3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Steps to be followed while solving a problem on

three-phase circuits:
(i) Assume supply voltage as line voltage.
(ii) Indentify the type of load, i.e., whether star or delta connected
and determine the phase voltage.
(iii) Determine the phase current as, Iph =

V ph
Z ph

(iv) Determine the line current depending on whether the load is

star or delta connected.
(v) The phase angle, is the angle between Vph and Iph.

Calculate its value from Zph.

Q.1) Three coils, each having resistance and inductance of 8

and 0.02 H respectively, are connected in star across a threephase, 230 V, 50 Hz supply. Find the line current, power factor,
power, reactive volt-amperes and total volt-amperes.
Data :

R=8
L = 0.02 H
VL = 230 V
= 50 Hz
For a star-connected load,
=

230
3

= 132.79 V

= 2 = 2 50 0.02 = 6.28
1

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

= +
= 8 + 6.28 = 10.17 < 38.13
= 10.17

= 38.13

Power factor = (38.13) = 0.786()

=

132.79
10.17

= 13.05

= = 13.05
=

3 = 3 230 13.05 0.786 = .

3 230 13.05 sin(38.13) = .

3 =

3 230 13.05 = .

Q. 2) Three similar coils A, B and C are available. Each coil has a

9 resistance and a 12 reactance. They are connected in delta
to a three-phase, 440 V, 50 Hz supply. Calculate for this load the
(i) phase current, (ii) line current, (iii) power factor, (iv) total kVA,
(v) active power, and (vi) reactive power. If these coils are
connected in star across the same supply, calculate all the above
quantities.

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

Data :

INTERCONNECTION

R=9

f = 50 Hz

XL = 12

VL = 440 V

SOLVED

For a delta-connected load,

VL = Vph = 440 V
ph =9+j12 = 1553.13
Zph = 15
= 53.13
Iph =

400

= 29.33 A

15

IL= 3 Iph= 3 x 29.33 = 50,8 A

Power factor = cos = cos (53.13) = 0.6 (lagging)
S = 3 V L IL
= 3 x 440 x 50.8 = 38.71 kVA
P = 3 VLIL cos
= 3 x 440 x 50.8 x 0.6 = 23.23 kW
Q = 3 VLIL sin
= 3 x 440 x 50.8 x sin(53.13)= 30.97 kVAR
If these coils are connected in star across the same supply,
Vph =

440
3

= 254.03 V

Zph = 15
Iph =

254.03
15

= 16.94 A

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

IL = Iph = 16.94 A
Power factor = 0.6 (lagging)
S = 3 V L IL =

3 x 440 x 16.94 = 12.91 kVA

P = 3 V L IL =

3 x 440 x 16.94 x 0.6 = 7.74 kW

Q = 3 VLIL sin
=

3 x 440 x 16.94 x 0.8 = 12.33 kVAR

Q. 3) A 415 V, 50 Hz, three-phase voltage is applied to three starconnected identical impedances. Each impedance consists of a
resistance of 15 a capacitance of 177 F and an inductance of
0.1 henry in series. Find the (i) phase current, (ii) line current, (iii)
power factor, (iv) active power, (v) reactive power, and (vi) total
VA. Draw a neat phasor diagram. If the same impedances are
connected in delta, find the (i) line current, and (ii) power
consumed.
Data :

VL = 50Hz

f = 50 Hz

R = 15

C = 177F

L = 0.1 H
For a star-connected load,
Vph =

415
3

= 239.6 V

XL = 2fL = 2 x 50 x 0.1 =31.42

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

XC =

2fL

1
2 x 50 x 177 x 106

SOLVED

= 17.98

ph = R + jXL - jXC = 15 + j31.42 - j17.98

= 15 + j13.44 = 20.14 41.860
Zph = 20.14

=41.68

Power factor = cos = cos (41.86) = 0.744 (lagging)

