7 Polyphase Networks and Power in AC Circuits

emphasizing the importance of power considerations

• three-phase four-wire systems

7.0 Recap of complex two-terminal networks

In the last semester, AC current, AC voltage, and their effects have been considered on a circuit that had simply included an AC voltage source.
These circuits can be now understood as.

• the sinusoidal alternating voltage is produced by the rotation of a coil in a homogeneous magnetic field, and
• the sinusoidal alternating current is formed by a connected load (or complex impedance).

are formed.

This will be briefly illustrated here. In Abbildung 1 a coil with $w$ windings is seen in a magnetic field with a magnetic flux density $\vec{B}$. The coil rotates - starting from $\varphi_0$ with angular velocity $\omega$. The rotation changes the chained flux $\Psi$ through the coil and thus a voltage $u(t)$ is induced.

For the rotation angle $\varphi$ holds: \begin{align*} \varphi(t)=\omega t + \varphi_0 \quad \text{with} \quad \varphi_0=\varphi(t=0) \\ \end{align*}

Thus, the induced voltage $u(t)$ is given by: \begin{align*} u(t) &= -\frac{{\rm d} \Psi} {{\rm d}t} \\ &= -N \cdot \frac{{\rm d} \Phi} {{\rm d}t} \\ &= -NBA\cdot \frac{{\rm d} \cos \varphi(t)} {{\rm d}t} \\ &= -\hat{\Psi}\cdot\frac{{\rm {\rm d}} \cos (\omega t + \varphi_0)}{{\rm d}t} \\ &= \omega \hat{\Psi} \cdot \sin (\omega t + \varphi_0) \\ &= \hat{U} \cdot \sin (\omega t + \varphi_0) \\ \end{align*}

Such single-phase systems are therefore alternating current systems, which use one outgoing line and one return line each for the current conduction.
Out of the last formula we derived the following instantaneous voltage $u(t)$ \begin{align*} u(t) &= \hat{U} \cdot \sin (\omega t + \varphi_0) \\ &= \sqrt{2} U\cdot \sin (\omega t + \varphi_0) \\ \end{align*}

7.1 Power in AC

In the first chapter, we mainly focussed on the power given by $P = U \cdot I$. This is however only valid for DC circuits. For AC circuits we have to consider the instantaneous power $p(t)$. The instantaneous power is given by:

\begin{align*} p(t) &= \color{blue}{u(t)} \cdot \color{red}{i(t)} \end{align*}

Ideal Ohmic resistance R

The simplest component to look at for the instantaneous power is the resistor. For this, we start with the basic definition of the instantaneous voltage $u_R(t)$ (which was given in the last semester) as

\begin{align*} \color{blue}{u_R(t)} &= \sqrt{2}U \sin(\omega t + \varphi_u) \end{align*}

With the defining formula for the resistor, we get:

\begin{align*} \color{blue}{u_R(t)} &= R \cdot \color{red}{i(t)} \\ \rightarrow \color{red}{i(t)} &= {{\color{blue}{u_R(t)}}\over{R}} \\ &= \sqrt{2}{ {U} \over{R}} \sin(\omega t + \varphi_u) \end{align*}

This leads to an instantaneous power $p_R(t)$ of \begin{align*} p_R(t) &= \color{blue}{u_R(t)} \cdot \color{red}{i_R(t)} \\ &= 2\cdot {{U^2}\over{R}} \sin^2(\omega t + \varphi_u) \\ &= {{U^2}\over{R}}\left(1- \cos\left(2\cdot (\omega t + \varphi_u)\right)\right) \\ \end{align*}

For the last step the Double-angle formula „$\cos(2x) = 1 - 2 sin^2(x)$“ was used.

This result is interesting in the following ways:

1. The part $1- \cos (2\cdot (\omega t + \varphi_u) )$ is always non-negative and a shifted sinusoidal function between $0...2$. The average value of this part is $1$.
2. The average value of $p_R(t)$ is then: $P_R = {{U^2}\over{R}}$
3. The use of the $\sqrt{2}$ in the definition $\color{blue}{u_R(t)} = \sqrt{2} U \sin(\omega t + \varphi_u)$ leads to the average power as $P_R = {{U^2}\over{R}}$. This formula for the power is exactly like the formula for the power in pure DC situations.

