Three Phase Circuit | Star and Delta System

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There are two types of system available in electric circuit, single phase and three phase system. In single
phase circuit, there will be only one phase, i.e the current will flow through only one wire and there will
be one return path called neutral line to complete the circuit. So in single phase minimum amount of
power can be transported. Here the generating station and load station will also be single phase. This is
an old system using from previous time.In 1882, new invention has been done on polyphase system,
that more than one phase can be used for generating, transmitting and for load system. Three phase
circuit is the polyphase system where three phases are send together from the generator to the load.

Each phase are having a phase difference of 120o, i.e 120o angle electrically. So from the total of 360o,
three phases are equally divided into 120o each. The power in three phase system is continuous as all
the three phases are involved in generating the total power. The sinusoidal waves for 3 phase system is
shown below- The three phases can be used as single phase each. So if the load is single phase, then one
phase can be taken from the three phase circuit and the neutral can be used as ground to complete the

circuit.

Why Three Phase is preferred Over Single Phase?

There are various reasons for this question because there are numbers of advantages over single phase
circuit. The three phase system can be used as three single phase line so it can act as three single phase
system. The three phase generation and single phase generation is same in the generator except the
arrangement of coil in the generator to get 120° phase difference. The conductor needed in three phase
circuit is 75% that of conductor needed in single phase circuit. And also the instantaneous power in
single phase system falls down to zero as in single phase we can see from the sinusoidal curve but in
three phase system the net power from all the phases gives a continuous power to the load.
Till now we can say that there are three voltage source connected together to form a three phase circuit
and actually it is inside the generator. The generator is having three voltage sources which are acting
together in 120o phase difference. If we can arrange three single phase circuit with 120o phase
difference, then it will become a three phase circuit. So 120o phase difference is must otherwise the
circuit will not work, the three phase load will not be able to get active and it may also cause damage to
the system. The size or metal quantity of three phase devices is not having much difference. Now if we
consider the transformer, it will be almost same size for both single phase and three phase because
transformer will make only the linkage of flux. So the three phase system will have higher efficiency
compared to single phase because for the same or little difference in mass of transformer, three phase
line will be out whereas in single phase it will be only one. And losses will be minimum in three phase
circuit. So overall in conclusion the three phase system will have better and higher efficiency compared
to the single phase system. In three phase circuit, connections can be given in two types:

Star connection

Delta connection

Star Connection

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.

When equal current will flow through all the three phases, then it is called as balanced current. And
when the current will not be equal in any of the phase, then it is unbalanced current. In this case, during
balanced condition there will be no current flowing through the neutral line and hence there is no use of
the neutral terminal. But when there will be unbalanced current flowing in the three phase circuit,
neutral is having a vital role. It will take the unbalanced current through to the ground and protect the
transformer. Unbalanced current affects transformer and it may also cause damage to the transformer
and for this star connection is preferred for long distance transmission. The star connection is shown
below- 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. It is shown as expression below

Delta Connection

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. The
figure is shown below for delta connection. In the load station, ground can be used as neutral path if

required. In delta
connection, the line voltage is same with that of phase voltage. And the line current is √3 times of phase

current. It is shown as expression below, In three phase

circuit, star and delta connection can be arranged in four different ways-
Star-Star connection

Star-Delta connection

Delta-Star connection

Delta-Delta connection

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.

https://www.electrical4u.com/three-phase-circuit-star-and-delta-system/

Three-phase Y and Delta

Configurations
Chapter 10 - Polyphase AC Circuits

Initially we explored the idea of three-phase power systems by connecting three

voltage sources together in what is commonly known as the “Y” (or “star”)
configuration. This configuration of voltage sources is characterized by a common
connection point joining one side of each source. (Figure below)

Three-phase “Y” connection has three voltage sources connected to a common point.
If we draw a circuit showing each voltage source to be a coil of wire (alternator or
transformer winding) and do some slight rearranging, the “Y” configuration becomes
more obvious in Figure below.

Three-phase, four-wire “Y” connection uses a “common” fourth wire.

