Choice of Reference Conductor in Three Phase Systems A Paradigm Shift

H. Khalsa, Member, IEEE

ABB Australia Pty Limited Lilydale, Vic 3140, Australia

J. Zhang, Member, IEEE

Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering Monash University Clayton, Vic 3800, Australia

harnaak.khalsa@au.abb.com

Abstract-The values of non-active (reactive) and total (apparent) power for three-phase systems change with choice of reference conductor. Presently, the neutral in a four-wire system and virtual neutral in three wire systems is the commonly used reference in definitions. In this paper, it is shown that this is not necessarily the optimal choice of reference. Thus, there is a need to define an optimal reference that has practical value. As a solution to this problem, a new approach to determine the optimal reference is proposed. The approach is simple but effective. It allows extension of single-phase power definitions to 3-phase systems to produce unique values without the need to address balanced and unbalanced cases separately. The resulting definitions can be used to provide optimal non-active power compensation. The performance of this approach is illustrated with a case study. The case study uses three-phase three and four wire systems with different resistive, inductive and capacitive load combinations. The results of case study demonstrate good performance of the new approach.

1. INTRODUCTION For single-phase systems, the choice of the reference is explicit. There is no ambiguity in applying the definitions of power and a unique solution is obtained for every case. However, for three phase systems, especially unbalanced systems (voltage unbalance and load unbalance), this is not the case. Different choices of references lead to different results, for the powers (non-active Q and total S). This problem is illustrated with the r ---A circuit in figure 1 (taken 15V 0.7lohm from figure 2 in 0 ohm reference [1]), for values 5V I 5V of P and Q. The values are given in Table I K_____=

that the value of non-active power Q is different and dependent on reference used. For example using "B" as reference gives "0 Var" while using virtual neutral as reference it is "389.7 Var".
TABLE I.

where it can be seen

Figure 1: Unbalance resistive load

POWERS' WITH DIFFERENT REFERENCE

Reference P (W) Q(Var)

B Phase 675 0

C Phase 675 1169

A Phase 675 0

0 Phase 675 389.7

Note that "O Phase" is the artificial neutral.

This ambiguity has been highlighted in the literature, e.g. [1, 2, 3, 4], but there has been no solution to this problem. Many authors/papers e.g. in [5, 6, 7, 8, 9] use the "neutral" or "artificial neutral node" or "virtual neutral" as the reference in the definitions for determination of powers in three phase systems. IEEE Standard 1459-2000 [10] likewise also proposes the neutral or "artificial" neutral for the reference. Based on this practice, artificial neutral will be the reference for figure 1. Thus the results of P and Q in column "0 Phase" would be obtained. The existence of non-active power P = 389.7 Var implies the need for non-active power compensation. However, as can be seen from figure 1, compensation is not necessary since the load is resistive. It is apparent from above and as shown in this paper that present practice for choice of reference may not be optimal. Why is choice of reference important? Consider a threephase load, which is generally considered as one entity that may have three or four terminals. There is voltage on, and current flow into each of the terminals. The voltage on each terminal is measured with respect to a reference terminal (which may be artificial). This is reflected in figure 2. The voltages on and IT T currents flowing into the terminals are used to determine the T powers (P, Q, S) to the load as well as Figure2: Load terminals,vt4-g3 c iT4 T4a the required of compensation Figure 2: Load terminals, voltage and currents non-active power. It is thus important to select an optimal reference so as to obtain a unique, precise and useful information about the load. To investigate the characteristic of the most appropriate reference, a number of cases with different load combinations are studied in this paper. A method to determine the most appropriate reference is presented. The determination of three-phase powers using the proposed reference and the conventional single-phase definitions thus becomes a trivial matter. Additionally this choice of reference leads to the possibility of optimal nonactive power compensation.