Ideal Inductivity L

A similar approach is done for the ideal inductivity. We again start with the basic definition of the instantaneous voltage

\begin{align*} \color{blue}{u_{\rm L}(t)} &= \sqrt{2}U sin(\omega t + \varphi_u) \end{align*}

With the defining formula for inductivity, we get: \begin{align*} \color{blue}{u_{\rm L}(t)} &= L\cdot {{{\rm d}\color{red} {i_{\rm L}(t)}}\over{{\rm d}t}} \\ \rightarrow \color{red}{i_{\rm L}(t)} &= {{1}\over{L}} \int \color{blue}{u_{\rm L}(t)} {\rm d}t \\ &= - \sqrt{2} {{U}\over{\omega L}} \cos(\omega t + \varphi_u) \end{align*}

This leads to an instantaneous power $p_L(t)$ of

\begin{align*} p_L(t) &= \color{blue}{u(t)} \cdot \color{red}{i(t)} \\ &= - 2\cdot {{U^2}\over{\omega L}} \cdot \sin( \omega t + \varphi_u) \cos(\omega t + \varphi_u) \\ &= - {{U^2}\over{\omega L}} \cdot \sin( 2\cdot (\omega t + \varphi_u)) \\ \end{align*}

Again a trigonometric identity (Double-angle formula „$\sin(2x) = 2 \sin(x)\cos(x)$“) was used.

Also, this result is interesting:

1. The part $\sin( 2\cdot (\omega t + \varphi_u))$ has an average value of $0$.
2. Therefore, the average value of $p_L(t)=0$

Ideal Capacity C

Also here, we start with the basic definition of the instantaneous voltage

\begin{align*} \color{blue}{u_C(t)} &= \sqrt{2}U \sin(\omega t + \varphi_u) \end{align*}

With the defining formula for the capacity, we get: \begin{align*} \color{red}{i_C(t)} &= C {{{\rm d}\color{blue}{u_C(t)}}\over{{\rm d}t}} \\ &= \sqrt{2} U \omega C \cos(\omega t + \varphi_u) \end{align*}

This leads to an instantaneous power $p_C(t)$ of

\begin{align*} p_C(t) &= \color{blue}{u_C(t)} \cdot \color{red}{i_C(t)} \\ &= 2\cdot U^2 \omega C \cdot \sin( \omega t + \varphi_u) \cos(\omega t + \varphi_u) \\ &= + U^2 \omega C \cdot \sin( 2\cdot (\omega t + \varphi_u)) \\ \end{align*}

Again this result leads to:

1. The part $\sin( 2\cdot (\omega t + \varphi_u))$ has an average value of $0$.
2. Therefore, also the average value of $p_C(t)=0$

• Instantaneous values of power at $R$, $L$, $C$
• Active, reactive, apparent, and complex power

This effect can also be seen in the following simulation: The simulation shows three loads, all with an impedance of $|Z| = 1 ~\rm k\Omega$. The diagram on top of each circuit shows the instantaneous voltage, current and power.

1. Ohmic load: The instantaneous voltage is in phase with the instantaneous current. The instantaneous power is always non-negative. The average power is $P=U^2/R = {{1}\over{2}} \hat{U}^2/R= {{1}\over{2}}(6V)^2/1 ~\rm k\Omega = 18 ~\rm mW$
2. Inductive load: The voltage is ahead of the current. The phase angle is $+90°$ (which also reflects the $+{\rm j}$ in the inductive impedance $+{\rm j}\omega L$). The instantaneous is half positive, half negative; the average power is zero (in the simulation not completely visible).
3. Capacitive load: The voltage is lagging the current. The phase angle is $-90°$ (which also reflects the $-{\rm j}$ in the capacitive impedance ${{1}\over{{\rm j}\omega C}}$). The instantaneous is again half positive, half negative; the average power is zero (in the simulation not completely visible).

arbitrary two-terminal Component

For an arbitrary component, we do not have any defining formula. But, the $u(t)$ and $i(t)$ can generally be defined as:

\begin{align*} \color{blue}{u(t)} &= \sqrt{2}U \sin(\omega t + \varphi_u) \\ \color{red }{i(t)} &= \sqrt{2}I \sin(\omega t + \varphi_i) \\ \end{align*}

This leads to an instantaneous power $p(t)$ of

\begin{align*} p(t) &= \color{blue}{u(t)} \cdot \color{red}{i(t)} \\ &= 2\cdot UI \sin(\omega t + \varphi_u) \sin(\omega t + \varphi_i) \\ \end{align*}

