CHAPTER 20 THREE PHASE SYSTEMS

Exercise 112, Page 327

1. Three loads, each of resistance 50 are connected in star to a 400 V, 3-phase supply. Determine

(a) the phase voltage, (b) the phase current and (c) the line current.

400 V, 3-phase supply means that 400 V is the line voltage.

(a) For a star connection, VL 3 VP

VL 400
Hence, phase voltage, VP = 231 V
3 3

VP 231
(b) Phase current, I P = 4.62 A
R P 50

(c) For a star connection, IP IL

Hence, line current, IL = 4.62 A

2. A star-connected load consists of three identical coils, each of inductance 159.2 mH and resistance

50 . If the supply frequency is 50 Hz and the line current is 3 A determine (a) the phase voltage

and (b) the line voltage.

Inductive reactance, XL = 2fL = 2(50)(159.2 10- 3) = 50

Impedance of each phase, Zp = R 2 X2L = 502 502 = 70.71

Vp
For a star connection, IL = Ip =
Zp

Hence, phase voltage, Vp = Ip Zp = (3)(70.71) = 212 V

Line voltage, VL = 3 Vp = 3 (212) = 367 V

3. Three identical capacitors are connected in star to a 400 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply. If the line

current is 12 A determine the capacitance of each of the capacitors.

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For a star connection, IL 12A IP

VL 400
VL 3 VP hence, VP = 231 V
3 3
VP 231 1
XC 19.25 thus, 19.25
IP 12 2 f C

1
and capacitance, C = = 165.4 F
2 50 19.25

4. Three coils each having resistance 6 and inductance L H are connected in star to a 415 V, 50 Hz,

3-phase supply. If the line current is 30 A, find the value of L.

For a star connection, IL 30A IP

VL 415
VL 3 VP hence, VP = 239.6 V
3 3
VP 239.6
ZL 7.987 thus, R 2 XL 2 7.987
IP 30

from which, X L 7.987 2 R 2 7.987 2 6 2 = 5.272

Hence, 5.272 = 2 f L

5.272
and inductance, L = = 16.78 mH
2 50

5. A 400 V, 3-phase, 4 wire, star-connected system supplies three resistive loads of 15 kW, 20 kW

and 25 kW in the red, yellow and blue phases respectively. Determine the current flowing in each

of the four conductors.

VL 400
For a star connected system, VL 3 VP from which, VP = 230.94 V
3 3

P
Power, P = VI for a resistive load, hence I
V

PR 15000 PY 20000
Thus, IR = 64.95 A, IY = 86.60 A
VR 230.94 VY 230.94

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 PB 25000
and IB = 108.25 A
VB 230.94

The phasor diagram of the three currents is shown in (i) below. Adding phasorially gives diagram

(ii) below, where I N is the neutral current.

(i) (ii)

Total horizontal component = 64.95 cos 90 + 108.25 cos 210 + 86.60 cos 330 = - 18.75

Total vertical component = 64.95 sin 90 + 108.25 sin 210 + 86.60 sin 330 = - 32.475

Hence, magnitude of neutral current, I N = 18.752 32.4752 = 37.50 A

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Exercise 113, Page 329

1. Three loads, each of resistance 50 are connected in delta to a 400 V, 3-phase supply.

Determine (a) the phase voltage, (b) the phase current and (c) the line current.

(a) For a delta connection, VL VP

Since VL = 400 V, then phase voltage, VP = 400 V

VP 400
(b) Phase current, I P =8A
RP 50

(c) For a delta connection, line current, IL 3 IP 3 8 = 13.86 A

2. Three inductive loads each of resistance 75 and inductance 318.4 mH are connected in delta to a

415 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply. Determine (a) the phase voltage, (b) the phase current, and (c) the

line current.

(a) For a delta connection, VL VP

Since VL = 410 V, then phase voltage, VP = 415 V

75 2 50 318.4 103
2
(b) Phase impedance, ZP R 2 X L 2
2

= 752 1002 125

VP 415
Phase current, I P = 3.32 A
ZP 125

(c) For a delta connection, line current, IL 3 IP 3 3.32 = 5.75 A

3. Three identical capacitors are connected in delta to a 400 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply. If the line

current is 12 A determine the capacitance of each of the capacitors.