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II. APPROACH AND FORMULAE The goal in power systems is to reduce the currents flowing in conductors to minimum as implied in [1] and/or to reduce losses to minimum as stated in [11]. The former, minimum current in the conductors, is realised when only active current is flowing (all non-active current having been compensated) and the latter, minimum losses in conductors, can be used to identify the optimal reference conductor. Thus the key in determining the reference is to utilise the conductor active current and to compute the total conductor loss in all the conductors. The optimal reference conductor is obtained when the total conductor loss computed is minimum as compared to the choice of other reference conductors. The active current is calculated by resolving the conductor current in phase with the conductor voltage with respect to the chosen reference conductor. Mathematically, for a chosen reference conductor, this is as follows.
A.
Instantaneous Active Current Consider the voltage v(t) on a conductor with respect to a chosen reference conductor and the current i(t) flowing in the conductor given as follows

III. CASE STUDY AND COMPUTATION To test the approach presented in Section II, this section considers application of the approach to most representative load types in three-phase systems.
A

--1 -I

Figure 3: Load in 2 phases - Cases I to 4

Note: for case 2A, LA and LB are replaced by CA and CB

v(t):= -X Vrmscos [ wot + oc],

(1) (2)

i(t):= X Irms cos[ ct+3]+ The active current is given by i active := II2i rms cos [ wOt + oc](cos [oc-P3]

The study is conducted on sixteen cases using the circuits shown in Figures 3 to 5. The cases are for 3Ph 3W and 3Ph 4W systems having balanced or unbalanced fundamental (50 Hz) source voltages with star (wye) connected, delta connected, or mixed star/delta connected loads to give a good mix of load types. The cases are divided into four groups. Cases 1 to 4 are for 3Ph 3W with 2-phase load [1] shown in Figure 3. Cases 5 to 8 are for 3Ph 4W star load shown in Figure 4. Cases 9 to 11 are for 3Ph 4W star/delta mixed load also shown in Figure 4. Case 12 to 16 are for 3Ph 3W delta load according to Figure 5.
1

(3)

The above general formulae are used to compute the active current flowing in each conductor. This is repeated for the remaining conductors including the reference conductor. The current in the reference conductor is the sum of the currents in each of the other conductors.
B.

Conductor loss in the system The loss in a conductor is proportional to Lcond2 (Icond iS RMS value). Assume that all conductors have the same resistance, R, per unit length. The unit length conductor loss per conductor is thus given by

Figure 4: Star and Mixed Load- Cases 5 to 11

Note: for case 7A, LB is replaced by CB

.1~~~~~~~~-

(4) PcondLoss The total 3-phase system conductor loss per unit length is given by the arithmetic sum of the unit length conductor loss for each conductor (including the reference conductor) as follows
:= Icond R.

PtotalLoss

E All Conductors

P'condLoss

(5)
Voltages

Of Virtual Neutral

Figure 5: Delta load- Cases 12 to 16

Equation (5) gives the total loss for a particular reference conductor. This calculation is repeated with the other conductors being used as reference. The above approach is novel in that it proposes a reference conductor that is not fixed but dependent on system conditions. This differs from the present practice where either the "neutral" or "virtual neutral" is used as the reference. A paradigm shift is required to adopt this approach.

The source voltages and loads are as follows.

Source phase voltages are

vjN(t) :=
VNI(t)
=

where i = A, B, C. The phase to phase voltages are derived from (6) and are represented as follows

-ViN(t),

XF Vi.

cos(tlot +(ci ),

(6)
7

Vij(t) = ViN(t)- VjN(t) ,

(8)

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andj , vij(t) := X Vij cos(cot + Bci.j where ox, j = (xi - oxj and j = A, B, C.

(9)

The phase to virtual neutral voltages derived from (9) are represented as follows 1 vAO(t) 3 [ VAB (t) + VAC (t)] (10) ( 1) ='\2 VAOrms, COS(wt +UAO),I
=

A. Cases 1 to 4: 3Ph 3 W with 2-phase Load For this circuit the reference can be the A or B conductor (the same results are obtained for both). Using conductor B as reference with voltage vAB(t) given by (9), the conductor currents are calculated as follows. Use (18) to determine the load where RAB = RA+ RB and LAB= LA + LB and calculate the conductor currents as follows

iA(t) =
iB(t) = XIr

VABrm
AB

cos(wot + OCAB 6Z ) '

-

(19) (20)

vBO(t)

3 [VBA (t) VBC (t)] -X VBOrms cos(w)t + OCBO) ,

+

(12) (13) (14)

V
AB

t cos(ct + CAB

6ZAB +1)

vco(t)

[VCA (t) + VCB (t)], 3

Th2Vcorms cos(cot+aco) .