The formula can be further simplified with the help of the following equations

• $\varphi = \varphi_u - \varphi_i \quad \rightarrow \varphi_i = \varphi_u - \varphi$
• $ \sin(\Box - \varphi) = \sin(\Box) \cos \varphi - \cos(\Box) \sin \varphi $
• $2\sin\Box \sin\Box = 1 - \cos(2\Box)$
• $2\sin\Box \cos\Box = \sin(2\Box)$

\begin{align*} p(t) = UI\big( \cos\varphi \left( 1- \cos(2(\omega t + \varphi_u)\right) - \sin\varphi \cdot \sin(2(\omega t + \varphi_u) \big) \\ \end{align*}

This result is twofold:

1. The part $ \cos\varphi \; \cdot \; \left( 1- \cos(2(\omega t + \varphi_u)\right)$ results into a non-zero average - explicitly this part is $1$ in average. On average the first part of the formula results in $UI \cos\varphi$.
2. The part $- \sin\varphi \; \cdot \; \sin(2(\omega t + \varphi_u))$ is zero on average, so the second part of the formula results in zero. The amplitude of the second part is $UI \sin\varphi$

Based on the given formulas the three types of power are connected with each other. Since the apparent power is given by $S=U\cdot I$, the active power $P = U\cdot I \cdot \sin \varphi = S \cdot \sin \varphi $ and the reactive power $Q = S \cdot \cos \varphi $, the relationship can be shown in a triangle (see Abbildung 2).

Generally, the apparent power can also be interpreted as a complex value:

\begin{align*} \underline{S} &= S \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j}\varphi} \\ &= U \cdot I \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j}\varphi} \end{align*}

Based on the definition of the phase angle $\varphi = \varphi_U - \varphi_I$, this can be divided into:

\begin{align*} \underline{S} &= U \cdot I \cdot {\rm e}^{ {\rm j}(\varphi_U - \varphi_I)} \\ &= \underbrace{U \cdot {\rm e}^{{\rm j}\varphi_U}}_{\underline{U}} \cdot \underbrace{I \cdot {\rm e}^{-{\rm j}\varphi_I}}_{\underline{I}^*} \end{align*}

where $\underline{I}^*$ is the complex conjungated value of $\underline{I}$.

The following simulation shows three ohmic-inductive loads, all with an impedance of $|Z| = 1 ~\rm k\Omega$, however with different phase angles $\varphi$. The diagram on top of each circuit shows the instantaneous voltage, current and power. Similar to the last simulation, a pure ohmic resistance would consume an average power of $P=U^2/R = {{1}\over{2}} \hat{U}^2/R= {{1}\over{2}}(6~\rm V)^2/1~\rm k\Omega = 18~\rm mW$. The three diagrams shall be discussed shortly.

1. Phase angle $\varphi = 10°$: Nearly all of the impedance is given by the resistance and therefore the real part of the impedance. The instantaneous voltage is nearly in phase with the current. The instantaneous power is almost always larger than zero. The average power with $17.47~\rm mW$ is about the same as for an ohmic impedance.
2. Phase angle $\varphi = 60°$: It is clearly visible, that instantaneous voltage and current are out of phase. The instantaneous power is often lower than zero. The ohmic resistor has $500 ~\rm \Omega = {{1}\over{2}}|Z|$, but does not show half of the voltage! This is because the addition has to respect the complex behavior of the values. The complex part is $90°$ perpendicular to the real part - so they generate a right-angled triangle. The average power with $9~\rm mW$ is exactly half of the power for an ohmic impedance since only the resistance provides a way for consuming power permanently.
3. Phase angle $\varphi = 84.28°$: The phase angle is calculated in such a way, that the resistance is only 10% of the amplitude of the impedance $|Z|$. In this case, the load is nearly pure inductive. The instantaneous power is consequently almost half of the time lower than zero. The average power here is also only $10%$ of the power for a pure ohmic impedance.

The next simulation enables us to play around with the phase angle of an impedance. The circuit on the left side is a bit harder to understand but consists of a resistive (real) impedance and a complex impedance, which are driven by an AC voltage source. All of these components are parameterizable in such a way that the phase angle can be manipulated by the slider on the right side.
In the middle part reflects the time course of:

• The instantaneous power $p$ of the real part (active power), the imaginary part (reactive power) and overall power.
• The instantaneous voltage and current.

On the right-hand side, the impedance Phasor is shown (lower diagram). The upper diagram depicts the $u$-$i$-diagram, which would be a perfect line for a pure ohmic resistance (since $u_R = R \cdot i_R$) and a circle for a pure complex impedance (since the phase angle of $\pm 90°$ between $u_{L, C}$ and $i_{L, C}$). The simulation is in this part not completely perfect: The pure line and circle are sometimes not reachable.

