AC Power

Generation, Transmission, & Distribution

1. Power Plant 2. Transmission 3. High Voltage
Substation Transmission Lines

steps the voltage up to moves power over long distances

generates 3-phase AC power, 110kV – 765kV on the transmission grid
Usually 11 kV

6. Distribution 5. Distribution Substation

Power Lines
4. Subtransmission

Steps the voltage down

to 66kV, – 33kV

steps the voltage down

Moves power over distribution to 33kV to 11 kV
grid to points-of-use 440V
 Small Substation Distribution Power Lines

Industrial Uses 2400 – 15,000 Volts

6. Distribution Power Lines
1200 A

Commercial Uses 480Y/277 Volts

Moves power over distribution
grid to points-of-use

Residential Uses 120/240 Volts

 Small Substation Distribution Power Lines

Industrial Uses 2400 – 15,000 Volts

6. Distribution Power Lines
1200 A

Commercial Uses 480Y/277 Volts

Moves power over distribution
grid to points-of-use

Residential Uses 120/240 Volts

 Small Substation Distribution Power Lines

Industrial Uses 33kV / 11 kV

6. Distribution Power Lines
1200 A

Commercial Uses 440v 3 Phase

Moves power over distribution
grid to points-of-use

Residential Uses 220 V

Why high voltage?
Power Dissipated in an Electricity Distribution System
150 miles

120 Watt
Light bulb

Power Plant 12 Volt

on Colorado River Connection Box

• Estimate resistance of power lines:

- say 0.001 Ohms per meter, times 200 km = 0.001 /m  2105 m = 20 Ohms
• The current required by a single bulb using P = VI so I = P/V = 120 Watts/12 Volts = 10 Amps (!)
• Power in transmission line:
P = I2R = 102  20 = 2,000 Watts!!
• “Efficiency” is  = 120 Watts/4120 Watts = 0.3%!!!
Why high voltage?
Power Dissipated in an Electricity Distribution System
150 miles

120 Watt
Light bulb

Power Plant 12 Volt

on Colorado River Connection Box

• Estimate resistance of power lines:

- say 0.001 Ohms per meter, times 200 km = 0.001 /m  2105 m = 20 Ohms
• The current required by a single bulb using P = VI so I = P/V = 120 Watts/12 Volts = 10 Amps (!)
• Power in transmission line:
P = I2R = 102  20 = 2,000 Watts!!
• “Efficiency” is  = 120 Watts/2120 Watts = 5.66%!!!
Why high voltage?
• The thing that kills us most is the high current through the (fixed
resistance) transmission lines
• Need less current to reduce power: I2R
• But our appliance needs a certain amount of power
• P = VI so less current demands higher voltage
• Solution is high voltage transmission
• Repeating the previous calculation with 12,000 Volts delivered to the house
draws only
I = 120 Watts/12 kV = 0.01 Amps for one bulb, giving
P = I2R = (0.01)220 = 2010− Watts, so
P = 0.002 Watts of power dissipated in transmission line
Efficiency in this case is  = 120 Watts/120.004 = 99.996%
Why high voltage?
• The thing that kills us most is the high current through the (fixed
resistance) transmission lines
• Need less current to reduce power: I2R
• But our appliance needs a certain amount of power
• P = VI so less current demands higher voltage
• Solution is high voltage transmission
• Repeating the previous calculation with 12,000 Volts delivered to the house
draws only
I = 120 Watts/12 kV = 0.01 Amps for one bulb, giving
P = I2R = (0.01)220 = 2010− Watts, so
P = 0.002 Watts of power dissipated in transmission line
Efficiency in this case is  = 120 Watts/120.004 = 99.996%
Why high voltage?
three-phase “live” wires

to house

500,000 230,000 138,000 69,000 7–13,000

long-distance neighborhood

• But having high voltage in each household is a recipe for disaster

• sparks every time you plug something in/risk of fire/not cat-friendly
• Need a way to step-up/step-down voltage at will
• can’t do this with DC, so go to AC
Instantaneous and average power