(15)

(21) Using B as reference, the conductor active currents are then calculated as follows

ic(t)= 0.

Loads The loads are given by

Z. :=
Zi

iAactive(t) =
iactive(t)

X
,

ZAB

cos(wOt + OCAB ) COs(6' B)'

(22)

2R.2 +((DLi)2
0R.
(

6 :=tan-,( a
)2

(16)
I

:=

(C,
=

'6Z

:=tan-

i = A, B, C andj

A, B, C,

(oCiRi

'

(17)

iBactive(t) = -iAactive(t) + iCactive(t)]. (23) The conductor loss for each conductor and the total conductor loss is calculated with (4) and (5) using the "RMS" value of the conductor active currents as follows
7

~~~~~~~2

PAcondLoss
PCcondLoss
0

V ABr
AB

cos(6z ) R,
~~~~~~~2

(24)
(25)

Zij :=

Rij

Lij )2

zij = tan( R1

With the voltages and loads defined, the load currents in each conductor can be calculated. The active current in each conductor is then determined. For a particular reference, the active currents are the source currents after non-active power has been compensated, which are the same as the load current resolved in phase with the voltage vector. This is as illustrated in figure 6.

{
z
AB

PBcondLoss
PtotalLoss

COS(6ZAB

(26)

PAcondLoss + PCcondLoss + PBcondLoss (27) The computation is repeated for the other references - "C" and "virtual neutral".

3Arce
'A ctiv9
iEIourc

A
B

iAiQdI
Blood

B. Case 5 to 8: 3Ph 4Wstar load The neutral conductor is the reference for this circuit. Using voltage given in equations (6) and loads as in (16), the conductor currents are given by

ii(t) := X
B= 9 hlct'rv

Zi

cos(cwt + oci - 6zi

X IN cos(wOtt- 6N)

(28)

where i = A, B, C and

iN(t) -[iA(t) + iB(t) + iC(t) ]

i

(29)

Acomp

i komp

'CRomp IN]comp

L_____

Compensator

Using conductor B as reference, the conductor active currents are calculated as follows
iAactive(t) VArms cos(Ct +
A

Figure
conductor loss for a

6: Active conductor current

CAB)

COS(CAB

CA +6

(30)
(31)
+ 6N)

Knowing the active conductor current, the total unit length

unit length and used to compute the conductor loss. The procedure is repeated for each reference conductor. This is outlined below for each of the main group of cases and illustrated using conductor B as reference.
per

obtained.

particular

reference

conductor

can

be

iCactive (t)
X VCrm cos(C1t +CCB) COS(CCB U
c

Note that "R" is taken as the conductor resistance

+Z6kC

iNactive (t) X/ IN COS(wOt + (XB + 21) COS(UXB + 2 iBactive(t) =INAactive(t) + iCactive(t)+ iNactive(t)].

(32)

(33)

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The conductor loss for each conductor and the total conductor loss is calculated with (4) and (5) using the "RMS" value of the conductor active currents. The computation is repeated for the other references "C", "A" and "N".

iB(t) = X IB2 cos(cwt + OCB2 -B2 )I ic(t) = X IC2 cos(cwt + CC2 - 6C2 ) I

(44) (45)
(46)

iN(t) -[iA(t) + iA(t) + iA(t) ] = X IN2 cos(ct - 6N2)

C. Case 9 to 11: 3Ph 4Wstarldelta mixed load For this circuit there are two reference conductors - neutral for the star connected load and A or B for the phase-phase connected load. Essentially this is a case of mixed reference from the load point of view. However, a single reference conductor has to be determined. The conductor currents are determined as follows. Star load currents are determined as in section 111.2 and phase AB load currents determined as in 111.1. The sum gives the conductor currents. This is as follows

Using conductor B as reference, the conductor active currents are calculated as follows.
iAactive(t) =

iA(t) := r2 IAl cos(cot + OCAI iB(t)