The following questions can be solved with this simulation:

1. How does the amplitude of the active and reactive instantaneous power change, when the phase angle is changed between $-90°...+90°$?
2. What is the phase shift between the active and reactive instantaneous power?

¹⁾

Also, the last simulation shows the relation between the phase angle (here: $\alpha$) and instantaneous values, like power, voltage, and current.

7.1.3 Applications

Power Factor Correction

Cables and components have to conduct the sum of active and reactive currents, but only the active current is used outside of the circuit. Therefore, a common goal is to minimize the reactive part. The technical way to represent this is the power factor $pf$ is used.

How does the power factor show the problematic effects? For this one can investigate the situation of an ohmic-inductive load $\underline{Z}_L$ which is connected to a voltage $\underline{U}_0$ source with a wire $R_{wire}$. This circuit is shown in Abbildung 4.

The usable output power is $P_L = U_{\rm L} \cdot I \cdot \cos \varphi$. Based on this, the current $\underline{I}$ is:

\begin{align*} I = {{P_L}\over{U_{\rm L} \cdot \cos \varphi}} \end{align*}

The power loss of the wire $P_{wire}$ is therefore:

\begin{align*} P_{\rm wire} &= R_{\rm wire} \cdot I^2 \\ &= R_{\rm wire} \cdot {{P_L^2}\over{U_{\rm L}^2 \cdot \cos^2 \varphi}} \end{align*}

This means: As smaller, the power factor $\cos \varphi$, as more power losses $P_{\rm wire}$ will be generated. More power losses $P_{\rm wire}$ lead to more heat up to or even beyond the maximum temperature. To compensate for this, the cross-section of the wire has to be increased, which means more copper.

Alternatively, a bad power factor can be compensated with a counteracting complex impedance. This compensating impedance has to provide enough power with the opposite sign to cancel out the unwanted reactive power. The following simulation shows an uncompensated circuit and a circuit with power factor correction. In the ladder, the voltage on the load resistor is the same, but the current provided by the power supply is smaller.

Another explanation of the power factor can be seen here:

Impedance matching

not covered in this course

7.2 Polyphase Networks

To transfer power over long distances alternating current and explicitly rotary current are used. Rotary current is the common name for a three-phase current. The first three-phase high voltage power transfer worldwide started in the August of 1891 for the „International Electrotechnical Exhibition “. The power plant in Lauffen (see Abbildung 5) - about $10 ~\rm km$ away from the university Heilbronn - was therefore the first modern three-phase generator and started the three-phase transmission networks, which are the power backbone throughout the world.

In the following, the way to polyphase networks and explicitly three-phase systems will be described. Be aware, that the term „phase“ is used in two different meanings: In the first usage, the phase shift $\varphi$ between voltage and current on a single component is commonly called „phase“. The second usage of „phase“ is for a single circuit of a „multi-circuit“ setup, called a polyphase network. The ladder terminology will be explained in the following in more detail.

7.2.1 Technical terms of the Polyphase Networks

General

Various general technical terms in the polyphase system (in German: Mehrphasensystem) will now be briefly discussed.

1. A $m$-phase system describes a circuit in which $m$ sinusoidal voltages transport the power. The general term for these systems is polyphase systems.

   The voltages are generated by a homogenous magnetic field containing $m$ rotating windings, which are arranged with a fixed offset to each other (see Abbildung 6). The induced voltages exhibit the same frequency $f$.
   

   Abb. 6: Visible Representations of a m-phase System

2. An $m$-phase system is symmetrical when the voltages of the individual windings exhibit the same amplitude and are offset at the same angle to each other ($\varphi = 2\pi/m$).

   Thus, the voltage phasors $\underline{U}_1 ... \underline{U}_m$ form a symmetrical star.
   Example: A 3-phase system is symmetrical for $\varphi = 360°/3 = 120°$ between the voltages of the windings: $\underline{U}_1 = \sqrt{2} \cdot U \cdot {\rm e} ^{{\rm j}(\omega t + 0°)}$, $\underline{U}_2 = \sqrt{2} \cdot U \cdot {\rm e} ^{{\rm j}(\omega t - 120°)}$, $\underline{U}_3 = \sqrt{2} \cdot U \cdot {\rm e} ^{{\rm j}(\omega t - 240°)}$
   

   Abb. 7: Visible Representations of the a symmetric and asymmetric System

3. The windings can be concatenated (=linked) in different ways. The most important ways of concatenation are:
   1. All windings are independently connected to a load. This phase system is called non-interlinked (in German: nicht verkettet).
   2. All windings are connected to each other, then the phase system is called interlinked.

