Polyphase Circuits

(Three-Phase
Circuits)
A polyphase system is basically an ac system composed of a certain
number of single-phase ac systems having the same frequency and
operating in sequence. Each phase of a polyphase system (i.e., the
phase of each single-phase ac system) is displaced from the next by a
certain angular interval. In any polyphase system, the value of the
angular interval between each phase depends on the number of phases
in the system. This course covers the most common type of polyphase
system: the three-phase system.
Advantages of Polyphase System over Single-Phase System:

1. Polyphase machines like motors, generators, and transformers are simpler, cheaper,
and more efficient

2. Polyphase transmission lines can deliver more power for a given weight and cost

3. Voltage regulation of polyphase lines is inherently better

 Three-Phase System
It is an interaction of three single phase Three primary reasons why three-phase systems are
systems, whose voltage waves, though important: (a.) nearly all electric power is generated
similar in amplitude and frequency are and distributed in three-phase at the operating
displaced 120 electrical degrees apart frequency of 60 Hertz (or ω = 377 rad. sec. ⁄ ) here in
as shown in the Figure. our country and 50 Hertz (or ω = 314 rad. sec. ⁄ ) in
some other parts of the world, when one-phase or two-
phase inputs are required, they are taken from the
three-phase system rather than generated
independently; (b.) the instantaneous power in a three-
phase system can be constant (not pulsating), this
results in uniform power transmission and less vibration
of three-phase machines; (c.) for the same amount of
power, the three-phase system is more economical
than the single-phase, the amount of wire for a three-
phase system is less than that required for an
equivalent single-phase system.
Generated Voltages 120
Electrical Degrees Apart
A typical three-phase system consists of three voltage sources connected to loads by three or four
wires (or transmission lines). A three-phase system is equivalent to three single-phase circuits. The
voltage sources can be either star or wye-connected as shown in Figure (2a.) or delta-connected as in
Figure (2b.).

Figure (2.): Three-Phase Voltage Sources

Considering the wye-connected voltages in
Figure (2a.), the voltages Van, Vbn, and
Vcn are respectively between lines a, b,
and c, and the neutral line n. These Phase Sequence
voltages are called phase voltages. If the
voltage sources have the same amplitude ➢ The order in which the generated voltages in the
and frequency (ω) and are out-of-phase phase windings of a three-phase alternator attain their
with each other by 120 electrical degrees, maximum or peak values.
the voltages are said to be balanced, so:
➢ The time order in which the voltages pass through
their respective maximum values.

➢ The order in which the phase voltages reach their

peak or maximum values with respect to time.

➢ Since the three-phase voltages are 120 electrical

degrees out-of-phase with each other, then, there are
Note: Balanced phase voltages are two possible combinations as shown in Figures (2a.)
equal in magnitude and are out-of- and (2b.) below.
phase with each other by 120
electrical degrees.
(a.) Positive Phase Sequence (b.) Negative Phase Sequence
(or a – b – c phase sequence) (or a – c – b phase sequence)

➢ In a – b – c phase sequence ➢ In a – c – b phase sequence or

or positive phase sequence, Van negative phase sequence, Van
leads Vbn which in turn leads leads Vcn which in turn leads Vbn.
Vcn. In other words, Van leads In other words, Van leads Vcn by
Vbn by 120 electrical degrees 120 electrical degrees and Vcn
and Vbn leads Vcn by 120 leads Vbn by 120 electrical
electrical degrees degrees.
 POWER IN A BALANCED THREE PHASE SYSTEM

Three-phase power is mainly used for generation, transmission and

distribution of electrical power because of their superiority. It is more
economical as compared to single-phase power and requires three live
conductors for power supply.

The most important three-phase power equations

relate power (P, in watts) to current (I, in amps), and
depend on the voltage (V). There is also a “power factor”
(pf) in the equation that takes account for the difference
between the real power (which performs useful work)
and the apparent power (which is supplied to the
circuit). Power in a single-phase system or circuit
is given by the relation shown below:
Example 1 For Figure 1, the phase voltage is 120 V.

a. Compute active power to each phase and total power

using each equation of this section.
b. Repeat (a) for reactive power.
c. Repeat (a) for apparent power.
d. Find the power factor.
Instantaneous Power in Three-Phase Circuits

Although we are primarily interested in real, reactive and apparent power calculations, the computation of
the total instantaneous power is also important. In a balanced three-phase circuit, this power has an interesting
property. Thus the torque developed in the shaft of a three-phase motor is constant, which in turn means less
vibration in the machinery powered by three-phase motors.

For a positive sequence, the instantaneous power in each phase is

 Measuring Power in Three-Phase Circuits

The basic instrument used to measure power in 3-phase Two Wattmeter Method of Power Measurement
circuits is the electrodynamometer wattmeter. It contains
two coils, one coil called the current coil, is stationary and is Two Wattmeter Method can be employed to measure the
designed to carry a current proportional to the load current. power in a 3 phase, three-wire star or delta connected the
The second coil, called the potential coil is movable and balanced or unbalanced load.
carries a current proportional to the load voltage. In two wattmeter method, the current coils of the
wattmeter are connected with any two lines, say R and
Y and the potential coil of each wattmeter is joined on
the same line, the third line i.e. B as shown below in
figure:
 The Three-Wattmeter Method

Measuring power to a 4-wire Y load requires one

wattmeter per phase (i.e., three wattmeters) as in
Figure 6 (except as noted below). As indicated,
wattmeter W1 is connected across voltage Van and
its current is Ia. Thus, its reading is

Note:

1. If the power factor is greater than 0.5, both wattmeters read positive (+).
2. If the power factor equals 0.5, one wattmeter reads 0.
3. If the power factor is less than 0.5, one wattmeter reads negative (-).
4. Reversing the phase sequence will interchange the readings on the two
wattmeters.
Determining Wattmeter Readings

The reading of a wattmeter is equal to the product of the

magnitude of its voltage, the magnitude of its current and
the cosine of the angle between them. For each meter, you
must carefully determine what the angle is.
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