=

) X IBI cos(cot + OCBI -BI )

A
c

(34) (35)
I

ic(t) := X

cos(cwt + CC-

(36)

iN(t) = -[iA(t) + iA(t) + iA(t) ]

X INI Cos(wt -6Nl)

(37)

(50) The conductor loss for each conductor and the total conductor loss is calculated with (4) and (5) using the "RMS" value of the conductor active currents. The computation is repeated for the other references - "C", "A" and"Vol". The results of the computation are presented in the next section.
iBactive(t) =
-[

iCactive (t) X IC2 cos(Wt + OCCB ) COS(UXCB UC2 + 6C2 )I iNactive (t) = X2 IN2 COS(w-Ot + (XB + 21) CoS(CB + 21 + 6N2 )
-

IA2 cos(cwt + OCAB ) COS(UXAB - UA2 + 6A2 )

(47)
(48)
I

(49)

Aactive(t) + iCactive(t)+ iNactive(t)].

Using conductor B as reference, the conductor active currents are calculated as follows iAactiVe(t) X IAI cos(wOt + OCAB ) COS(UXAB OCAI + 6A1), (38) iCactive (t)

IV. RESULT OF COMPUTATION This section presents the results of the computation of currents and conductor losses for sixteen cases using the data in Table II.
TABLE II.

CASE DATA

COS((Clt + UCCB ) COS(UXCB - c+ 6z) zc iNactive (t) = X 'NI cos(wot + (XB + 21) Cos(UXB + 21 + 6N1) iBactive(t) =I-Aactive(t) + iCactive(t)+ iNactive(t)]. (41)
X
VCrs

(39)
(40)

Case
1

2,2A

The conductor loss for each conductor and the total conductor loss is calculated with (4) and (5) using the "RMS" value of the conductor active currents. The computation is repeated for the other references "C", "A" and "N". D. Case 12 to 16: 3Ph 3W delta load This is also a mixed reference case. There is no unique reference conductor - conductor A is the reference for load BA and CA. Similarly, B is for load AB and CB and C is for load AC and BC as reference. Again, a single reference conductor should be determined. Conductor currents are determined as follows. The current in conductor A is made of two components as follows

4
5

7,7A

iA(t) = VAX

8
AB
m

cos(t + OCAB -ZAB)

VAC2 z

This can be simplified to IA(t): = X- IA2 cos(cWt + OCA2 -AI ) Similarly the current in the other conductors is given by

CA

cos(t + OCAC -6Z )Z

(42)

10

(43)

Ra= 0.7, Rb = 0.3, Rc = open circuit. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph= 15 V) voltage Ra= 0.7, Rb = 0.3, Rc = open ckt, La= 0.01, Lb 0.01,Lc =openckt. Forcase2ACa =Cb= 1013 replaces La, Lb. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph= 15 V) voltage Ra= 0,Rb= 0,Rc =openckt,La= 0.01,Lb= 0.01,Lc = open ckt. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph= 15 V) voltage Ra= 0.6, Rb = 0.9, Rc = open ckt, La= 0.005, Lb 0.004, Lc = open ckt. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph= 15 V) voltage Ra= 1.06, Rb= 1.32, Rc= 1.32. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph = 115 V) voltage Ra= 1.06, Rb= 1.32, Rc= 1.32. Un-Symmetrical 3 Phase (VphA= 115 V, VphB 115V, VphC = 0.8x1 15V) voltage Ra= 1.06, Rb = 1.32, Rc 1.32, La= 0.0036, Lb 0.0042, Lc = 0.0042. For case 7A Cb = 2412 replaces Lb. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph = 115 V) voltage Ra= 1.06, Rb = 1.32, Rc = 1.32, La= 0.0036, Lb 0.0042, Lc = 0.0042. Un-Symmetrical 3 Phase (VphA= 115 V, VphB 11 5V, Vphc = 0.8x1 115V ) voltage Ra= 1.06, Rb= 1.32, Rc= 1.32, Rab= 1. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph = 115 V) voltage Ra= 1.06,Rb= 0,Rc= 1.32,Rab= 0,La =0.0036,Lb = 0.0042, Lc = 0.0042, Lab 0.005. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph 15 V) voltage

Case Load Data

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11

12

13
14
15

16

Note: Voltages are RMS values, frequency is 50 Hz, resistance in Ohms, inductance in Henry and capacitance in gF.