The three conductors leading away from the voltage sources (windings) toward a load
are typically called lines, while the windings themselves are typically called phases. In
a Y-connected system, there may or may not (Figure below) be a neutral wire
attached at the junction point in the middle, although it certainly helps alleviate
potential problems should one element of a three-phase load fail open, as discussed
earlier.

Three-phase, three-wire “Y” connection does not use the neutral wire.
When we measure voltage and current in three-phase systems, we need to be
specific as to where we’re measuring. Line voltage refers to the amount of voltage
measured between any two line conductors in a balanced three-phase system. With
the above circuit, the line voltage is roughly 208 volts. Phase voltagerefers to the
voltage measured across any one component (source winding or load impedance) in
a balanced three-phase source or load. For the circuit shown above, the phase
voltage is 120 volts. The terms line current and phase current follow the same logic:
the former referring to current through any one line conductor, and the latter to current
through any one component.
Y-connected sources and loads always have line voltages greater than phase
voltages, and line currents equal to phase currents. If the Y-connected source or load
is balanced, the line voltage will be equal to the phase voltage times the square root
of 3:

However, the “Y” configuration is not the only valid one for connecting three-phase
voltage source or load elements together. Another configuration is known as the
“Delta,” for its geometric resemblance to the Greek letter of the same name (Δ). Take
close notice of the polarity for each winding in Figure below.

Three-phase, three-wire Δ connection has no common.

At first glance it seems as though three voltage sources like this would create a short-
circuit, electrons flowing around the triangle with nothing but the internal impedance of
the windings to hold them back. Due to the phase angles of these three voltage
sources, however, this is not the case.
One quick check of this is to use Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law to see if the three voltages
around the loop add up to zero. If they do, then there will be no voltage available to
push current around and around that loop, and consequently, there will be no
circulating current. Starting with the top winding and progressing counter-clockwise,
our KVL expression looks something like this:

Indeed, if we add these three vector quantities together, they do add up to zero.
Another way to verify the fact that these three voltage sources can be connected
together in a loop without resulting in circulating currents is to open up the loop at one
junction point and calculate voltage across the break: (Figure below)

Voltage across open Δ should be zero.

Starting with the right winding (120 V ∠ 120o) and progressing counter-clockwise, our
KVL equation looks like this:

Sure enough, there will be zero voltage across the break, telling us that no current will
circulate within the triangular loop of windings when that connection is made
complete.
Having established that a Δ-connected three-phase voltage source will not burn itself
to a crisp due to circulating currents, we turn to its practical use as a source of power
in three-phase circuits. Because each pair of line conductors is connected directly
across a single winding in a Δ circuit, the line voltage will be equal to the phase
voltage. Conversely, because each line conductor attaches at a node between two
windings, the line current will be the vector sum of the two joining phase currents. Not
surprisingly, the resulting equations for a Δ configuration are as follows:

Let’s see how this works in an example circuit: (Figure below)

The load on the Δ source is wired in a Δ.

With each load resistance receiving 120 volts from its respective phase winding at the
source, the current in each phase of this circuit will be 83.33 amps:
So each line current in this three-phase power system is equal to 144.34 amps, which
is substantially more than the line currents in the Y-connected system we looked at
earlier. One might wonder if we’ve lost all the advantages of three-phase power here,
given the fact that we have such greater conductor currents, necessitating thicker,
more costly wire. The answer is no. Although this circuit would require three number 1
gage copper conductors (at 1000 feet of distance between source and load this
equates to a little over 750 pounds of copper for the whole system), it is still less than
the 1000+ pounds of copper required for a single-phase system delivering the same
power (30 kW) at the same voltage (120 volts conductor-to-conductor).
One distinct advantage of a Δ-connected system is its lack of a neutral wire. With a Y-
connected system, a neutral wire was needed in case one of the phase loads were to
fail open (or be turned off), in order to keep the phase voltages at the load from
changing. This is not necessary (or even possible!) in a Δ-connected circuit. With
each load phase element directly connected across a respective source phase
winding, the phase voltage will be constant regardless of open failures in the load
elements.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of the Δ-connected source is its fault tolerance. It is
possible for one of the windings in a Δ-connected three-phase source to fail open
(Figure below) without affecting load voltage or current!
 Even with a source winding failure, the line voltage is still 120 V, and load phase
voltage is still 120 V. The only difference is extra current in the remaining functional
source windings.

