Tutorial 1 Part 2 Fundamentals of Electrical Distribution and Utilisation

1. Explain the difference between a balanced polyphase system and an unbalanced polyphase system.
What conditions typically cause a polyphase system to become unbalanced?
2. All large electric power generating systems in the world today produce three phase power, rather
than single phase power. Explain why this is so, in terms of advantages of distribution and use.

3. This is a schematic diagram of a Delta-connected three-phase generator (with the rotor winding
shown):

How much AC current will each of the lines (IA, IB, or IC) conduct to a load (not shown) if each stator
coil inside the alternator outputs 17 amps of current? [Ans: 29.4 A]

4. The line voltage to this three-phase load is 480 volts. How much power (total) is dissipated
by the load? How much current is there in each line supplying the load? [Ans: Ptotal = 27.648
kW; Iline = 33.255 A]

Tutorial 1 Part 2 Fundamentals of Electrical Distribution and Utilisation

5. Label where each of the following electrical quantities would be found in both the "Y" and
"Delta" three-phase configurations:
Phase voltage
Line voltage
Phase current
Line current

In which circuit (Y or Delta) are the phase and line currents equal? In which circuit (Y or Delta) are
the phase and line voltages equal? Where phase and line quantities are unequal, determine which is
larger.
6. What are the approaches commonly deployed to mitigate harmonics in an electrical distribution
system. Illustrates the techniques used in each of the above mention approach.

Tutorial 1 Part 2 Fundamentals of Electrical Distribution and Utilisation

7. An industrial client is charged a penalty if the plant power factor drops below 0.85. The equivalent
plant loads are as shown in Figure 17-20. The frequency is 60 Hz.
a. Determine PT and QT.
b. Determine what value of capacitance (in microfarads) is required to bring power factor up to
0.85.
c. Determine generator current before and after correction.
d. What are the effects when the system experiences a power factor of more than 1?

Tutorial 1 Part 2 Fundamentals of Electrical Distribution and Utilisation

8. A residential building has a living area of 2000 square feet. There are four small-appliance
branch circuits supplying the kitchen and dining areas and one laundry circuit. In addition,
there are a total of 20 duplex receptacles for miscellaneous use in the unfinished areas of
the residence.
a. Determine the estimated demand for this portion of the dwelling load. (Ans: 7,935 VA)
b. Determine the load expressed in volt-amperes and amperes for a dishwasher that
contains a 1/3 hp, 115 V, pump motor and a 900 W resistive heating (dryer) element.
(Ans: 900 VA)
c. The residence of has the following fastened-in-place appliances. Determine the
estimated demand load for these appliances.(Ans: 5290 VA)
d. Determine the total estimated demand load for the residence discussed in (a), (b) and
(c) above. In addition to the loads specified in these examples, the residence has an
electric hot water tank rated at 5 kW, 230 V; an air-conditioning unit rated at 230 V, 24
A; and an electric range rated at 10 kW. Use this estimated demand load to determine
the required service entrance ampacity (Ans: 200 ampere).

Service Entrance Cable

OH Door Operator
1/2 hp, 115 V,
9.8 A

Footer Sump
1/3hp, 115 V,
7.2 A

Disposal 1/2 hp, A/C Unit 24 A,

230 V
115 V, 9.8 A

Refrigerator
7 A, 115 V

Deep freeze
6A, 115 V