Iph =

239.6
20.14

= 11.9 A

IL = Iph = 11.9 A
P =
Q =

3 VL IL cos= 3 x 415 x 11.9 x .744 = 6.36 kw

3 VL IL sin= 3 x 415 x 11.9 x sin (41.860)

Q = 5.71 KVAR
S =
S=

3 V L IL
3 x 415 x 11.9 = 8.55 Kva

Phasor Diagram:

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

If the same impedances are connecte in delta

VL = Vph = 415 V
Zph = 20.14
Iph =

415
20.14

= 20.61 A

IL =

3 Iph =

P=

3 VL IL cos =

3 x 20.61 = 35.69 A
3 x 415 x 35.69 x .744

P = 19.09 kW
Q.4) Three similar choke coils are connected in star to a threephase supply. If the line current is 15A, the total power consumed
is 11 kW and the volt-ampere input is 15 kVA, find the line and
phase voltages, the VAR input and the reactance arid resistance
6

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

of each coil. If these coils are now connected in delta to the same
supply, calculate phase and line currents, active and reactive
power.
Data:

IL = 15 A

P = 11 kW

S = 15 kVA
For a star-connected load,
S = 3 V L IL
15 x 103 = 3 x VL x 15
VL = 577.35 V

Vph =

cos =

577.35

= 333.33V

11 10 3
15 10 3

= 0.733

= 42.860
Q = 3 VL IL sin = 3 x 577.35 x 15 x sin (42.860) = 10.2 kVAR
Iph = IL = 15A
Zph =

333.33
15

= 22.22

R = Zph cos = 22.22 X 0.733 = 16.29

XL = Zph sin
= 22.22 x sin (42.86) = 15.11
If these coils are now connected in delta,
Vph =VL = 577.35V
Zph = 22.22
7

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

Iph =

577.35
22.22

SOLVED

= 25.98 A

IL = 3 Iph
= 3 x 25.98 = 45 A
P = 3 VL IL cos
= 3 x 577.35 x 45 x 0.733 = 32.98 kW
Q = 3 VL IL sin
= 3 x 577.35 x 45 x sin (42.860) = 30.61 kVAR

Q. 5) A 3, star connected source feeds 1500 kw at 0.85 pf lag to

a balanced delta connected load. Calculate the current, its active
& reactive components in each phase of source & load. The given
line voltage is 2.2kV.
= 0.85()

Data : P = 1500 kW
VL = 2.2 kV
For a delta-connected load,
P = 3 VL IL cos
1500 103 =

3 2.2 103 I 0.85

IL = 463.12A

Iph =

IL
3

463.12
3

= 267.38A

Active component in each phase of the load

8

= cos

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

= 267.38 0.85 = 227.27

Reactive component in each phase of the load = sin
= 267.38 sin 1 0.85
= 267.38 0.526 = 140.85
For a star-connected source, the phase current in the source will
be the same as the line current drawn by load.
Active component of this current in each phase of the source
= 463.12 0.85 = 393.65
Reactive component of this current in each phase of the source
= 463.12 0.526 = 243.6

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Q. 6) For a balanced, three-phase Wye-connected load, the phase

voltage VR is 10045 V and it draws a line current Iy of 5
180A. (i) Find the complex impedance per phase, (ii) Draw a
power triangle and identify all its sides with magnitudes and
appropriate units. Assume phase sequence R-Y-B.
VR = = 100 - 450 V

Data:

Iy = 5180A
For a Wye-connected load,
= 100 -45V
The current IR leads current Iy by angle 120.