• Instantaneous power absorbed by the element:

where
Instantaneous and average power
• Average power absorbed by the element:
Instantaneous and average power
• Average power absorbed by the element:

1
𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑚 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣 𝑉= 𝑉𝑚 ∠ θ𝑣
2
1
𝑖 𝑡 = 𝐼𝑚 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑖 𝐼= 𝐼𝑚 ∠ θ𝑖
2
Instantaneous and average power
• Average power absorbed by the element:

1
𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑚 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣 𝑉= 𝑉𝑚 ∠ θ𝑣
2
1
𝑖 𝑡 = 𝐼𝑚 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑖 𝐼= 𝐼𝑚 ∠ θ𝑖
2

∗
1
𝑉𝐼 = 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 ∠ θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
Instantaneous and average power
• Average power absorbed by the element:
1
𝑉𝐼∗ = 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 ∠ θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
1
= 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 cos θ𝑣 − θ𝑖 + 𝑗 sin θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
𝟏
𝑷 = 𝑹𝒆 𝑽𝑰∗ = 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒗 − 𝜽𝒊
𝟐
Instantaneous and average power
• Average power absorbed by the element:
1
𝑉𝐼∗ = 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 ∠ θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
1
= 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 cos θ𝑣 − θ𝑖 + 𝑗 sin θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
𝟏
𝑷 = 𝑹𝒆 𝑽𝑰∗ = 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒗 − 𝜽𝒊
𝟐

In terms of phasors, average power is 𝑹𝒆 𝑽𝑰∗

Instantaneous and average power
• Average power absorbed by the element:
1
𝑉𝐼∗ = 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 ∠ θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
1
= 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 cos θ𝑣 − θ𝑖 + 𝑗 sin θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
𝟏
𝑷 = 𝑹𝒆 𝑽𝑰∗ = 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒗 − 𝜽𝒊
𝟐

In terms of phasors, average power is 𝑹𝒆 𝑽𝑰∗

Note that multiplication of phasors is not another phasor.

Instantaneous and average power
• Average power absorbed by the element:
1
𝑉𝐼∗ = 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 ∠ θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
1
= 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 cos θ𝑣 − θ𝑖 + 𝑗 sin θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
𝟏
• If θ𝑣 = θ𝑖 , (a purely resistive circuit) 𝑷 = 𝑹𝒆 𝑽𝑰∗ = 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒗 − 𝜽𝒊
𝟐
1 1 2
𝑃 = 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 = 𝐼𝑚 𝑅
2 2
Instantaneous and average power
• Average power absorbed by the element:
1
𝑉𝐼∗ = 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 ∠ θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
1
= 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 cos θ𝑣 − θ𝑖 + 𝑗 sin θ𝑣 − θ𝑖
2
𝟏
• If θ𝑣 = θ𝑖 , (a purely resistive circuit) 𝑷 = 𝑹𝒆 𝑽𝑰∗ = 𝑽𝒎 𝑰𝒎 𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒗 − 𝜽𝒊
𝟐
1 1 2
𝑃 = 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 = 𝐼𝑚 𝑅
2 2

• If θ𝑣 − θ𝑖 = ±90° , (a purely reactive circuit), and

1
𝑃 = 𝑉𝑚 𝐼𝑚 cos 90° = 0
2
Notations in AC
Voltage and Current
• Consider the voltages across a resistor, an inductor and a
capacitor, with a current of
i = IP sin(t )
• Resistors
– from Ohm’s law we know
v R = iR
– therefore if i = Ipsin(t)

v R = IP R sin(t )

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 21

Voltage and Current
• Inductors - in an inductor di
vL = L
dt
– therefore if i = Ipsin(t)

d(IP sin(t ))
vL = L = LIP cos(t )
dt
• Capacitors - in a capacitor 1
vC =  idt
C
– therefore if i = Ipsin(t)
1 Ip
vC =  IP sin(t ) = − cos(t )
C C

