EM&T

1.

Three-Phase AC Theory

Three Phase AC Theory

1.1 Generation of Three phase emfs

Figure-1. A simple three phase generator.

Figure-1 shows the cross-section of a simple three phase generator. It consists of a
permanent magnet and three identical rectangular coils. The three coils RR YY
and BB are mechanically coupled together and makes an angle of 120 with each
other. If the three coils rotate in the anti-clockwise direction with a constant
angular velocity, they will cut the flux due to the north and south magnetic poles
and as a result alternating voltages will be induced in all the three coils.
Since all the three coils are identical and they are rotating with the same angular
velocity in the same magnetic field, the magnitude of the voltage induced in all the
three coils will have the same value. Let the terminals of the three coils are RR
YY and BB respectively. When the coil RR reaches the horizontal position (ie
with the end R pointing to north pole and the end R pointing to the South pole)
the emf induced in the coil will reach the positive maximum value.
Similarly when the coil YY reaches the horizontal position the voltage induced in
it will reach the positive maximum value. However the coil YY will reach the
horizontal position after rotating through 120 from the instant the coil RR
reaches he horizontal position.
In other words the voltage induced in the coil RR reaches the maximum value first
and the voltage induced in the coil YY reaches the maximum value 120 later.

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Hence we say the voltage induced in the coil YY lags the voltage induced in the
coil RR by 120.
Similarly the voltage induced in the coil BB lags the voltage induced in the coil
YY by an angle of 120 or lags the voltage induced in the coil RR by 240.
The waveform of the voltages induced in the three coils are shown in Figure-2
below.

Emf in
RR 1

60

Emf in
YY1

120 180

240

Emf in
BB 1

300 360 420

Figure 2. Wave form of induced voltages

From the waveforms of the generated voltages shown above it is clear that the
voltage induced in the coil YY lags the voltage induced in the coil RR by 120
and voltage induced in the coil BB lags the voltage induced in the coil YY by a
further angle of 120. Hence the equation of the instantaneous value of the
voltages induced in the three coils could be given by the following equations.

V
V
V

RR
YY
BB

= Vm sin

----------------

= Vm sin ( - 120)

= Vm sin ( - 240)

(1.1)

-----------

(1.2)

-----------

(1.3)

In the above equations VRR , VYY and VBB are instantaneous values and Vm is
the maximum value.
Phasor Diagrams

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When drawing the phasor diagram we use the rms values. The Phasor diagram in
fig-3 shows the rms values of the voltages VRR VYY and VBB induced in the three
coils RR YY and BB respectively.
VRR

VBB

VYY

Figure 3. Phasor Diagram

The coil RR is called the red phase coil and the voltage induced in it is called the
red phase voltage. The coil YY is called the yellow phase coil and the voltage
induced in it is called the yellow phase voltage. The coil BB is called the blue
phase coil and the voltage induced in it is called the blue phase voltage.
It should be remembered that only the magnitude of the three voltages VRR VYY
and VBB are equal and they differ in phase by 120.
A system of three voltages that are equal in magnitude and displaced in phase
by 120 is said to form a balanced three phase voltage.

Phase Sequence
From our previous discussion it is clear that the voltage induced in the red phase
coil reach the maximum value first, the voltage induced in the yellow phase coil

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reaches the maximum value next and the voltage induced in the blue phase coil
reaches the maximum value last. As the coil rotates this sequence of events is
repeated. The sequence in which the induced voltage in various phases passes
through their maximum values in termed phase sequence. Hence in our case when
the coils rotates in the anticlockwise direction the phase sequence is R-Y-B.
If the coils rotate in the clockwise direction then the phase sequence will be
R-B-Y.
The sequence R Y B is called the positive phase sequence and the sequence
R B Y is called the negative phase sequence.
1.2

Star Connection of Three-phase Windings

R
VRN

VBN

VYN
N

Figure 4a

Figure-4b

Figure-4b shows the three coils RR YY and BB with the terminals R, Y and B
connected together. These three terminals R, Y and B connected together form a
common terminal indicated as N in figure-4a. The common point
R N is called the
neutral. When the three coils are connected in the manner shown in figure-4 they
are said to be connected in star.
As a result of this connection the three voltages VRR VYY and VBB are renamed as
VRN , VYN and VBN respectively.
R