IL 12
For a delta connection, IL 3 IP hence IP 6.93 A
3 3
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VL VP = 400 V

VP 400 1
XC 57.74 thus, 57.74
I P 6.93 2 f C

1
and capacitance, C = = 55.13 F
2 50 57.74

4. Three coils each having resistance 6 and inductance L H are connected in delta, to a 415 V,

50 Hz, 3-phase supply. If the line current is 30 A, find the value of L.

IL 30
For a delta connection, IL 3 IP hence IP 17.32 A
3 3

VL VP = 415 V

VP 415
ZP 23.96 thus, 23.96 = R 2 XL 2 62 XL2
I P 17.32

from which, X L 23.962 62 23.197 i.e. 2 f L = 23.197

23.197
Hence, inductance, L = = 73.84 mH
2 50

5. A 3-phase, star-connected alternator delivers a line current of 65 A to a balanced delta-connected

load at a line voltage of 380 V. Calculate (a) the phase voltage of the alternator, (b) the alternator

phase current and (c) the load phase current.

VL 380
(a) In star, VL 3 VP from which, phase voltage of alternator, VP = 219.4 V
3 3

(b) In star, IP IL hence, alternator phase current = 65 A

IL 65
(c) In delta, IL 3 IP from which, load phase angle, IP = 37.53 A
3 3

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6. Three 24 F capacitors are connected in star across a 400 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply. What value

of capacitance must be connected in delta in order to take the same line current?

VL 400
In star, VL 3 VP hence, VP = 230.94 V
3 3

1 1
XC = 132.63
2 f C 2 50 24 106

VP 230.94
Hence, IP = 1.741 A = line current for star connection.
X C 132.63

1.741
In delta, if IL 1.741 3 IP hence, IP = 1.00517 A
3

VP VL 400 1
XC = 397.94 i.e. 397.94 =
IP I P 1.00517 2 f C

1
from which, capacitance in delta, C = = 8 F
2 50 397.94

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Exercise 114, Page 331

1. Determine the total power dissipated by three 20 resistors when connected (a) in star and

(b) in delta to a 440 V, 3-phase supply.

440
(a) In star, VL 440V 3 VP hence, VP 254 V
3

VP 254
and IP 12.70 A I L
RP 20

Hence in star, power, P = 3 VL IL cos 3 440 12.70 cos 0 = 9.68 kW

P = 3I P 2 R P 3 12.70 20 = 9.68 kW
2
or

VP 440
(b) In delta, VL VP 440 V and IP 22 A
RP 20

IL 3 IP 3 22 = 38.11 A

Hence in delta, power, P = 3 VL IL cos 3 440 38.11 cos 0 = 29.04 kW

P = 3I P 2 R P 3 22 20 = 1350 W = 29.04 kW
2
or

2. Determine the power dissipated in the circuit of Problem 2, Exercise 112, page 327.

X 50
Circuit phase angle, = tan 1 L tan 1 tan 1 1 45
R 50

Power, P = 3 VL IL cos 3 367 3 cos 45 = 1348 W = 1.35 kW

P = 3I P 2 R P 3 3 50 = 1.35 kW
2
or

3. A balanced delta-connected load has a line voltage of 400 V, a line current of 8 A and a lagging

power factor of 0.94. Draw a complete phasor diagram of the load. What is the total power

dissipated by the load ?

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If the power factor is 0.94, then 0.94 = cos from which, = cos 1 0.94 = 19.95

Line voltage = phase voltage = 400 V

8
Line current = 8 A Phase current = = 4.62 A
3

From the diagram above, IR IRY IBR , IY IYB IRY and IB IBR IYB
The complete phasor diagram is shown below, with the line current lagging the line voltage by
19.95

Power, P = 3 VL IL cos 3 400 8 0.94 since power factor = cos

= 5210 W = 5.21 kW

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4. Three inductive loads, each of resistance 4 and reactance 9 are connected in delta. When

connected to a 3-phase supply the loads consume 1.2 kW. Calculate (a) the power factor of the

load, (b) the phase current, (c) the line current and (d) the supply voltage.