      
      
      

      With interlinking, fewer wires are needed. Star or ring circuits can be used for daisy chaining.
      The two simulations in Abbildung 8 show a non-interlinked and an interlinked circuit with generator and load in star shape.

      Abb. 8: Comparison of non-interlinked and interlinked circuits
      

      To show the simulations: click on Edit » Center Circuit

      To view the simulations: click here!

1. The instantaneous power $p_i(t)$ of a winding $i$ is variable in time. For the instantaneous power $p(t)$ of the $m$-phase system one has to consider all single instantaneous powers of the windings. When this instantaneous power $p(t)$ does not change with time, the polyphase system is called balanced.

   If a balanced load is used, then polyphase systems are balanced with $m\geq3$.
   
   For $m\geq3$ and symmetrical load, the following is obtained for the instantaneous power:
   
   $\quad \quad p = m \cdot U \cdot I \cdot \cos\varphi = P$
   

   Abb. 9: Visible Representations of a balanced System

The following simulation shows the power in the different phases of a symmetrical and balanced system. The instantaneous power of each phase is a non-negative sinusoidal function shifted by $0°$, $120°$, and $240°$.

Balanced polyphase networks have the lowest wiring costs.

The structure of a polyphase network can also represent a ring interlinking (also called ring connection, see next simulation).

The often used (and also here used) term of three-phase current or alternating current has not to be taken literally: If no load is connected, there is no three-phase AC network, but a three-phase voltage network.

7.2.2 Three-Phase System

See also: MATHWORKS Onramp Video: What is 3-phase power?

The most commonly used polyphase system is the three-phase system. The three-phase system has advantages over a DC system or single-phase AC system:

• Simple three-phase machines can be used for generation.
• Rotary field machines (e.g. synchronous motors or induction motors) can also be simply connected to a load, converting the electrical energy into mechanical energy.
• When a symmetrical load can be assumed, the energy flow is constant in time.
• For energy transport, the voltage can be up-transformed and thus the AC current, as well as the associated power loss (= waste heat), can be reduced.

To understand the three-phase system, we have to investigate the different voltages and currents in this system.

For this the three-phase system will be separated into three parts:

1. Three-phase generator(s)
2. Line conductors
3. Loads

Three-phase generator

• The windings of a three-phase generator are called $\rm U$, $\rm V$, $\rm W$; the winding connections are correspondingly called: $\rm U1$, $\rm U2$, $\rm V1$, $\rm V2$, $\rm W1$, $\rm W2$ (see Abbildung 11).
  

  Abb. 11: Motor Terminal

• The typical winding connections in a three-phase generator are called Delta connection (for ring connection) and Wye connection (for star connection). This winding connection can simply be changed by reconnecting the motor terminal. In Abbildung 12 the two types of winding connections are shown. For the Wye connection, is often the star configuration shown, and for the Delta connection the ring configuration. For the Wye connection, it is also possible to have the star point on a separate terminal.

  Abb. 12: Motor Terminal Setup for the two Connections

• The phase voltages are given by:

  \begin{align*} \color{RoyalBlue }{u_{\rm U}} & \color{RoyalBlue }{= \sqrt{2} U \cdot \cos(\omega t + \alpha - 0 )} \\ \color{Green }{u_{\rm V}} & \color{Green }{= \sqrt{2} U \cdot \cos(\omega t + \alpha - {{2}\over{3}}\pi)} \\ \color{DarkOrchid}{u_{\rm W}} & \color{DarkOrchid}{= \sqrt{2} U \cdot \cos(\omega t + \alpha - {{4}\over{3}}\pi)} \\ \color{RoyalBlue }{u_{\rm U}} + \color{Green}{u_{\rm V}} + \color{DarkOrchid}{u_{\rm W}} & = 0 \end{align*}

• The direction of rotation is given by the arrangement of the windings:
  • The three-phase generator with clockwise direction (CW, mathematically negative orientation) shows the phase sequence: $u_{\rm U}$, $u_{\rm V}$, $u_{\rm W}$, Therefore, $u_{\rm V}$ is $120°$ lagging to $u_{\rm U}$.
    This is the common setup for generators.
  • The three-phase generator with counter-clockwise direction (CCW, mathematically positive orientation) shows the phase sequence: $u_{\rm U}$, $u_{\rm W}$, $u_{\rm V}$, Therefore, $u_{\rm V}$ is $120°$ ahead of $u_{\rm U}$.
  • The direction can be changed simply by switching two of the three phases (it does not need to be $u_{\rm V}$ with $u_{\rm W}$!).
    

