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The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric principle and three-phase electric connection method

January 18, 2023

Three-phase alternating current is a form of transmission of electrical energy, referred to as three-phase electricity. The three-phase AC power supply is composed of three AC potentials with the same frequency, equal amplitude and 120° phase difference between each other. Single-phase electricity is used to supply electricity for civil and office appliances, while three-phase AC (ac) systems are widely used. Used for power distribution and direct power to higher power devices. This article describes the basic principles of a three-phase system and the differences between possible different measurement connections.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method---the difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity

Presumably, three bicycles are known to everyone, and what we are talking about today is the relationship between three bicycles. In fact, the three bicycles and the three-phase alternating current have the same operating rules. And the waveform is also consistent. Do not believe you look at the map

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Since the rotation angles of the three people's feet are exactly 120 degrees, the height of the pedals is M, so I look at the pedal positions of the three of them from the back:

Y=Msin0+Msin120+Msin240=M(sin0+sin120+sin240)=0

In other words, the sum of the pedal heights of the three people is zero.

Thus, for a single person, the pedal curve is similar to single-phase AC; for three people, the three pedal curves are similar to three-phase AC. The curve is as follows:

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

All three have done their work, making this car move on the road and getting away from me. This is not similar to three-phase AC work.

From the point of view of any person doing work, he is stepping on the pedal in a circular motion. However, from the height of the right foot and the distance from the center of the pedal mechanism, it is actually a sine wave that changes with time. This is the yellow line in the picture above.

Judging from the collective work of three people, it is the three sine wave curves of yellow, green and red in the above figure.

This is the difference between single-phase alternating current and three-phase alternating current - one person's stepping on the pedal is equivalent to single-phase alternating current, and the collective pedaling of three people is equivalent to three-phase alternating current.

We know that there are three sets of windings in the generator. The three sets of windings are wound at a spatial angle of 120 degrees, which is equivalent to three sets of pedals. The three sets of windings are led out to form three phase lines, and the common points of the three windings are brought together to form a neutral line N, which leads to a zero line.

At any time, the vertical height of the right foot pedal relative to the center point of the pedal corresponds to the magnitude of the voltage, and its absolute value varies between 1.414 times 0 to 220V.

The deviation of the vertical height of any two right foot pedals is equivalent to the line voltage, and its absolute value varies between 1.414 times 0 to 380V.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method----three-phase electric system principle and connection method

The three-phase power consists of three AC voltages of the same frequency and similar amplitude. Each ac voltage "phase" is 120° apart from the other ac voltage (Figure 1). This can be represented graphically, using waveforms and vector graphics (Figure 2).

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 1. Three-phase voltage waveform

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 2. Three-phase voltage vector

There are two reasons for using a three-phase system:

1. A three-vector voltage can be used to generate a rotating magnetic field in the motor. This makes it possible to start the motor without the need for additional windings.

2. A three-phase system can be connected to the load and the required number of copper connections (transmission loss) is half that of the other methods.

Let's look at three single-phase systems, each providing 100W of power for one load (Figure 3). The total load is 3 x 100W = 300W. To provide power, 1 amp of current flows through 6 lines, so there is 6 units of losses. It is also possible to connect three power supplies to a common backhaul, as shown in Figure 4. When the load current in each phase is the same, the load is considered to be balanced. In the case of load balancing, and the three current phases are shifted by 120° from each other, the sum of the currents at any point in time is zero, and there is no current in the return line.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 3. Three single-phase power supplies - 6 unit losses

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 4. Three-phase power supply, balanced load - 3 unit losses

In a three-phase 120° system, three wires are required to transmit power, while in other modes six wires are required. The required number of copper cables is reduced by half and the wire transmission losses are also halved.

Y-joint or star connection

A three-phase system with a common connection is generally shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 5 and is referred to as a "Y or star" connection.

