POLY PHASE CIRCUITS

A balanced poly phase system is one in which are two (or) more equal voltages of
the same frequencies displaced equally in time phase, which supply power to loads
connected to the lines. In general, in a m-phase balanced poly phase system, these are n-
360 0 2π
equal voltages displace in time phase by or radions [Except in the case of a
Μ Μ
2-phase system, in which these are two equal voltages differing in phase by 900 ]. 3- φ
system are in common use for generation, transmission, distribution & utilization of
electric energy.
A system is said to be symmetrical (or) balanced when the various voltage are
equal in magnitude and are displaced from one another by equal angles, other wise they
are un symmetrical (or) unbalanced systems [ie., if the system is unbalanced means eithes
magnitude of voltage are different or phase angles are not equal in time phase (or) both]

Generation of A 3- φ voltage:

Three phase system generates 3- φ voltage in the some way as singles phase voltages. A
balanced 3- φ system consists of 3 equal voltage with phase difference of 1200 which
supply power. To loads connected to the lines. It the voltages are not equal (or) phase
difference is not 1200, the system is said to be un balanced. A poly phase system is
simply several single phase systems which are displaced equally in time space/phase
from one another. The letters A,B,C (or) R.Y,B (or) X,Y,Z (or)1,2,3 are generally used to
identify the three phases. Consider 3 identical coils A-A1, B-B1&C-C1 [A,B,C are the
starting ends of the coil and A1,B1,C1 are the finishing ends of the coils] mounted on the
rotor with their axis 1200 apart from each other as shown in figure (A).

ea = E m sin wt ; ed = E m sin( wt − 120 0 ) ; ec = E m sin( wt − 240 0 )

Or ea = E m
Where Em is maximum voltage.
 For a balanced three phase voltage, the sum of the three voltage at any instant is
zero. Let ea, eb, ec are the three phase voltages,
ea + eb + ec = E m sin ut + E m sin( wt −120 0 ) + E m sin( wt −120 0 )
= E m sin wt + E m [sin wt cos 120 0 − cos wt sin 120 0 ]
+ E m [sin wt cos 240 0 − cos wt sin 240 0 ]
=0
Phase sequence:
It is the order in which the phase voltage will attain maximum values. From the
figure(c) it is seen that the voltage in ‘A’ phase will attain maximum value first and
followed by ‘B’&’C’ phase. Hence the phase sequence is A-B-C. this is evident from
pharos diagram fig(3). The phase sequence depends on the direction of rotation of the
coils in the magnetic field. If the coils rotate in the opposite direction then the phase
voltages attains maximum values in the order A-C-B. the phase sequence gets recessed
with direction of rotation. Then the voltage for this sequence can be represented as,

Advantages of poly phase systems:

• A poly phase transmission line requires less conductors material than a 1- φ line
for transmission of same amount of power at the same voltage.
• For a given frame size a poly phase m/c gives a higher out put than a 1- φ m/c .
(m/c machine)
• Poly phase motors have uniform torque where as most of the 1- φ motors have a
pulsating torque
• Poly phase inductor motors are self-starting and are more efficient. On the other
hand 1- φ induction motors are not self starting and are less efficient.
• Poly phase motors has good power factor than 1- φ motors has poor power
factor.

Winding connections:
 Three phase winding have 6 terminals ie., A, B,C are starting terminal / ends of
the winding & A1,B1,C1 are the finishing terminals/ ends of the winding. For 3- φ
systems two types of common inter connections are employed.

Star (Y) connection:

The finishing ends (or) starting ends of the 3- φ winding are connected to a
common point as shown in figure below.

A1,B1,C1 are connected to a common point called neutral point the outer ends A,B,C are
called line terminals.

Delta (∆) connection:

In this form of inter connection, the dissimilar end s of the 3- φ winding ie.,
A&B , B&C1, C&A1 are connected to form a closed ‘∆’ circuits [ starting end of one
1

phase is connected to finishing end of the next phase]. The three junctions 3- φ, 3 wire ,
∆-connection are brought out sides as line terminals A,B,C. the three phase windings are
connected in series & form a closed path.
The sum of the voltage in the closed path for balanced system of voltage at any
instant will be zero.

→
The main advantage of y-connection is that we can have two different 3- φ
voltages. The voltage across the line terminals b/n A&B, B&C and C&A are called line
voltages & form a balanced 3- φ voltages. Another voltage is b/n the terminals A&N,
B&N and C&N are called phase voltage & form another balanced 3- φ voltages[line to
neutral voltage (or) y voltages ]
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