The only consequence of a source winding failing open for a Δ-connected source is
increased phase current in the remaining windings. Compare this fault tolerance with
a Y-connected system suffering an open source winding in Figure below.

Open “Y” source winding halves the voltage on two loads of a Δ connected load.

With a Δ-connected load, two of the resistances suffer reduced voltage while one
remains at the original line voltage, 208. A Y-connected load suffers an even worse
fate (Figure below) with the same winding failure in a Y-connected source
 Open source winding of a “Y-Y” system halves the voltage on two loads, and looses
one load entirely.

In this case, two load resistances suffer reduced voltage while the third loses supply
voltage completely! For this reason, Δ-connected sources are preferred for reliability.
However, if dual voltages are needed (e.g. 120/208) or preferred for lower line
currents, Y-connected systems are the configuration of choice.

 REVIEW:
 The conductors connected to the three points of a three-phase source or load are
called lines.
 The three components comprising a three-phase source or load are called phases.
 Line voltage is the voltage measured between any two lines in a three-phase circuit.
 Phase voltage is the voltage measured across a single component in a three-phase
source or load.
 Line current is the current through any one line between a three-phase source and load.
 Phase current is the current through any one component comprising a three-phase
source or load.
 In balanced “Y” circuits, line voltage is equal to phase voltage times the square root of 3,
while line current is equal to phase current.


 In balanced Δ circuits, line voltage is equal to phase voltage, while line current is equal
to phase current times the square root of 3.


 Δ-connected three-phase voltage sources give greater reliability in the event of winding
failure than Y-connected sources. However, Y-connected sources can deliver the same
amount of power with less line current than Δ-connected sources.

Delta Connection (Δ)

In this system of interconnection, the starting ends of the three phases or coils are connected to
the finishing ends of the coil. Or the starting end of the first coil is connected to the finishing end
of the second coil and so on (for all three coils) and it looks like a closed mesh or circuit as
shown in fig (1).

In more clear words, all three coils are connected in series to form a close mesh or circuit.
Three wires are taken out from three junctions and the all outgoing currents from junction
assumed to be positive.
 In Delta connection, the three windings interconnection looks like a short circuit, but this is not
true, if the system is balanced, then the value of the algebraic sum of all voltages around the
mesh is zero.

When a terminal is open, then there is no chance of flowing currents with basic frequency
around the closed mesh.

 Also Read: Star Connection (Y): Three Phase Power, Voltage & Current Values
 Comparison between Star (Y) and Delta (Δ) Connections
Good to Remember: at any instant, the EMF value of one phase is equal to the resultant of the
other two phases EMF values but in the opposite direction.

Delta or Mesh Connection System is also called Three Phase Three Wire System (3-Phase 3
Wire) and it is the best and suitable system for AC Power Transmission.

Also read : Phase Current Values in 3-Phase Current

Voltage, Current and Power Values in Delta Connection (Δ)

1. Line Voltages and Phase Voltages in Delta Connection

It is seen from fig 2 that there is only one phase winding between two terminals (i.e. there is one
phase winding between two wires). Therefore, in Delta Connection, the voltage between (any
pair of) two lines is equal to the phase voltage of the phase winding which is connected between
two lines. Since the phase sequence is R → Y → B, therefore, the direction of voltage from R
phase towards Y phase is positive (+), and the voltage of R phase is leading by 120°from Y
phase voltage. Likewise, the voltage of Y phase is leading by 120° from the phase voltage of B
and its direction is positive from Y towards B.
 If the line voltage between;

Line 1 and Line 2 = VRY

Line 2 and Line 3 = VYB

Line 3 and Line 1 = VBR

Then, we see that VRY leads VYB by 120° and VYB leads VBR by 120°.