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 22

Waveforms for VR, VL and VC

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 23

Single-phase AC network (resistive load)
• The voltage (blue) and the current
(green) waveforms are in phase.
• The instantaneous power (red) is
sinusoidal and its average value is
positive.
Single-phase AC network (inductive load)
• The voltage (blue) waveform leads the
current (green) waveform by 900.
• The instantaneous power (red) is
sinusoidal and its average value is zero.
• Periodic exchange of energy takes place
between source and load.
Single-phase AC network (capacitive load)
• The voltage (blue) waveform lags the
current (green) waveform by 900.
• The instantaneous power (red) is
sinusoidal and its average value is zero.
• Periodic exchange of energy takes place
between source and load.
Single-phase AC network (RLC load)
• In general, the voltage (blue) waveform
leads/lags the current (green) waveform by
certain angle. The power (red) can have an
average value zero, positive, or negative.
• Average power negative indicates the load
is delivering power back to source which
cannot continue for an indefinite period of
time.
Complex power
• The phasor diagram (Fig. a) shows an
inductive load where I lags V by an angle
(a) Phasor diagram
θ.
• Divide the magnitude of each voltage
phasor by I and we obtain the impedance
(b) Impedance triangle
triangle ( Fig. b).
• Multiply the magnitude of each voltage
phasor by I and we obtain the power
triangle (Fig. c).

(c) Power triangle

Complex power
Real and Reactive Power

• Instantaneous power may flow in both directions

• Instantaneous power may be broken up into two components:
• Real Power only flows in one direction, its average value is
zero or positive. Real is the power that actually powers the
equipment and performs useful work.
• Reactive Power always oscillates in one direction and then
reverses an equal amount. Its average value is always zero.
Reactive power is the power that magnetic equipment
(transformer, motor and relay) needs to produce the
magnetizing flux.

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 32

Active and Reactive Power
• When a circuit has resistive and reactive parts, the resultant
power has 2 parts:
• The first is dissipated in the resistive element. This is the
active power, P
• The second is stored and returned by the reactive element.
This is the reactive power, Q , which has units of volt
amperes reactive or var
• While reactive power is not dissipated it does have an effect on
the system
• for example, it increases the current that must be supplied
and increases losses with cables

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 33

 The Power Triangle

• Similarly, motors require REACTIVE power to set up the magnetic field while the
ACTIVE power produces the useful work (shaft horsepower). Total Power is the
vector sum of the two & represents what you pay for.

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 34

 Power in Resistive Components
• Suppose a voltage v = Vp sin t is applied across a resistance R.
The resultant current i will be
v V sin t
i= = P = IP sin t
R R
• The result power p will be
1 − cos 2t
p = vi = VP sin t  IP sin t = VP IP (sin t ) = VP IP (
2
)
2
• The average value of (1 - cos 2t) is 1, so
1 VP IP
Average Power P = VP IP =  = VI
2 2 2

where V and I are the r.m.s. voltage and current

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 35

Relationship between v, i and p in a resistor

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 36

Power in Capacitors
• From our discussion of capacitors we know that the current leads
the voltage by 90. Therefore, if a voltage v = Vp sin t is applied
across a capacitance C, the current will be given by i = Ip cos t

• Then
p = vi
= VP sin t  IP cos t
= VP IP (sin t  cos t )
sin 2t
= VP IP ( )
2
• The average power is zero

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 37

Relationship between v, i and p in a capacitor

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 38

Power in Inductors
• From our discussion of inductors we know that the current lags
the voltage by 90. Therefore, if a voltage v = Vp sin t is
applied across an inductance L, the current will be given by
i = -Ip cos t

• Therefore
p = vi
= VP sin t  −IP cos t
= −VP IP (sin t  cos t )
sin 2t
= −VP IP ( )
2
• Again the average power is zero

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 39

Relationship between v, i and p in an inductor

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 40

Circuit with Resistance and Reactance
• When a sinusoidal voltage v = Vp sin t is applied across a
circuit with resistance and reactance, the current will be of the
general form i = Ip sin (t - )
• Therefore, the instantaneous power, p is given by
p = vi
= VP sin t  IP sin(t −  )
1
= VP IP {cos  − cos( 2t −  )}
2
1 1
p = VP IP cos  − VP IP cos( 2t −  )
2 2