(a) Phase impedance, ZP 42 92 9.849

X 9
and phase angle, tan 1 L tan 1 66.04
R 4

Hence, power factor of load = cos = cos 66.04 = 0.406

(b) Power, P = 3I P 2 R P i.e. 1.2 103 3IP 2 4

1200
from which, phase current, I P = 10 A
3(4)

(c) In delta, line current, IL 3 (10) = 17.32 A

(d) Power, P = 3 VL IL cos i.e. 1200 = 3 VL (17.32)(0.406)

1200
from which, supply voltage, VL = 98.53 V
3 (17.32)(0.406)

5. The input voltage, current and power to a motor is measured as 415 V, 16.4 A and 6 kW

respectively, Determine the power factor of the system.

Power, P = 3 VL IL cos i.e. 6000 = 3 (415) (16.4) cos

6000
from which, cos = power factor of system = = 0.509
3 (415)(16.4)

6. A 440 V, 3-phase a.c. motor has a power output of 11.25 kW and operates at a power facror of

0.8 lagging and with an efficiency of 84%. If the motor is delta connected determine (a) the

power input, (b) the line current and (c) the phase current.

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 power output 11250
(a) Efficiency = i.e. 0.84 =
power input power input

11250
from which, power input = = 13393 W or 13.39 kW
0.84

P 13393
(b) Power, P = 3 VL IL cos hence, line current, IL = 21.97 A
3 VL cos 3 440 0.80

I L 21.97
(c) In delta, IL 3 IP from which, phase current, I P = 12.68 A
3 3

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Exercise 115, Page 336

1. Two wattmeters are connected to measure the input power to a balanced three-phase load. If the

wattmeter readings are 9.3 kW and 5.4 kW determine (a) the total output power, and (b) the load

power factor

(a)Total input power, P = P1 + P2 = 9.3 + 5.4 = 14.7 kW

P P 9.3 5.4 3.9

(b) tan = 3 1 2 = 3 = 3 = 0.459524
P1 P2 9.3 5.4 14.7

Hence, = tan 1 (0.459524) = 24.68o

Power factor = cos = cos 24.68o = 0.909

2. 8 kW is found by the two-wattmeter method to be the power input to a 3-phase motor.

Determine the reading of each wattmeter if the power factor of the system is 0.85

Working in kilowatts, 8 = P1 P2 (1)

If power factor = 0.85, then cos = 0.85 and phase angle, = cos 1 0.85 = 31.79

and tan = tan 31.79 = 0.6197

P P P P
Hence, tan = 0.6197 = 3 1 2 3 1 2
P1 P2 8

from which, P1 P2
0.6197 8 = 2.862 (2)
3

Adding equations (1) and (2) gives: 2 P1 10.862

10.862
from which, P1 = 5.431 kW
2

and from equation (1), P2 8 5.431 = 2.569 kW

Thus the readings of the two wattmeters are: 5.431 kW and 2.569 kW

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3. When the two-wattmeter method is used to measure the input power of a balanced load, the

readings on the wattmeters are 7.5 kW and 2.5 kW, the connections to one of the coils on the meter

reading 2.5 kW having to be reversed. Determine (a) the total input power, and (b) the load power

factor

Since the reversing switch on the wattmeter had to be operated the 2.5 kW reading is taken as

2.5 kW

(a) Total input power, P = P1 + P2 = 7.5 + (- 2.5) = 5 kW

P P 7.5 (2.5) 10
(b) tan = 3 1 2 = 3 = 3 2 3
P1 P2 7.5 (2.5) 5

Angle = tan 1 (2 3 ) = 73.90o

Power factor = cos = cos 73.90o = 0.277

4. Three similar coils, each having a resistance of 4.0 and an inductive reactance of 3.46 are

connected (a) in star and (b) in delta across a 400 V, 3-phase supply. Calculate for each

connection the readings on each of two wattmeters connected to measure the power by the two-

wattmeter method.