Ra= 1.06,Rb= 0,Rc= 1.32,Rab= 1.0,La =0.0036, Lb = 0.0042, Lc = 0.0042, Lab = 0. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph = 115 V) voltage Rab = 1.06, Rbc = 1.32, Rca= 1.32, Lab = 0.0, Lbc 0.0, Lca= 0.02. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph = 115 V) voltage Rab= 1.06, Rbc= 1.32, Rca= 1.32. Un-Symmetrical 3 Phase (VphA= 199.1858 V, VphB 199.1858 V, Vphc = 179.6357 V ) voltage Rab= 1.06, Rbc= 1.32, Rca= 1.32. Un-Symmetrical 3 Phase (VphAB = 189.3139 V, VphBc = 169.4056 V, VphCA= 179.63 57 V ) voltage Rab= 1.06, Rbc= 1.32, Rca= 1.32, Lab= 0.0036, Lbc = 0.0042, Lca= 0.0042. Symmetrical 3 Phase (Vph 115 V) voltage Rab= 1.06, Rbc= 1.32, Rca= 1.32, Lab= 0.0036, Lbc = 0.0042, Lca= 0.0042. Un-Symmetrical 3 Phase (VphA= 199.1858 V, VphB 199.1858 V, Vphc = 179.6357 V ) voltage

Case 4 - Source currents /unit length loss after compensation 3.804 8.112 6.901 IAsource(A) 0.291 lBsource (A) 3.804 4.308

Icsource (A)

7.030

7.048

Pcondloss (W)
lAsource (A)

INsource (A)

28.94R

133.8R

97.384

Pcondloss (kW)
lBsource(A)
ICsource (A) INsource(A)

Case 5 - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation 93.466 93.466 152.05 108.49 136.34 75.449 75.449 87.121 IBsource (A) 75.499 136.34 75.449 87.121 ICsource(A) 10.942 21.369 25.369 10.685 INsource (A) Case 6 - Source currents / unit le gth loss after compensation lAsource (A) 93.956 97.236 147.89 108.49
133.09 58.005 1.973 78.083 118.73 28.109 75.449 58.005 30.138 87.121 69.697 33.654

32.23R

33.23R

34.96R

27.41R

The RMS conductor currents and total conductor loss, for each of the references, calculated as outlined in Section III are tabulated in Table III. Note that the source currents lXsource (X=A,B,C or N) are the active source currents after the load currents have been compensated and Pcondloss is the total conductor loss from the flow of these active source currents. Also note that for determination of the optimal reference, only the conductor voltage to reference and conductor currents are required. Knowledge about the load is not necessary.
TABLE III.

CONDUCTOR CURRENTS AND TOTAL UNIT LENGTH CONDUCTOR Loss

Minimum loss is shown in bold italics

Case 2 -Source currents / unit length loss after compensation 0.642 3.813 2.607 'Asource (A) 0.642 3.172 1.461 IBsource (A) 0 3.536 3.542 Icsource (A) INsource (A) 21.47R Pcondloss (W) 0.824R 37.1 1R Case 2A -Source currents / unit length loss after compensation 0.640 3.171 1.537 'Asource A 0.640 3.812 2.57 lBsource (A)

INsource (A) Pcondloss (W)

A C B N 0 Phase Phase Phase Phase Phase Case 1- Source currents / unit length loss after compensation 25.98 12.99 22.57 lAsource (A) 25.98 12.99 22.5 lBsource (A) 0 22.5 22.367 Icsource (A)

Reference

1350R

2363R

1516R

ICsource(A) INsource (A) Pcondloss (W)

3.537

3.531

0.819R 37.09R 21.44R Case 3 -Source currents /unit length loss after compensation 0 3.581 2.122 IAsource (A)

Pcondloss (W)

ICsource (A) INsource (A)

lBsource(A)