= 5 - 60A

100 45
5 60

= 20 15 = 19.32 +j5.18

10

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

Active power

SOLVED

P = 3 Vph Iph cos

= 3x 100 x 5 x cos (15) = 1.45 kW

Q = 3 Vph Iph sin

Reactive power

= 3 x 100 x 5 x sin (150) = 0.39 kVAR

Reactive power

S = 3 Vph Iph

.5 K
1
=
S

VA

Q=0.39K VA R

= 3 x 100 x 5 = 1.5 KVA

P=1.45K W

Q.7) Each leg of a balanced, delta-connected load consists of a

7 resistance m series with a 4 inductive reactance. The lineto-line voltages are
Eab = 2360 00
E bc = 2360 120 V
Eca = 2360 120V
Determine
(i) phase current Iab, Ibc and Ica(both magnitude and phase),
(ii) each line current and its associated phase angle.
(iii) the load power factor, and

11

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

(iv) find the impedance per phase that draws the same power at
the same power factor.
Data :

R =7
XL = 4
VL = 2360 V

For a delta-connected load,

Vph = VL = 2360 V
ph = 7 + j 4 = 8.06 29.740
Phase current Iab =
=
=
=

2360 0
8.06 29.74
2360 120
8.06 29.74
2360 120
8.06 29.74

= 292.8 29.740A
= 292.8 149.710A
= 292.8 90.260A

In a delta-connected, three-phase system, line currents lag

behind respective phase currents by 300.
IL = 3 Iph
= 3 x 292.8 = 507.14 A
ILa = 507.14 59.710A
ILb = 507.14 179.710A
ILc = 507.14 60.260A
Load power factor = cos (29.740) = 0.868 (lagging)

12

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Assuming that impedances are now connected in star, the power

per phase and power factor remains the one.
For a delta-connected load,
Power per phase = Vph Iph cos = 2360 x 292.8 x 0.868 =
599.79 kW
For a star-connected load,
Vph =

2360
3

= 1362.55 V

Power per phase = Vph Iph cos

599.79 x 103 = 1362.55 x Iph x 0.868
Iph = 507.14 A
Zph =

1362 .55
507.14

= 2.69

Q.8) A three-phase, 200 kW, 50 Hz, delta-connected induction

motor is supplied from a three-phase, 440 V, 50 Hz supply
system. The efficiency and power factor of the three-phase
induction motor are 91 % and 0.86 respectively. Calculate (i) line
currents, (ii) currents in each phase of the motor, and (Hi) active
and reactive components of phase current.
Data:

P0 = 200 kW
f

= 50Hz

VL = 440 V
= 91%
13

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

pf = 0.86
For a delta-connected load (induction motor),
Vph = VL = 440 V
Efficiency

0.91 =
Input power

200 10 3

Pi = 219.78 kW
3 cos

Pi =
219.78 X 103 =

3 x 440 x x 0.86

335.3A

Iph =

335.3
3

= 193.6A

Active component of phase current = Iphcos=193.6x0.86

=166.5 A
Reactive component of phase current = Iph sin = 193.6 x 0.51
= 98.7 A

Q.9) A 3 400 V star connected alternator supplies a 3, 112 kw

mesh connected induction motor of effieiency & pf of 0.88 and
0.86 respectively. Find (i) current in each motor phase (ii) currents
in each alternator phase (iii) active and reactive components of
current in each case.
14

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

Data:

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

VL = 400V
P0 = 112 Kw
pf = 0.86 V
= 0.88
For mesh connected load (induction motor),
Vph = VL = 440 V
Efficiency

0.88 =
Input power

112 10 3

Pi = input power = 127.27 kw

Now Pi = 3 cos

127.27 x 103 =

3 x 400 x

X 0.86

= 213.6A
=

=213.6/ 3 =123.32A

Current in star connected alternator phase will be same as

line current drawn by motor.

current in each alternator phase = 213.6 A

Active component of current in each phase of motor

= cos
= 123.32 x 0.86 = 105A

Reactive component = sin = 123.32 x 0.51 = 62.89 A of

current in each motor .