A common point is called a neutral point. For safety reasons, this point is usually grounded on the power supply. In practice, the load is not perfectly balanced, and the current is transmitted using the fourth "neutral" line. Neutral conductors may be much smaller than the three main conductors if allowed by local regulations and standards.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 5. Y-connection or star connection - three-phase four-wire

Delta connection

The three single-phase power sources discussed above can also be connected in series. At any point in time, the sum of the three 120° phase shift voltages is zero. If the sum is zero, then both endpoints are at the same potential and can be joined together. This connection is shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 7, using the Greek letter Δ, called the delta connection.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 6. The sum of the instantaneous voltages at any time is zero

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 7. Delta connection - three-phase three-wire

Comparison of Y-shaped connection and delta connection

The Y-connection is used to power everyday single-phase devices used in homes and offices. A single phase load is connected to one leg of the Y-shape between the line and the neutral. The total load for each phase is shared as much as possible to provide a balanced load for the main three-phase power supply.

The Y-junction also provides single or three phase power for higher power loads at higher voltages. The single phase voltage is a phase to neutral voltage. A higher phase-to-phase voltage is also provided, as shown by the black vector in Figure 8.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 8. V phase-phase = √3 x V phase-neutral

The most common case of delta connection is to power a three-phase industrial load with higher power. However, by connecting or "striping" along the transformer coil, different voltage combinations can be obtained from the three-phase delta power supply. For example, in the United States, a 240V delta system can have split or center tap coils that provide two 120V supplies (Figure 9). For safety reasons, the center tapping point can be grounded on the transformer. Between the center tap and the third "high" of the delta connection, a voltage of 208V is also provided.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 9. Delta connection with "phase separation" or "center tap" coil

Power measurement

In an AC system, power is measured using a power meter. The modern digital sampling power meter multiplies the instantaneous samples of multiple voltages and currents to calculate the instantaneous power, and then takes the average of the instantaneous power in one cycle to indicate the active power. The power meter accurately measures active power, apparent power, reactive load, power factor, harmonics, etc. over a wide range of waveforms, frequencies, and power factors. In order for the power analyzer to provide good results, the wiring configuration must be properly identified and the power analyzer properly connected.

Single phase power meter connection

Only one power meter is required, as shown in Figure 10. The connection between the system and the power meter voltage terminal and current terminal is straightforward. The voltage terminals of the power meter are connected in parallel through the load, and the current is input through a current terminal connected in series with the load.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 10. Single-phase two-wire and DC measurements

Single phase three phase connection

In this system, as shown in Figure 11, a voltage is generated from a centrally tapped transformer coil, all voltages being in phase. This is common in residential applications in North America, where a 240 V power supply and two 120V power supplies are provided, with different loads on each leg line. To measure total power and other quantities, connect two power meters as shown in Figure 11.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 11. Single-phase three-wire

Browndale's theorem: the number of power meters required

In a single phase system, there are only two wires. Power is measured using a power meter. In a three-wire system, two power meters are required, as shown in Figure 12.

In general, the number of required power meters = number of lines - 1

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 12. Three-wire Y-shaped system

Verify the three-phase Y-shaped system

The instantaneous power measured by the power meter is the product of the instantaneous voltage and current samples.

Power meter 1 reading = i1 (v1 - v3)

Power meter 2 reading = i2 (v2 - v3)

The sum of readings W1 + W2 = i1v1 - i1v3 + i2v2 - i2v3

= i1v1 + i2v2 - (i1 + i2) v3

(According to Kirchhoff's law, i1 + i2 + i3 = 0, so i1 + i2 = -i3)

2 readings W1 + W2 = i1v1 + i2v2 + i3v3 = total instantaneous power.