0 0

3.581 3.581

2.067 3.581

OR

34.20R

21.60R

29.91R 30.33R 31.84R 25.35R Case 7 - Source currents / unit le gth loss after compensation 16.872 71.003 75.687 51.187 IAsource (A) lBsource (A) 74.836 15.959 59.52 43.578 59.52 63.364 15.959 43.578 csource(A) 5.576 12.733 7.278 9.867 INsource (A) Pcondloss (kW) 9.459R 10.13R 9.579R 6.516R Case 7A - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation lAsource (A) 16.872 71.003 110.46 51.187 lBsource (A) 74.836 59.52 15.959 43.578 59.52 88.182 15.959 43.578 ICsource(A) 5.576 25.509 82.884 9.867 INsource (A) Pcondloss (kW) 9.459R 10.70R 19.58R 6.516R Case 8 - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation lAsource (A) 16.872 69.48 68.994 52.187 lBsource (A) 76.523 19.737 59.52 43.578 9.693 35.863 Icsource (A) 48.335 59.57 17.479 21.449 4.869 15.766 INsource (A) Pcondloss (kW) 8.872R 9.226R 8.842R 5.983R Case 9 - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation lAsource (A) 275.03 184.50 321.87 264.55 lBsource (A) 309.38 165.99 256.53 243.94 ICsource(A) 75.499 292.99 75.449 87.121 10.685 10.685 21.369 167.75 INsource (A) Pcondloss (kW) 177.2R 147.8R 175.6R 165.8R Case 10 - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation lAsource (A) 16.872 180.82 45.579 351.00 lBsource(A) 35.319 153.40 43.578 63.406 59.52 181.39 15.959 43.578 Icsource (A) 38.002 46.811 10.741 355.57 INsource(A) Pcondloss (kW) 6.519R 91.32R | 4.347R 255.5R Case 11 - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation lAsource (A) 216.05 170.60 243.73 223.31 lBsource(A) 215.38 50.015 242.76 172.5 59.52 249.72 15.959 43.578 Icsource (A) 38.002 46.811 10.741 160.03 INsource (A) Pcondloss (kW) 98.06R 96.79R 118.7R T107.1R Case 12 - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation 293.43 lAsource (A) 263.36 244.85 424.50 293.42 lBsource (A) 424.50 244.85 263.36 261.36 ICsource(A) 226.35 424.10 226.35 31.898 INsource (A) 241.5R Pcondloss (kW) 300.8R 299.8R 300.8R

Pcondloss (kW)

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37.147 264.8R 275.4R 264.8R 216.2R Case 14 - -Source currents / unit length loss after compensation 257.45 239.57 384.91 279.76 'Asource (A) 266.45 lBsource (A) 384.88 218.19 243.16 184.52 384.92 189.07 222.28 ICsource(A) 32.279 INsource (A) 199.8R Pcondloss (kW) 248.5R 253.2R 243.OR Case 15 - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation 60.274 200.61 218.86 151.58 'Asource A 132.31 lBsource(A) 215.13 38.22 190.96 178.56 222.20 47.878 130.73 ICsource (A) 25.686 INsource (A) 58.23R Pcondloss (kW) 81.8R 91.08R 86.66R Case 16 - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation 147.96 lAsource (A) 68.986 194.82 201.42 127.21 lBsource(A) 203.60 38.761 182.24 157.09 212.78 31.504 113.30 ICsource(A) 22.875 INsource (A) 51.44R Pcondloss (kW) 70.89R 84.73R 74.78R
-

INsource (A) Pcondloss (kW)

lAsource (A) lBsource (A) ICsource (A)

Case 13 - Source currents / unit length loss after compensation

263.36 399.93 188.52

240.27 240.27 399.92

399.93 263.36 188.52

285.92 285.92 226.52

unambiguous defmitions of powers and power factor. Compensation of non-active power using the reference determined by this method leads to minimum total loss in the conductors feeding the load.
VI. CONCLUSION A new approach to determine an optimal reference conductor for a three-phase system has been presented. The currents and total power loss for a number of cases with unbalanced conditions is calculated. The proposed approach correctly identifies the reference conductor where a unique reference is known. Where there is no unique reference, the method identifies a reference conductor that gives minimum conductor loss for a compensated system. The method applies to both balanced and unbalanced three-phase systems. Using the proposed reference, single-phase power definitions can be extended for three phase systems. The use of this reference will give unambiguous values of powers (Q and S) and PF (power factor). Optimum compensation of non-active power would also be obtained by using this reference.