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 41

Circuit with Resistance and Reactance
1 1
p = VP IP cos  − VP IP cos( 2t −  )
2 2
• The expression for p has two components
• The second part oscillates at 2 and has an average value of
zero over a complete cycle
• this is the power that is stored in the reactive elements and
then returned to the circuit within each cycle
• The first part represents the power dissipated in resistive
components. Average power dissipation is
1 V I
P = VP IP (cos  ) = P  P  (cos  ) = VI cos 
2 2 2

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 42

 Circuit with Resistance and Reactance

• The average power dissipation given by

1
P = VP IP (cos  ) = VI cos 
2

is termed the active power in the circuit and is measured in watts (W)
• The product of the r.m.s. voltage and current VI is termed the apparent power, S.
To avoid confusion this is given the units of volt amperes (VA)

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 43

• From the above discussion it is clear that
P = VI cos 
= S cos 

• In other words, the active power is the apparent power times

the cosine of the phase angle.
• This cosine is referred to as the power factor

Active power (in watts)

= Power factor
Apparent power (in volt amperes)

P
Power factor = = cos 
S

© A. R. Abhyankar, IIT Delhi (2013) 44

Power factor correction
• A poor power factor is not desirable for the electric supply company. A poor
power factor indicates that for the same active power delivered, the
reactive power is large.
• Thus, more current needs to be delivered which increases losses in the
transmission.
• From the view point of electric supply company, loads should always ideally
operate at unity power factor.
• Reactive power minimization or power factor correction is therefore done
by consumers.
Power factor correction

(Original)
Example
• An industrial load consists of
20 kW of heating and
induction motors which take
100 kVA at 0.707 power factor
lag.
• Find out the total active and
reactive power drawn by the
industrial load. Find out the
plant power factor.
Example
• If the power factor needs to be
improved to 0.95 lag, then what
should be installed? What is its
power rating?
Example
• Determine the power factor of the entire circuit below. Find the average power delivered
by the source.
Total impedance is

 Power factor:
 The rms value of the current:

 The average power supplied by the source:

Example
• Determine the power factor of the entire circuit below. Find the average power delivered
by the source.
Total impedance is

 Power factor:
 The rms value of the current:

 The average power supplied by the source:

Example
• Determine the power factor of the entire circuit below. Find the average power delivered
by the source.
Total impedance is

 Power factor:
 The value of the current:
𝑉 30∠0°
𝐼= = °
= 4.286∠13.24°
𝑍 7∠ −13.24

 The average power supplied by the source:

Example – 1
A load Z draws 12 kVA at a power factor of 0.856 lagging from a 120-V rms sinusoidal
source. Calculate: (a) the average and reactive powers delivered to the load, (b) the
peak current, and (c) the load impedance
Example – 1
A load Z draws 12 kVA at a power factor of 0.856 lagging from a 120-V rms sinusoidal
source. Calculate: (a) the average and reactive powers delivered to the load, (b) the
peak current, and (c) the load impedance

(kW) (kVAR)

Average power = 10.272 kW Reactive power = 6.2 kVAR

𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 12000, 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 120, 𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 100 A 𝐼𝑚 = 2 100 = 141.4 A

𝑆 10.272 + 6.2𝑗 × 103

𝑍𝐿 = 2 =
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 104
Example – 2
• A coil is to be represented by a linear model consisting of inductance L in series with resistance
R. When a 60-Hz current of 2 A (rms) is supplied to the coil, the voltmeter across the coil reads
26 V (rms). A wattmeter indicates 20 W delivered to the coil. Determine L and R.
Example – 2
• A coil is to be represented by a linear model consisting of inductance L in series with resistance
R. When a 60-Hz current of 2 A (rms) is supplied to the coil, the voltmeter across the coil reads
26 V (rms). A wattmeter indicates 20 W delivered to the coil. Determine L and R.