15

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

Active component

SOLVED

= 213 x 0.86

of current in each alternator = 183. 7 A

Reactive component of

= 213 x 0.51 = 108.9A

current in each alternator

Q. 10)Three identical impedances of 10 30 each are

connected in star and another set of three identical impedances of
18 60 are connected in delta. If both the sets of impedances
are connected across a balanced, three-phase 400 V supply, find
the line current, total voltamperes, active power and reactive
power.
Data :

= 10 30
= 10 30
= 400

Three identical delta impedances can be converted into

equivalent star impedances.
=

18 600
3

= 6 600

Now two star-connected impedances 10 30 and 6 60

are in parallel across a three-phase supply.
=

( 10 30) ( 6 60)
10 30+ 6 60
16

= 3.87 48.830

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

For a star-connected load,

=
=

400

= 230.94 V

230.94
3.87

= 59.67

= = 59.67
S = 3 = 3 x 400 x 59.67 = 41.34 kVA
= 3 cos = 3 x 400 x 59.67 x cos (48.830) = 27.21kW
Q = 3 sin = 3 x 400 x 59.67 x sin (48.830) = 31.12kVAR

Q. 11) Three 100 , non- inductive resistances are connected in

(a) star, and (b) delta across a 400 V, 50 Hz, three- phase supply.
Calculate the power taken from the supply in each case. If one of
the resistances is open circuited, what would be the value of total
power taken from the mains in each of the two cases?
= 400

DATA:

= 100 ,
For a star-connected load,
=

400

= 230.94
230.94
100

= 2.31

= = 2.31
17

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

cos = 1
P =
= 3 400 2.31 1 = 1600.41
For a delta-connected load,
= = 400 V
=

400
100

= 3
= 3 4 = 6.93 A
= 3 cos
= 3 400 6.93 1 = 4801.24

When one of the resistors is open circuited

Stat connection

The circuit consists of two 100 resistors in

series across a 400 V supply.

Currents in lines A and C =

400
200

= 2A

Power taken from the mains = 400 2 = 800

18

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Hence, when one resistor is open circuited, the power

consumption is reduced by half.

Delta connection In this case, currents in A and C remain as

usual out of phase with each other.
current in each phase =

400
100

= 4A

power taken from mains = 2 4 400 = 320000

when one resistor is open circuited, power consumption

is

reduced by one third.

Q.12) A balanced delta-connected load having an impedance ZL

= (300+j210) ohm in each phase is supplied from a 400 V, threephase supply through a three-phase line having an impedance of
Zs=(4+j8) ohm in each phase. Find current and voltage in each of
the load.

Data : = 300 + 210

= 4 + 8
= 400
19

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Three identical delta impedance can be converted into equivalent

star impedances.
=

300+ 210
3

= 100 + 70

The circuit can be drawn as

= +
= 4 + 8 + 100 + 70
= 104 + 78 = 13036.87

For a star-connected load,

=
=
Voltage across

400

230.940
130 36.87

= .

20

= 230.94V

=1.78 36.87A

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

= 1.78 36.87 4 + 8 =
15.9226.56
= 230.94 0 15.9226.56

Voltage across

= 216.82 1.88
Voltage in each phase of the load = 216.82
Current in each phase of the load = 1.78 A

PROBLEMS BASED ON CONVERSION

Q.1. Find RAB

4
4.5

4.5
R4

R2
A

R1
R3

R6
R5

7.5

7.5
3

Converting the two delta networks to star.

21

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

R2

R4
R6

R1

A
R5

R3

R1

RC

R2

R5

R3

R4

4.5 7.5
4.5 + 7.5 + 3
7.5 3
4.5 + 7.5 + 3
4.5 3
4.5 + 7.5 + 3

0.9

2.25

= 2.25
= 1. 5
= 0.9
0.9
2.25

5.8
6
1.5

1.5

Now 5.8 || 6 = 2.95

2.25

2.95

7.45
22

2.25

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

RAB

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

7.5

Q. 2
6

1.5
4

Note

for such a network convert internal star to delta

network, do not do vice versa until explicitly mentioned.