    Abb. 13: Direction of Rotation

Line Conductors

The lines connected to the generator / load terminals $\rm U1$, $\rm V1$, $\rm W1$ are often called $\rm L1$, $\rm L2$, $\rm L3$ ($\rm L$ for Line or Live = active) outside of the generator or load.
It is important to distinguish between the different types of voltages and currents, which depend on the point of view (either onto a three-phase generator/load or the external conductors).

• String voltages/currents $U_\rm S$, $I_\rm S$ (alternatively: winding voltages/currents, in German: Strangspannungen/Strangströme):

  The string voltages/currents are the values measured on the windings - independent of the winding connection.
  These voltages are shown in the previous images as $u_\rm U$, $u_\rm V$, and $u_\rm W$.

• Phase voltages/currents $U_\rm L$, $I_\rm L$ (alternatively: phase-to-phase voltages/currents, line-to-line voltages/currents, external conductor voltages/currents, in German: Außenleiterspannungen/Außenleiterströme):

  The phase voltages are measured differentially between the lines. The phase voltages are therefore given as $U_{12}$, $U_{23}$, $U_{31}$.
  The phase currents are given as the currents through a single line: $I_1$, $I_2$, $I_3$.
  The potential of the star point is called neutral $\rm N$

• Star-voltages $U_\rm Y$ (alternatively: phase-to-neutral voltages, line-to-neutral voltages, in German: Sternspannungen): the voltages of the lines can be also measured or used referring to the neutral potential.

The setup with $\rm L1$, $\rm L2$, $\rm L3$ and $\rm N$ is called three-phase four-wire system. When only a Delta connection without neutral is connected it is called a three-phase three-wire system. The star and phase voltages are given by

A phasor diagram can be constructed based on the given voltages. Be aware, that commonly the phasor is shown as a vector (i.e. as an arrow starting from the origin or zero). In contrast to this, the voltage in a circuit is shown as an arrow pointing towards the zero potential.

For the yellow triangle in Abbildung 15 applies:

\begin{align*} {{1}\over{2}} U_{31} &= U_{\rm 1N} \cdot \cos 30° \\ &= U_{\rm 1N} \cdot {{\sqrt{3}}\over{2}} \\ \\ U_{31} &= \sqrt{3} \cdot U_{\rm 1N} \end{align*} \begin{align*} \boxed{U_{L} = \sqrt{3} \cdot U_\rm Y } \end{align*}

The phase voltages are $\sqrt{3}$ larger than the star-voltage. In Europe, the low-voltage network of electric power distribution is defined by the RMS value of a star-voltage of $400~\rm V$.
The phase voltage is therefore ${{1}\over{\sqrt{3}}} \cdot 400~\rm V \approx 230~\rm V$. The following two simulations show these voltages.

7.2.3 Load and Power in Three-Phase Systems

To understand the load in three-phase systems, the power at different types of loads will be investigated:

• Load in Wye connection with the three-phase four-wire system
• Load in Wye connection with the three-phase three-wire system
• Load in Delta connection

An example circuit is chosen for each investigation.

Load in Wye connection (Four-Wire System)

The four-wire wiring is one of the most common ways to connect three-phase systems. The IEC 60309 connector (in German commonly known as CEE Stecker) is often used for this connection. The connector has an additional pin $\rm PE$, besides the explained phases $\rm L1$, $\rm L2$, $\rm L3$, and the neutral line $\rm N$. PE stand for protective earth and is part of the Earthing System. In short: $\rm PE$ provides a reference potential, which is everywhere available, due to the fact, that the power plant provides it to the soil ground.

For the four-wire system, the four pins $\rm L1$, $\rm L2$, $\rm L3$, and the neutral line $\rm N$ are used for power transfer. This is for example applied for loads in a star configuration, e.g. three-phase motors in Wye connection or three single-phase loads, where each load is connected to a single phase.

Load in Wye connection with (Three-Wire System)

The three-wire system is used the four pins $\rm L1$, $\rm L2$, $\rm L3$, and the neutral line $\rm N$ is used for power transfer. Sometimes the load does not provide a neutral connection, even when it is in a Wye connection - the star point can for example only be provided for measurement with a thin cable. Additionally, the neutral connection of a load in a Wye connection can break and lead to a three-wire system.

In the case of a three-wire system, only the potentials $\rm L1$, $\rm L2$, and $\rm L3$ are provided and used for power transfer.

