Lesson 36

AC Three Phase
Power

Learning Objectives

Compute the real, reactive and apparent power in

three phase systems

Calculate currents and voltages in more

challenging three phase circuit arrangements.
Apply the principles of Power Factor Correction to a
three phase load.

Review
AC Power Summary

Real Power

P = VI (W)
P = I2R =V2/R

P = 0 (W)

P = 0 (W)

Reactive
Power

Q = 0 (VAR)

Q = I2XL =V2/XL

= I2XC =V2/XC

Resistance
Reactance

XL = L

XC = 1/C

Review
Power Triangle

The power triangle graphically shows the

relationship between real (P), reactive (Q) and
apparent power (S).

P VI cos S cos
Q VI sin S sin

(W)
(VAR)

Active Power to Wye (Y) Load

Y-load

Single phase of Y-load

Z Z R X j phase impedance
2

VR
P V I cos =I R =
R
2

phase power

Active Power (P) to Wye (Y) Load

Because we are considering a balanced system, the

power per phase (P) is identical and the total active
power (PT) is simply PT = 3 P.

PT Pan Pbn Pcn 3P

Using line voltage (VL

3V ) and line current (IL=I):

VL
PT 3P 3V I cos 3
I L cos
3
3VL I L cos

(W)

Example Problem 1a
EAN = 277-30 V . Compute P, PT.

Reactive Power (Q) to Wye (Y) Load

The reactive power per phase (Q) is given

Q V I sin

(VAR)

2
V
I 2 X X
X

(VAR)

Q = V I sin

Reactive Power (Q) to Wye (Y) Load

Because we are considering a balanced system, the

power per phase (Q) is identical and the total reactive
power (QT) is simply QT = 3 Q.

QT Qan Qbn Qcn 3Q

Using line voltage (VL ) and line current (IL):

QT 3VL I L sin

(VAR)

Example Problem 1b
EAN = 277-30 V . Compute Q, QT.

Apparent Power (S) to Wye (Y) Load

The apparent power per phase (S) is given

S V I

(VA)

I 2 Z

V 2
Z

ST 3VL I L

(VA)

(VA)

S = V I

Power Factor (FP)

The power factor (FP) is given

PT P
FP

cos
ST S

Example Problem 1c
EAN = 277-30 V . Compute S, ST, and FP.

Power to a Delta () Load

-load

PT Pab Pbc Pca 3P

Single phase of -load

Z Z phase impedance
P V I cos

phase power

Active Power (P) to Delta () Load

Total active power (PT) is simply PT = 3 P.

PT Pab Pbc Pca 3P

Using line voltage (VL=V) and line current ( I L 3):

I

IL
PT 3P 3V I cos 3VL
cos
3
3VL I L cos

(W)

Which was the EXACT same equation as for Y loads

Reactive and apparent power to Delta () Load

The equations for calculating total reactive and apparent

power are also identical to the Wye load versions:

QT 3VL I L sin
ST 3VL I L

(VA)

(VAR)

Example Problem 2a
EAN=120-30 V.
Determine per phase and total power (active, reactive, and
apparent).
Determine total powers (active, reactive, and apparent) by
multiplying the per-phase powers by 3.

Example Problem 2b
EAN=120-30 V.
Determine total powers (active, reactive, and apparent) by
using these formulas: S 3V I
T

L L

PT ST cos
QT ST sin

Power in Advanced 3 phase

You must pay attention to the problem statement!

Does it ask for total or per-phase power?
What kind of power? S, P, or Q?
Where is the power?
Pline=?
Generator
Qline =?
Line Impedances
Load
Sgen =?
Pgen =?
Qgen =?

Sload =?
Pload =?
Qload =?

Power Factor

Power factor (FP) tells us what portion of the

apparent power (S) is actually real power (P).
FP = P / S = cos

Power factor angle

= cos-1(P / S)=cos-1(FP)

Review

For a pure resistance, = 0

For a pure inductance, = 90
For a pure capacitance, = -90

NOTE: is the phase angle of ZT, not the

current or voltage.

Power Factor Correction

Review

In order to cancel the reactive component of

power, we must add reactance of the opposite
type. This is called power factor correction.

Three Phase Power Correction

Capacitors will be connected in parallel with

each load phase

Power Factor Correction Solution Steps

1.
2.

Calculate the reactive power (Q) of ONE PHASE of the load

Insert a component in parallel of the load that will cancel out
that reactive power
e.g. If the load has Q=512 VAR, insert a capacitor with
Q=-512 VAR.

3.
4.

Calculate the reactance (X) that will give this value of Q

Normally the Q=V2/X formula will work
Calculate the component value (F or H) required to provide
that reactance.

Example Problem 3
EAB=4800 V. Frequency 60 Hz.
Determine value of capacitor which must be
placed across each phase of the motor to correct
to a unity power factor.