Converting star n/w to delta n/w we have
A

1.5
R2

R1
R3
B

C
1

we have 9 and R1 in parallel

23

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

we have 1.5 and R2 in parallel

we have 9 and R1 in parallel

R1 = 6 + 4 +

64

= 18

R2 = 6 + 3 +

63

18

13
.5

1.3 1.5
5

0.9

13.5
R3 = 4 + 3 +

43
6

= 9

The network can be simplified as in

1)

Between terminals A and B

9 || 18 = 6

2)

Between terminals B and C

1.5 || 13.5 = 1.35

Redrawing the network as simplified

below.

RAB = 6 || (1.35 + 0.9)

1.35

= 6 || 2.25
= 1.64

B
0.9
24

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Q.3
15

20

30
45

35

40

Drawing the resistance of 30 from outside

20

15
A

25

45

35

30

B
40

Converting delta network formed by resistance 20, 25

and 35 into an equivalent star network.

25

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

15

R2
45

R1
30

R3

B
D

R1 =

R2 =

R3 =

SOLVED

20 35
20 + 35 + 25

20 25
20 + 35 + 25

35 25
20 + 35 + 25

F
40

= 8.75

= 6.25

= 10.95

Redrawing the circuit, where B & D are equipotential.

A

15

6.25

8.75

10.95
30

45
40
B

By Series - Parallel Reduction

26

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

6.25

15
A
45

38.75

50.94

Now 50.94 || 38.75 = 22.01 = 2.2

22 in series with 6.25
= 22 + 6.25 = 28.25
15
A
45

28.25

parallel

45 || 28.25 = 17.35
A

A
17.35

32.35

=
B

RAB = 32.35

27

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Q.4 Find RAB

A
6

Hint convert : 3 , 5 and 8 star to delta

A

R1

R2

parallel

R3

l
lle
a
r
pa
B

Now (R2 and 5 in parallel) and (R3 and 4 in parallel)

parallel
y

Convert
X1Y1Z to
star

z
series

series

28

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

RAB = 4.23
Q.5

Find equivalent resistance between A and B.

converting star n/w formed by 3, 4 and 5 into delta
n/w.

R3
5

11.75

15.67

R1 = 5 + 4 +

R2 = 3 + 4 +

R1

54
3

54
5

= 15.67

= 9.4
29

9.4
R2

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

R3 = 5 + 3 +

53
4

SOLVED

= 11.75

Similarly, Converting star n/w formed by resistors 4, 6,

8 into network.

R6
6

13

4
26

R4 = 6 + 8 +

R5 = 4 + 8 +
R6 = 6 + 4 +

R4

68
4
48
6
64
8

17.33
R5

= 26

= 17.33
= 13

connecting the 2 delta n/w's in parallel between A & B

30

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Resistances of 9.4 and 17.33 are in parallel with a

short. its equivalent
R=0
RAB = 6.17 || 9.78 = 3.78

31

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Q.6 Find equivalent resistance between terminals x and y in

the n/w shown.

8 and 4 are in series as well as 17 and 13 are in

series as well as 17 and 13 as shown in above fig. we
have.

34

N
12
12

30

30
30
RL

12

32

Series

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

converting XMN from Similarly converting YoP

from
34

N
R1
R3

10
4

10

RX

RY

R2
M

R2

4
X

10

Delta Resistances are equal =

3

R1 = R2 = R3 =

12 12
12 + 12 + 12

Rx = Ry = Rz =

= 4 on

30 30
30 + 30 + 30

33

12
3

= 4

= 10 on

30
3

= 10

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

48

SOLVED

14

48
A

10

14

Now 48 || 14 = 10.84

10.84
4

10
X

Rxy = 4 + 10 + 10.84 = 24.84

34

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

Q.17 Find RAB

A

6
B

12

12
12

Converting internal delta n/w n/w

A
B

R1
R2

Series

R3

4
4

3
Series

35

3 PHASE CIRCUITS

INTERCONNECTION

SOLVED

6
6

C
S

C and F are equipotential SC and SF are in parallel, ll'y AC and

AF are parallel.

A
B
4

S
6

10.5

3.5
C,F

C,F

RAB = 10.5

36