and

Reactive power
Example – 3 (p.212)
An industrial load consists of the following: 30 kW of heating (resistive) and 150 kVA of
induction motors operating 0.6 lagging pf. Power is supplied to the plant at 4000 V.
Determine the total current and plant power factor.
•

From power factor we have

• (kVA)
Example – 3 (p.212)
An industrial load consists of the following: 30 kW of heating (resistive) and 150 kVA of
induction motors operating 0.6 lagging pf. Power is supplied to the plant at 4000 V.
Determine the total current and plant power factor.
•

From power factor we have

• (kVA)
Example – 3 (p.212)
An industrial load consists of the following: 30 kW of heating (resistive) and 150 kVA of
induction motors operating 0.6 lagging pf. Power is supplied to the plant at 4000 V.
Determine the total current and plant power factor.
•

• The power factor gives

Example – 3 (p.212)
An industrial load consists of the following: 30 kW of heating (resistive) and 150 kVA of
induction motors operating 0.6 lagging pf. Power is supplied to the plant at 4000 V.
Determine the total current and plant power factor.

• (kVA)
Example
(1)

(2)

(3)

(Note: Reactive power is positive)

(4)
Instantaneous and average power
Inductive load: current lags 90 degree behind voltage

𝑖 = 𝐼𝑚 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣 − πΤ2 = 2𝐼 sin ω𝑡 + θ𝑣

𝑣𝐿 = 𝐿 𝑑𝑖Τ𝑑𝑡 = 2ω𝐿𝐼 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣
𝑝𝐿 = 𝑖𝑣𝐿 = 2𝐼 2 ω𝐿 sin ω𝑡 + θ𝑣 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣
= 𝐼 2 𝑋𝐿 sin 2ω𝑡 + 2θ𝑣

𝑋𝐿 = ω𝐿 (Inductive reactance)
Instantaneous and average power
Inductive load: current lags 90 degree behind voltage

𝑖 = 𝐼𝑚 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣 − πΤ2 = 2𝐼 sin ω𝑡 + θ𝑣

𝑣𝐿 = 𝐿 𝑑𝑖Τ𝑑𝑡 = 2ω𝐿𝐼 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣
𝑝𝐿 = 𝑖𝑣𝐿 = 2𝐼 2 ω𝐿 sin ω𝑡 + θ𝑣 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣
= 𝐼 2 𝑋𝐿 sin 2ω𝑡 + 2θ𝑣

𝑋𝐿 = ω𝐿 (Inductive reactance)

𝑖 = 2𝐼 sin ω𝑡
1 −1
𝑣𝑐 = න 𝑖𝑑𝑡 + 𝑉0 = 2𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ω𝑡
𝐶 ω𝐶
𝑝𝑐 = 𝑖𝑣𝑐 = 𝐼 2 𝑋𝑐 sin 2ω𝑡

−1 (Capacitive reactance)
𝑋𝑐 =
ω𝐶
Instantaneous and average power
Inductive load: current lags 90 degree behind voltage

𝑖 = 𝐼𝑚 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣 − πΤ2 = 2𝐼 sin ω𝑡 + θ𝑣

𝑣𝐿 = 𝐿 𝑑𝑖Τ𝑑𝑡 = 2ω𝐿𝐼 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣
𝑝𝐿 = 𝑖𝑣𝐿 = 2𝐼 2 ω𝐿 sin ω𝑡 + θ𝑣 cos ω𝑡 + θ𝑣
= 𝐼 2 𝑋𝐿 sin 2ω𝑡 + 2θ𝑣

𝑋𝐿 = ω𝐿 (Inductive reactance)

𝑖 = 2𝐼 sin ω𝑡
1 −1
𝑣𝑐 = න 𝑖𝑑𝑡 + 𝑉0 = 2𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ω𝑡
𝐶 ω𝐶
𝑝𝑐 = 𝑖𝑣𝑐 = 𝐼 2 𝑋𝑐 sin 2ω𝑡