Load in Delta connection

The delta connection uses also a three-wire system like the Wye connection without the neutral line. Internally, the load is now connected in a triangular shape. Therefore the individual string currents differ from the individual phase currents. This setup is for the example given for motors when higher torque is needed. In this connection, each string sees $U_{\rm L} = \sqrt{3}\cdot U_{\rm S}$ and can therefore produce more current and more power.

In the case of a delta connection, also only the potentials $\rm L1$, $\rm L2$, and $\rm L3$ are provided and used for power transfer.

Overview of the Power in different Connections

Excercises

Exercise 7.1.1 Power and Power Factor I

A passive component is fed by a sinusoidal AC voltage with the RMS value $U=230~\rm V$ and $f=50.0~\rm Hz$. The RMS current on this component is $I=5.00~\rm A$ with a phase angle of $\varphi=60°$.

1. Draw the equivalent circuits based on a series and on a parallel circuit.
2. Calculate the equivalent components for both circuits.
3. Calculate the real power, the reactive power, and the apparent power based on the equivalent components for both circuits from 2. .
4. Check the solutions from 3. via direct calculation based on the input in the task above.

Result for 1.

Result for 2.

The apparent impedance is: \begin{align*} Z = |\underline{Z}| &={{U}\over{I}}= {{230~\rm V}\over{5~\rm A}} = 46 ~\Omega \\ \end{align*}

For the series circuit, the impedances add up like: $R_s + {\rm j}\cdot X_{Ls} = \underline{Z} $, and $R_s = |\underline{Z}| \cos\varphi$ such as $X_{Ls} = |\underline{Z}| \sin\varphi$. Therefore: \begin{align*} R_s &=&{{U}\over{I}} \cdot \cos \varphi &=& {{230~\rm V}\over{5.00~\rm A}} \cdot \cos 60° &=& \boldsymbol{23.0 ~\Omega} & \\ X_{Ls} &=&{{U}\over{I}} \cdot \sin \varphi &=& {{230~\rm V}\over{5.00~\rm A}} \cdot \sin 60° &=& 39.8 ~\Omega &= \omega \cdot L_s \\ \rightarrow L_s &=& {{X_{Ls}}\over{2\pi f}} &=& {{{{U}\over{I}} \cdot \sin \varphi}\over{2\pi f}} &=& \boldsymbol{127~\rm mH} \end{align*}

For the parallel circuit, the impedances add up like ${{1}\over{R_p}} + {{1}\over{{\rm j}\cdot X_{Lp}}}= {{1}\over{\underline{Z}}} $.
The easiest thing is here to use the formulas of $R_s$ and $X_{Ls}$ from before:

\begin{align*} {{1}\over{R_p}} + {{1}\over{{\rm j}\cdot X_{Lp}}} &=& {{1}\over{R_s + {\rm j}\cdot X_{Ls}}} \\ {{1}\over{R_p}} - {\rm j} {{1}\over{X_{Lp}}} &=& {{R_s - {\rm j}\cdot X_{Ls}}\over{R_s^2 + X_{Ls}^2}} \\ &=& {{Z \cdot \cos \varphi - {\rm j}\cdot Z \cdot \sin \varphi }\over{Z^2}} \\ &=& { {\cos \varphi - {\rm j} \cdot \sin \varphi } \over{Z}} \\ \end{align*}

Now, the real and imaginary part is analyzed individually. First the real part:

\begin{align*} {{1}\over{R_p}} &=& {{\cos \varphi}\over{Z}} \\ \rightarrow R_p &=& {{Z}\over{\cos \varphi}} &=& {{46 ~\Omega}\over{\cos 60°}} = \boldsymbol{92 ~\Omega} \end{align*}

\begin{align*} {{1}\over{X_{Lp}}} &= {{\sin \varphi}\over{Z}} & \\ \rightarrow X_{Lp} &= {{Z}\over{\sin \varphi}} = {{46 ~\Omega}\over{\sin 60°}} = 53.1 ~\Omega \\ \rightarrow L_p &= {{46 ~\Omega}\over{2\pi \cdot 50~\rm Hz \cdot \sin 60°}} &= \boldsymbol{169 ~\rm mH} \end{align*}

Result for 3.