REFERENCES
[1] L.S. Czarnecki, Power related phenomena in three-phase unbalanced systems, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, pp 1168-1176, Vol. 10, July 1995 [2] P.S. Filipski et al, Discussion of Power Definitions contained in the IEEE Dictionary, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol 9 No. 3, July 1994 [3] F. Gasemi, What is Wrong with Electric Power Theory and How It Should be Modified, Metering and Tariffs for Energy Supply, Conference Publication No 462, pp 109-114, May 1999 [4] F. Gasemi, New Concept in AC Power Theory, IEE ProceedingsGeneration, Transmission and Distribution, pp 417 -424, Volume: 147 Issue: 6, Nov. 2000 [5] L.S. Czarnecki, New Power Theory of the 3-Phase Non-linear Assymmetrical Circuits Supplied from Nonsinusoidal Voltage Sources, IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems, Vol. 2, pp 1627-1630, June 1988 [6] L.S. Czarnecki, Orthogonal Decomposition of the Currents in a 3-Phase Non-linear Assymmetrical Circuit with a Nonsinusoidal Voltage Source, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, Vol. 37 Issue 1, pp 30-34, March 1988 [7] P.S. Filipski, R. Arseneau, Definition and Measurement of Apparent Power Under Distorted Waveform Conditions, Third International Conference on Harmonics in Power Systems, Indiana, USA, October 1988 [8] L.S. Czarnecki, Comparison of Power Definitions for Circuits with Nonsinusoidal Waveforms, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, Vol. 37 Issue 1, pp 43-50, March 1990 [9] H. Akagi, et al, The Theory of Instantaneous Power in Three-Phase Four-Wire Systems: A Comprehensive Approach, Conference Record of the 1999 Thirty-Fourth IAS Annual Meeting Industry Applications Conference, pp 431 -439, Volume: 1, October 1999 [10] Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, IEEE Standard 14952000 - IEEE Standard Definitions for the Measurement of Electric Power Quantities Under Sinusoidal, Nonsinusoidal, Balanced, or Unbalanced Conditions, IEEE, New York, 2000 [11] F. Z. Peng, L. M. Tolbert , Compensation of Non-Active Current in Power Systems - Defintions from Compensation Standpiont, Power Engineering Society Summer Meeting 2000, pp 983-987, Volume: 2, 16-20 July 2000

identifying the optimal reference conductor, the result for reference conductor with the lowest total conductor loss is compared with the actual if known. The following is observed from table III. For cases 1 to 4 we know the reference conductor to be B-phase (or A-Phase). The proposed approach identifies the minimum loss (shown in bold italics 1350R, 0.824R, 0.819R, 28.94R respectively for cases 1 to 4) being for conductor B as the preferred reference. Similarly the correct reference conductor for cases 5 to 8 is the neutral conductor and the proposed approach again correctly identifies the neutral conductor with minimum loss (27.14R, 25.35R, 6.516R, 6.516R and 5.938R for cases 5 to 8 respectively) to be the preferred reference conductor. The table also shows that for cases 1 to 4, if the "virtual neutral" is used as the reference conductor, which is presently the practice, the conductor losses are higher than the losses obtained using the preferred reference conductor as identified by the proposed approach. For example, in case 2 it is 21.47R against 0.824R. This means using the reference conductor as proposed by the new approach gives optimal non-active power compensation. For cases 9 to 16, where there is no unique reference, the proposed approach does identify a preferred reference conductor which gives minimum conductor loss for a nonactive power compensated system. Having identified an optimal reference, single-phase power definitions can be used for computing powers in three phase systems. The method also does not depend on if the system is balanced or not (i.e. there is no need to address balanced and unbalanced cases differently). This will also lead to

V. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS In the ensuing analysis, to evaluate the method of

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