−1 (Capacitive reactance)
𝑋𝑐 =
ω𝐶
Example
Find the power absorbed by each element

and

The average power at the voltage source

Example
Find the power absorbed by each element

𝐈𝟏 = 4 A and 𝑗10 − 𝑗5 𝐈𝟐 − 𝑗10𝐈𝟏 + 𝟔𝟎∠𝟑𝟎° = 0

The average power at the voltage source

Example
Find the power absorbed by each element

𝐈𝟏 = 4 A and 𝑗10 − 𝑗5 𝐈𝟐 − 𝑗10𝐈𝟏 + 𝟔𝟎∠𝟑𝟎° = 0

𝑗5𝐈𝟐 = −60∠30° + 𝑗40 → 𝐈𝟐 = −12∠ −60° +8 = 10.58∠79.1° A

The average power at the voltage source

𝑃 = 60 10.58 cos 30° − 79.1° = 415.6 W

Example
Find the power absorbed by each element
• The voltage across the resistor
20𝐈𝟏 = 80∠0°

The average power at the resistor

𝑃 = 80 4 = 320 W 𝐈𝟏 = 4∠0°

• The voltage across the current source

The average power at the current source

Example
Find the power absorbed by each element
• The voltage across the resistor
20𝐈𝟏 = 80∠0°

The average power at the resistor

𝑃 = 80 4 = 320 W 𝐈𝟏 = 4∠0°

• The voltage across the current source

𝐕𝟏 = 20𝐈𝟏 + 𝑗10 𝐈𝟏 − 𝐈𝟐 = 80 + 𝑗10 𝟒 − 𝟐 − 𝒋𝟏𝟎. 𝟑𝟗
= 183.9 + 𝑗20 = 184.984∠6.21° V

The average power at the current source

𝑃 = − 184.984 4 cos 6.21° − 0 = −735.6 W
Example
Find the power absorbed by each element
• The voltage across the capacitor
-𝑗5𝐈𝟐 = 5∠ −90° 10.58∠79.1°
= 52.9∠ 79.1° − 90°

𝐈𝟐 = 10.58∠79.1°
The average power at the capacitor
𝑃 = 52.9 10.58 cos −90° = 0
Example
Find the power absorbed by each element
• The voltage across the capacitor
-𝑗5𝐈𝟐 = 5∠ −90° 10.58∠79.1°
= 52.9∠ 79.1° − 90°

𝐈𝟐 = 10.58∠79.1°
The average power at the capacitor
𝑃 = 52.9 10.58 cos −90° = 0
• The voltage across the inductor
𝑗10 𝐈𝟏 − 𝐈𝟐 = 105.8∠ −79.1° + 90°

𝐈𝟏 − 𝐈𝟐 = 2 − 𝑗10.39 = 10.58∠ −79.1°

The average power at the inductor

𝑃 = 105.8 10.58 cos 90° = 0
Three-phase AC network
• Generation and transmission of power more efficient in a three-phase
network. In single-phase, two conductors are needed; while in three-
phase, three conductors can transmit 3 times the power.
• Power in a three-phase circuit is constant rather than pulsating.
• Three-phase generators are used for generation of electricity where a
rotating magnetic field is produced. Three-phase motors start and run
better than single-phase.
Three-phase AC circuit
Three-phase AC circuit – star/delta connection
• 3-phase AC voltage sources can
be connected in star or delta
connection.
• Loads can also be connected in
star or delta connection.
Star connected source connected to delta connected load
• Star connection is sometimes
called wye connection.

Delta connected source connected to delta connected load

Delta connections • The following relationship holds for delta
connection, obtained by applying KVL and
KCL.

• The line voltages are equal to phase voltage but line currents are not equal to phase currents.

• In general,
Star connection
• In star connected load, line
current is same as phase current.
• Line voltages are not same as
phase voltages.
Example

The source is balanced with line to line voltage=220V.

By symmetry,
Power in 3 phase circuit
Example

The source is balanced with line to line voltage=220V.

Per phase power is,

3 phase power is,