calculated from the
equation below,

• Since, there is three phases, so the multiple of 3 is made

in the normal power equation and the PF is power factor.
Power factor is a very important factor in three phase
system and some times due to certain error, it is
corrected by using capacitors.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 30

 Three Phase Circuit

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 31

 Three Phase Circuit

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 32

 Three Phase Circuit

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 33

 Three Phase Circuit

• The three-phase transformer is connected in fours ways.

1. Star Primary – Star Secondary
2. Delta Primary – Delta Secondary
3. Delta Primary – Star Secondary
4. Star Primary – Delta Secondary
•
the choice of connections depends on the various factor.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 34

 Three Phase Circuit

• Why three phase?

• Not four, five or six

• If we can produce a six phase

• We can get six time power

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 35

 Three Phase Circuit

• But this will

• cost double material

• Increase size and weight
• Six phase transformer
• Increase the number of conductor for transmission
• Special tower of significant height

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 36

 Three Phase Circuit

• Complex system which is prone to fault

• Increase in substation equipment like CB, switches
• Increase in maintenance cost
• Consumers will have to get six phase inductor motors,
large space and other equipments

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 37

 Three Phase Circuit

• So higher phase

• is not required
• Can’t be justify
• Complex system
• expensive
• Maintenance cost …Down time
• Three phase is the optimum choice

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 38

 Balanced and Unbalance System
• In a balanced 3 phase systems

• Wave form is perfectly sinusoidal equal magnitude and

phase shift of 1200
• Voltage are equal and are 1200 phase different
• Sum of the voltages equal Zero

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 39

 Balanced and Unbalance System
• In a balanced 3 phase systems

• The load in each phase are equal

• Current flowing through each phase are equal
• No current flows through the neutral so neutral not
needed
• Power loss is very low or not present.

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 40

 Balanced and Unbalance System
• 3 phase unbalance system

• As a result of unbalance winding of the 3 phase

• Unequal load

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 41

 Balanced and Unbalance System
• 3 phase unbalance system

• Characteristics
• Wave form are disturbed in terms of magnitude and
phase angle
• Voltage are not equal
• Current flowing through each phase are not equal
• Current flows through the neutral so neutral is needed
• Power loss is much which produces heat

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 42

 3 Phase balanced Calculations
• Ex 1
• Three identical resistive loads of 50 Ohms are connected
in star to a 400v supply
Determine
a) Phase voltage,
b) Phase current and Line current
c) The apparent power of the load

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 43

 3 Phase balanced Calculations

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 44

 3 Phase balanced Calculations
• Ex 1.1
• Three identical resistive loads of 50 Ohms are connected
in delta to a 400v supply
Determine
a) The Phase voltage
b) Phase current and Line current
c) The apparent power of the load

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 45

 3 Phase balanced Calculations

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 46

 Three Phase Circuit
• Ex 2
• Three identical resistive loads of 25 Ohms are connected
in star to a 415v supply
Determine
a) The Phase voltage
b) Phase current and Line current
c) The apparent power of the load

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 47

 Three Phase Circuit

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 48

 Three Phase Circuit
• Ex 2.1
• Three identical resistive loads of 25 Ohms are connected
in delta to a 415v supply
Determine
a) The Phase voltage
b) Phase current and Line current
c) The apparent power of the load

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 49

 Three Phase Circuit

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 50

 Three Phase Circuit
• Ex 5.1

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 51

 Three Phase Circuit
• Addition Ex

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 52

 Three Phase Circuit
• Converting from Star resistor configuration to
delta configuration

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 53

 Three Phase Circuit
• Ex 6.1

11/11/24 FS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 54