	series circuit	parallel circuit
active power	\begin{align*} P_s &= R_s \cdot I^2 \\ &= 23.0 ~\Omega \cdot (5{~\rm A})^2 \\ &= 575 {~\rm W} \end{align*}	\begin{align*} P_p &= {{U_p^2}\over{R_p}} \\ &= {{(230{~\rm V})^2}\over{92~\Omega}} = 575 {~\rm W} \end{align*}
reactive power	\begin{align*} Q_s &= Z_{Ls} \cdot I^2 \\ &= 39.8 ~\Omega \cdot (5{~\rm A})^2 \\ &= 996 {~\rm Var} \end{align*}	\begin{align*} Q_p &= {{U_p^2}\over{Z_{Lp}}} \\ &= {{(230{~\rm V})^2}\over{53.1 ~\Omega}} = 996 {~\rm Var} \end{align*}
apparent power	\begin{align*} S_s &= \sqrt{P_s^2 - Q_s^2} \\ &= I^2 \cdot \sqrt{R_s^2 + Z_{Ls}^2} \\ &= 1150 {~\rm VA} \end{align*}	\begin{align*} S_p &= \sqrt{P_s^2 - Q_s^2} \\ &= U^2 \cdot \sqrt{{{1}\over{R_p^2}} + {{1}\over{Z_{Lp}^2}}} \\ &= 1150 {~\rm VA} \end{align*}

Result for 4.

active power: \begin{align*} P &= U \cdot I \cdot \cos \varphi \\ &= 220{~\rm V} \cdot 5{~\rm A} \cos 60° \\ &= 575 {~\rm W} \end{align*}

reactive power: \begin{align*} Q &= U \cdot I \cdot \sin \varphi \\ &= 230{~\rm V} \cdot 5{~\rm A} \sin 60° \\ &= 996 {~\rm Var} \end{align*}

apparent power: \begin{align*} Q &= U \cdot I \\ &= 230{~\rm V} \cdot 5{~\rm A} \\ &= 1150 {~\rm VA} \end{align*}

Exercise 7.1.2 Power and Power Factor II

A magnetic coil shows at a frequency of $f=50.0 {~\rm Hz}$ the voltage of $U=115{~\rm V}$ and the current $I=2.60{~\rm A}$ with a power factor of $\cos \varphi = 0.30$

1. Calculate the real power, the reactive power, and the apparent power .
2. Draw the equivalent parallel circuit. Calculate the active and reactive part of the current.
3. Draw the equivalent series circuit. Calculate the ohmic and inductive impedance and the value of the inductivity.

Result for 1.

The real power is \begin{align*} P &= U \cdot I \cdot \cos \varphi \\ &= 115{~\rm V} \cdot 2.6{~\rm A} \cdot 0.3 \\ &= 89.7 {~\rm W} \end{align*}

The reactive power is \begin{align*} Q &= U \cdot I \cdot \sin \varphi \\ &= 115{~\rm V} \cdot 2.6{~\rm V} \cdot \sqrt{1 - 0.3^2} \\ &= 285 {~\rm Var} \end{align*}

The apparent power is \begin{align*} S &= U \cdot I \\ &= 115{~\rm V} \cdot 2.6{~\rm A} \\ &= 299 {~\rm VA} \end{align*}

Result for 2.

The complex current $\underline{I}$ is given as:

\begin{align*} \underline{I} &= I_R + {\rm j} \cdot I_L \\ &= I \cdot \cos\varphi - {\rm j} \cdot I \cdot \sin\varphi \end{align*}

The active and reactive part of the current is therefore: \begin{align*} I_R &= 2.60{~\rm A} \cdot 0.30 &= 0.78 {~\rm A} \\ I_L &= - 2.60{~\rm A} \cdot \sqrt{1 - 0.30^2} &= 2.48 {~\rm A} \end{align*}

Result for 3.

Important: The cosine function is ambiguous! Based on $\cos \varphi = 0.30$ it is unclear, whether $\varphi$ is positive or negative.
Therefore, only based on the power factor it is unclear whether the circuit is ohmic-inductive or ohmic-capacitive! However, this is explicitly given in the problem definition.

\begin{align*} Z_s &= {{U}\over{I}} &=& {{115{~\rm V}}\over{2.60{~\rm A}}} &=& 44.2 ~\Omega \\ R_s &= {{U}\over{I}} \cdot \cos \varphi &=& {{115{~\rm V}}\over{2.60{~\rm A}}} \cdot 0.30 &=& 13.3 ~\Omega \\ X_{Ls} &= {{U}\over{I}} \cdot \sin \varphi &=& {{115{~\rm V}}\over{2.60{~\rm A}}} \cdot \sqrt{1 - 0.30^2} &=& 42.2 ~\Omega \\ \\ L_s &= 134~\rm mH \end{align*}

Related Links

• IPES ETHZ: interactive display on the field in the motor
• interactive example of the time course of current, voltage and power in Falstad