Let’s suppose,

VRY = VYB = VBR = VL …………… (Line Voltage)

Then

VL = VPH

I.e. in Delta connection, the Line Voltage is equal to the Phase Voltage.

2. Line Currents and Phase Currents in Delta Connection

It will be noted from the below (fig-2) that the total current of each Line is equal to the vector
difference between two phase currents flowing through that line. i.e.;

 Current in Line 1= I1 = IR – IB
 Current in Line 2 =I2 = IY – IR
 Current in Line 3 =I3 = IB – IY
{Vector Difference}
 The current of
Line 1 can be found by determining the vector difference between IR and IB and we can
do that by increasing the IB Vector in reverse, so that, IR and IB makes a parallelogram.
The diagonal of that parallelogram shows the vector difference of IR and IB which is
equal to Current in Line 1= I1. Moreover, by reversing the vector of IB, it may indicate as
(-IB), therefore, the angle between IR and -IB (IB, when reversed = -IB) is 60°. If,
IR = IY = IB = IPH …. The phase currents

Then;

The current flowing in Line 1 would be;

IL or I1 = 2 x IPH x Cos (60°/2)

= 2 x IPH x Cos 30°

 = 2 x IPH x (√3/2) …… Since Cos 30° = √3/2

= √3 IPH

i.e. In Delta Connection, The Line current is √3 times of Phase Current

Similarly, we can find the reaming two Line currents as same as above. i.e.,

I2 = IY – IR … Vector Difference = √3 IPH

I3 = IB – IY … Vector difference = √3 IPH

As, all the Line current are equal in magnitude i.e.

I1 = I2 = I3 = IL

Hence

IL = √3 IPH

It is seen from the fig above that;

 The Line Currents are 120° apart from each other

 Line currents are lagging by 30° from their corresponding Phase Currents
 The angle Ф between line currents and respective line voltages is (30°+Ф), i.e. each line
current is lagging by (30°+Ф) from the corresponding line voltage.
3. Power in Delta Connection
We know that the power of each phase

Power / Phase = VPH x IPH x CosФ

And the total power of three phases;

Total Power = P = 3 x VPH x IPH x CosФ ….. (1)

We know that the values of Phase Current and Phase Voltage in Delta Connection;

IPH = IL / /√3 ….. (From IL = √3 IPH)

VPH = VL

Putting these values in power eq……. (1)

P = 3 x VL x ( IL/√3) x CosФ …… (IPH = IL / /√3)
P = √3 x√3 x VL x ( IL/√3) x CosФ …{ 3 = √3x√3 }
P = √3 x VLx IL x CosФ …

Hence proved;
 Power in Delta Connection,

P = 3 x VPH x IPH x CosФ …. or

P = √3 x VL x IL x CosФ

As explained this in 3-Phase Circuit MCQs with explanatory Answer (MCQs No.1)

Good to Know: Where Cos Φ = Power factor = the phase angle between Phase Voltage and
Phase Current and not between Line current and line voltage.

Good to Remember:

In both Star and Delta Connections, The total power on balanced load is same.

I.e. total power in a Three Phase System = P = √3 x VL x IL x CosФ

Good to know:

Balanced System is a system where:

 All three phase voltages are equal in magnitude
 All phase voltages are in phase by each other i.e. 360°/3 = 120°
 All three phase Currents are equal in magnitude
 All phase Currents are in phase by each other i.e. 360°/3 = 120°
 A three phase balanced load is a system in which the load connected across three phases
are identical.
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2014/09/delta-connection-power-voltage-current.html

http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/pmcl/pct/Downloads/Lab2.pdf

www.d.umn.edu/~snorr/ece4501s3/lab3a.doc

http://portal.unimap.edu.my/portal/page/portal30/Lecturer%20Notes/KEJURUTERAAN_KOMPUTER/Se
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%203%20PHASE%20POWER%20MEASUREMENT.pdf