(a) Star connection: VL 3 VP and IL IP

VL 400
Hence, VP = 230.94 V
3 3

Phase impedance, ZP 4.02 3.462 = 5.289

VP 230.94
Phase current, I P = 43.664 A
ZP 5.289

Total power, P = 3I P 2 R P 3 43.664 4.0 = 22.879 kW

2

If the wattmeter readings are P1 and P2 then:

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 P1 + P2 = 22.879 (1)

X 3.46
Phase angle, = tan 1 L tan 1 40.86
R 4

P P P P
and tan 40 86 = 3 1 2 3 1 2 from (1)
P1 P2 22.879

22.879 tan 40.86

from which, P1 - P2 =
3

i.e. P1 - P2 = 11.426 (2)

Adding equations (1) and (2) gives: 2 P1 = 22.879 + 11.426 = 34.305

34.305
and P1 = = 17.15 kW
2

Substituting in (1) gives: P2 = 22.879 17.15 = 5.73 kW

Hence, in star, the wattmeter readings are 17.15 kW and 5.73 kW

(b) Delta connection: VL VP and IL 3 IP

VP 400
Phase current, I P = 75.629 A
ZP 5.289

Total power, P = 3I P 2 R P 3 75.629 4.0 = 68.637 kW

2

Hence P1 + P2 = 68.637 (3)

P P P P
tan 40 86 = 3 1 2 3 1 2 from (3)
P1 P2 68.637
68.637 tan 40.86
from which, P1 - P2 =
3
i.e. P1 - P2 = 34.278 (4)

Adding equations (3) and (4) gives: 2 P1 = 68.637 + 34.278 = 102.915

102.915
and P1 = = 51.46 kW
2

Substituting in (3) gives: P2 = 68.637 51.46 = 17.18 kW

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 Hence, in delta, the wattmeter readings are 51.46 kW and 17.18 kW

5. A 3-phase, star-connected alternator supplies a delta connected load, each phase of which has a

resistance of 15 and inductive reactance 20 . If the line voltage is 400 V, calculate (a) the

current supplied by the alternator and (b) the output power and kVA rating of the alternator,

neglecting any losses in the line between the alternator and the load.

A circuit diagram of the alternator and load is shown below.

Vp
(a) Considering the load: Phase current, Ip =
Zp

Vp = VL for a delta connection, hence, Vp = 400 V

Phase impedance, Zp = R 2p X 2L = 152 202 = 25

Vp 400
Hence, Ip = = = 16 A
Zp 25

For a delta-connection, line current, IL = 3 Ip = 3 (16) = 27.71 A

Hence, 27.71 A is the current supplied by the alternator

(b) Alternator output power is equal to the power dissipated by the load

Rp 15
i.e. P = 3 VL IL cos , where cos = = = 0.6
Zp 25

Hence, P = 3 (400)(27.71)(0.6) = 11518.8 W = 11.52 kW

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 Alternator output kVA, S = 3 VL IL = 3 (400)(27.71) = 19198 VA = 19.20 kVA

6. Each phase of a delta-connected load comprises a resistance of 40 and a 40 F capacitor in

series. Determine, when connected to a 415 V, 50 Hz, 3-phase supply (a) the phase current,

(b) the line current, (c) the total power dissipated, and (d) the kVA rating of the load.

1 1
(a) Capacitive reactance, X C 79.58
2 f C 2 50 40 106

Phase impedance, ZP R P 2 XC2 402 79.582 89.067

VP VL 415
Phase current, I P = 4.66 A (since VP VL in delta)
ZP ZP 89.067

(b) Line current, IL 3 IP 3 (4.66) = 8.07 A

RP 40
(c) From the impedance triangle, cos = = 0.449
ZP 89.067

Hence, total power dissipated, P = 3 VL IL cos 3 4158.07 0.449 = 2.605 kW

(d) The kVA rating of the load, S = 3 VL IL 3 4158.07 = 5.80 kVA

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