Three-phase three-wire connection - two power meter methods

When there are three wires, two power meters are required to measure the total power. Connect the two phases to the voltage terminals of the power meter according to the method shown in the figure.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 13. Three-phase three-wire, two power meter methods

Three-phase three-wire connection - three power meter methods

As mentioned earlier, although only two power meters are required to measure the total power in a three-wire system, it is sometimes convenient to use three power meters. In the connection shown in the figure, a false neutral is created by connecting the low voltage terminals of all three power meters together.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 14. Three-phase three-wire (three power meter methods, setting the analyzer to three-phase four-wire mode)

The advantage of the three-wire three-power meter connection is that it indicates the power of each phase (which is not possible in the connection of the two power meters) and the phase-to-neutral voltage.

Three-phase four-wire connection

Measuring the total power in a four-wire system requires three power meters. The measured voltage is the true phase voltage. By using vector math operations, the phase-to-phase voltage can be accurately calculated from the amplitude and phase of the phase voltage. Modern power analyzers also use Kirchol's law to calculate the current flowing through the neutral line.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

Figure 15. Three-phase four-wire (three power meter methods)

Configuration measuring device

When the number of lines is constant (N), N-1 power meters are required to measure the overall power quality, such as power. (http://Copyright) You must ensure that you have a sufficient number of channels and are connected properly.

Modern multi-channel power analyzers will use the corresponding built-in formulas to directly calculate overall power quality such as watts, volts, amps, volt-amperes, and power factor. The formula is chosen according to the wiring configuration, so setting up the wiring is critical to achieving good total power measurements. A power analyzer with vector function will also convert the phase voltage (or Y-shaped) component into a line voltage (or triangle) component. Only use factor √3 for inter-system conversion or for measurement calibration with only one power meter on a balanced linear system.

Three-phase five-wire system

The three-phase five-wire system includes three phase lines (A, B, and C lines), a neutral line (N line), and a ground line (PE line) of three-phase power.

The neutral line (N line) is the zero line. When the three-phase load is symmetrical, the current vector sum of the three-phase line flowing into the neutral line is zero, but for a single phase, the current is not zero. When the three-phase load is asymmetrical, the current vector sum of the neutral line is not zero, and the ground voltage is generated.

The difference between single-phase electricity and three-phase electricity _ three-phase electric system principle and connection method

The three-phase five-wire system is divided into TT grounding mode and TN grounding mode, and TN is specifically divided into three modes: TN-S, TN-C, and TN-CS.

TT grounding method:

The first letter T indicates that the neutral point of the power supply is grounded, and the second T is the grounding of the metal casing of the equipment. This method is commonly used in high-voltage systems. It is not suitable for high-capacity electrical appliances in low-voltage systems.

TN-S grounding method:

The letter S stands for N and PE. The metal casing of the device is connected to the PE, and the neutral point of the device is connected to N.

The advantage is that there is no current in the PE, so the metal casing of the device has zero ground potential. Mainly used for data processing, precision testing, power supply systems for high-rise buildings.

TN-C grounding method:

The letter C indicates that N and PE are combined into PEN, which is actually a four-wire power supply. Both the neutral point of the device and the metal casing are connected to N. Since N normally flows three-phase unbalanced current and harmonic current, the metal casing of the equipment has a certain voltage to the ground normally, and is usually used in a general power supply place.

TN-CS grounding method:

Part of N is separated from PE and is a four-wire and half-power supply. Used in places with poor environment.

When N and PE are separated, re-merge is not allowed.

China stipulates that the voltage (ie, line voltage) between the phase lines of the civil power supply line is 380V, and the voltage between the phase line and the ground or neutral line (ie, the phase voltage) is 220V. The entry line generally adopts a single-phase two-wire system, that is, any one of the three phase lines and the neutral line (for the zero line). In case of high-power appliances, you need to set the grounding wire yourself.

The color of the three-phase five-wire standard wire is: A line yellow, B line blue, C line red, N line brown, PE line yellow green or black.

The N line is either a zero line or a blue one.

Understanding the wiring configuration and proper connection are critical to power measurement. Familiar with common wiring systems, remember that the Browndale theorem will help you get the appropriate connections and the results you can rely on.

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