Electrical Systems

Facility Electrical Systems and

Understanding Electric Power

Basic Electrical Systems in Our

Buildings
Electricity is the flow of electrical energy
through some conductive material, such
as our power cords or distribution wiring,
and powers equipment such as lights and
air conditioners to do useful work in our
building or facility.

 Electricity has two current types: AC

(alternating current) and DC (direct
current).
AC is the power we get from the standard
outlets in our office building or other facility,
and
DC is the power we get from batteries, or from
power supplies inside our computers, copiers
and FAX machines.

Solar cells, fuel cells, and most wind

generators produce DC as their initial
output.

 In AC systems, the voltage changes

directions 50 times per second,
moving first positive and then
negative. This is called 50 Hertz, and
is the basic frequency of most
countries power systems. In the US
and North America they use 60 Hz
electric power. The AC voltage
changes as shown in Figure 1.

 AC power exists because it has

advantages for the power company since
they can step up the voltage to transmit
and distribute it to our buildings and
facilities; and this reduces the transmission
and distribution losses from the resistance
in the power lines.
AC also makes it easier to build large, high
efficiency motors, and to have high
efficiency lighting such as fluorescent
lights. Using transformers, the AC can also
easily be changed to different voltages for
different uses in our homes and facilities.

Phases and Voltages in

AC Power Systems
The number of phases in an AC power
system is given by the number of different
sine waves that make up the power.
A single phase system has only one sine wave,
whereas a three phase system has three sine
waves.

Typical voltages in the European area are:

220 volts single phase (240 volts for Cyprus)
380 volts three phase (415 volts for Cyprus)

Single Phase AC Electrical

Systems
This is a power system having only one
sine wave, and the frequency of that sine
wave is 50 Hz.

Fig. 1: Single phase voltage

 For example, in most homes or small

buildings where only single phase AC
systems supply the electric power, the
voltage is 220 volts. It is brought to the
building with 3 wires, one being a
neutral or ground, and the other two
having a voltage difference of 220 volts.
In England and Cyprus this voltage
difference is 240 volts.

Three-Phase AC Electrical
Systems
This is a power system having three sine waves, and
the frequency of each sine wave is 50 Hz. The three
sine waves are separated in time with a phase angle of
120 degrees. See Figure 2.
Figure 2: Three-phase
voltage

For another explanation see:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/power1.htm

Grounded Wye Three Phase

Systems
In new and recent installations, the most
popular systems are called 4 wire
grounded wye systems.
For most larger buildings and facilities it is a
220/380 volt system.
The low voltage part is 220 volts single
phase.
The high voltage part is 380 volts 3 phase.
In a 4 wire grounded wye system the high
voltage is 1.73 (the square root of 3) times
higher than the low voltage.

Grounded Wye Three Phase

Systems (cont)
This system is flexible since it has the
ability to handle single phase plug loads
or lighting circuits that operate at 220
volts, from the same system that feeds
the 3 phase circuits for motors,
equipment for heating, air conditioning,
elevators, and industrial machinery.

380 volt, four wire wye

system
A
B

Neutral
Ground

N
G
C

VL L = 380 V
VL N = 380 / 3 = 220 V
IN = 0 in a balanced 3 system

3 (phase)
Y system

Power in Simple AC Circuits

and Systems
In DC circuits, and in AC circuits with only
resistors in them, if we substitute the voltage
from Ohms Law (V=IR) into the expression for
power, the result is:
P = VI = I R I = I2 R
Example - Find the power dissipated by a 100
ohm resistor with a current of 1.2 amps through
it.
Solution P = I2R = (1.2)2 x 100 = 1.44 x 100
= 144 watts

Power in General AC Circuits

and Systems
Most of our AC power is in circuits and systems
that have other physical effects in them besides
the effect of a resistor.
One of these effects is from an inductor a
device often made with wire wrapped around an
iron core.
This effect shows up in transformers, induction
motors, and magnetic fluorescent ballasts, for
example.
Power in these AC systems is much more
complicated.

Power Triangle
We sometimes show this power relationship in
the form of a triangle, called the Power Triangle,
to show this more complicated relationship.

kVA
kVAR

kW

 In the power triangle, the horizontal leg is

the real power in kW.
Real power does real work, as in an
induction motor with its shaft work.

The vertical leg of the triangle is the

reactive power in kVAR kilovolt
amperes reactive.
The reactive power is physically present, but
it does not do real work.
In the case of an induction motor, the
reactive power is the power that magnetizes
the motor windings, and helps the motor
start and develop running torque.

 The hypotenuse of the triangle is the total

or apparent power in kVA. All electric
systems have capacities that are rated in
kVA.
Commonly we hear someone talk about
a 500 kW distribution panel, but this is
not correct. It is a 500 kVA distribution
panel.

 The power triangle is a right triangle, and

the relationship between the kW, the
kVAR, and the kVA is given by the
Pythagorean Theorem:
kW2 + kVAR2 = kVA2
Also, in this triangle, the ratio of kW to
kVA is given the name Power Factor.
PF =kW/kVA

 For a DC power system there is no

reactive power, and thus no power
triangle.
In addition, for DC power systems the
power factor is always 1.0, or 100%.
In AC power systems, pure resistive
loads such as incandescent lights,
resistance space heaters, resistance
water heaters and electric ovens all have
power factors of 1.0 or 100%.

Example
An AC induction motor has the following
power triangle. Verify the relationship
between kW, kVAR and kVA. What is the
power factor of the motor?
50 kVA

40 kW

30 kVAR

Solution
kW2 + kVAR2 = kVA2
(40)2 + (30)2 = (50)2
1600 + 900 = 2500
2500 = 2500
Yes, the relationship is verified.
The power factor of the motor is found from
the ratio of kW to kVA:
PF = kW/kVA = 40/50 = 80%

Power in Single Phase Systems

Most residential and small commercial
buildings only have single phase AC 220
volt power available.
Devices like full house air conditioners,
electric hot water heaters, and electric
clothes dryers are almost always operated
on 220 volts AC, single phase.

Power in Single Phase Systems

For single phase AC systems, the
equation for the electric power used is:
P = V I PF
Where P = real power in watts
V = voltage in volts
I = current in amperes
PF = power factor

Example
Find the real power drawn by a 220 volt AC,
single phase electric resistance water heater,
if it is drawing 20 amps of current.

Solution:
Since the water heater is an electric
resistance device, its power factor is 100%.
Thus, the real power drawn is:
P = V I 1.0 = (220)(20)(1.0)
= 4400 watts
= 4.4 kW

Power in Three Phase Systems

Almost all electric motors over 2 kW, as well
as all large pieces of electrical equipment in a
facility, run on three phase power.
The equation for the power drawn by a
general three phase load is:
P = 3 V I PF watts

Example
A three phase, 380 volt electric motor draws
100 amperes, and has a power factor of 87%.
How much real power is the motor using?

Solution
P = 3 V I PF watts
= 1.732 x 380 x 100 x 0.87 watts
= 57,259.9 watts
= 57.3 kW

References for Basic Electrical

Systems

Tom Igoe, Interactive Telecommunications Program, New

York University, http://www.itp.nyu.edu/tigoe, Brooklyn, NY,
2003.

Motors and Voltages, Cowern Papers, Motorsanddrives.com.

A+ Certification: The Basics of Electronics

Adapted From: A+ Certification For Dummies, 2nd Edition,
Volts, Amps, and Watts: What are they?

Energy Education: Concepts and Practices, Wisconsin Energy

Education Program, KEEP.

John Fetters, An Introduction to Electricity for Energy

Managers, Energy User News, August 2002

Guide to Energy Management, 4th Edition, Capehart, Turner

and Kennedy, Fairmont Press, Lilburn, GA, 2003.