N
VRN

Y
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VBN

VYN

B
Y

Figure-5. Three phase star connected generator

The three coils of the three phase generator are connected in star as shown in
figure-5. The power from the generator is taken through four wires connected to
the terminals R, Y, B and N. The wires connected to the terminals R, Y and B are
called red line, yellow line and blue line respectively. The wire connected to the
terminal N is called the neutral.
The voltage between the red line and neutral is called the voltage of red with
respect to neutral and is denoted by VRN. Since VRN is the voltage induced in the
red phase coil it is also called the red phase voltage. Similarly the voltage between
the yellow line and neutral is called the voltage of yellow with respect to neutral
and is denoted by VYN. Since VYN is the voltage induced in the yellow phase coil it
is also called the yellow phase voltage. Likewise the voltage between the blue line
and the neutral is called the voltage of blue with respect to neutral and is denoted
by VBN. Since VBN is the voltage induced in the yellow phase coil it is also called
the yellow phase voltage.

Figure-6 is the Phasor diagram showing all the three phase voltages of a three
phase star connected generator.
VRN

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VBN

VYN

Figure-6. Phasor diagram showing the phase voltages.

The magnitude of the three phase voltages VRN , VYN and VBN are equal and they
are displaced in phase by 120 as shown in the Phasor diagram. The magnitude of
the phase voltage is represented by Vph.
| VRN | = | VYN | = | VBN | = Vph

--------------------

(1.4)

Line Voltage
We have already seen that the voltage between any one line and neutral is called
the phase voltage. The voltage between any two lines is called the line voltage.
The voltage between the red and yellow lines is called the voltage of red with
respect to yellow and is denoted by VRY. The voltage between yellow and blue lines
is called the voltage of yellow with respect to blue and is denoted by VYB. Similarly
the voltage between the blue and red lines is called the voltage ob blue with respect
to red and is denoted by VBR. The voltages VRY, VYB and VBR are also called red to
yellow line voltage, yellow to blue line voltage and blue to red line voltage
respectively.

Relationship between line voltage and phase voltage in star connection

VRN
VRY
VBR
VBN

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VYN

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Three-Phase AC Theory

VYB
Figure-7. Phase and line voltages.
Figure-7 shows the star-connected generator with all the line and phase voltages
marked on it. Now we are going to find out the relationship between the line and
phase voltages.
From the figure it is clear that the red to yellow line voltage is :
VRY = VRN + VNY

But VNY =

VYN

Hence
VRY = VRN + ( VYN )
---------------------- (1.5)
Similarly
VYB = VYN + ( VBN ) ---------------------- (1.6)
And
VBR = VBN + (VRN )
---------------------(1.7)
Phasor addition given by equations (1.5 ) to (1.7) is shown in figure-8 on the next
page.

VRY

VRN

-V
Y

N
-V B

VYB
N

VB

YN

VB

-VRN

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Fig-8. Phasor Diagram: Phase voltages and Line voltages.

Figure-9 shows the details of obtaining the magnitude of the line voltage VRY
VRY = VL

X
VRN
-VYN

VYN
Figure-9. Phasor addition showing the red to yellow line voltage VRY.

Let the magnitude of the line voltage VRY is represented by VRY = VL.
Remember | VYN | = VRN = VP.
From figure-9 it is clear that:
OX = VL/2
OX = Vph cos 30
Hence

ie

But cos 30 = 3
2
But OX = VL/2

OX = Vph 3
2
VL/2 = Vph 3
2

| VRY | = VL = 2 VPh 3
2

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VL = 3 VP h

-----------------------

(1.8)

Equation (1.8) is extremely important and it should be clearly understood that it

gives the relationship between the magnitude of the line voltage and the
magnitude of the phase voltage.
In a similar manner it could be shown that:
| VRY | = | VYB | = | VBR | = VL

-------------- (1.9)

A close inspection of figure-8 clearly shows that the angle between the three line
voltages VRY , VYB , and VBR is also 120.
Example:
A three phase star connected system has a line voltage of 440V. Calculate the
phase voltage.
Vph

= 440/3
= 254V

1.3 Delta Connection of Three-phase windings.

B

VBB
VRR
VYY
R

Figure-10. Delta connected three phase generator

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Figure-10 shows how the three coils RR, YY and BB are inter-connected to
form a delta connection. It could be proved, by connecting the coils in the manner
shown, there will not be any current in the closed delta circuit and the original
voltages of the three coils will remain the same as what they were before the
connection. The common point to which the terminals R and B are connected is
renamed as R. The common point to which the terminals R and Y are connected is
renamed as Y. similarly the common point to which the terminals Y and B are
connected is renamed B. See figure11.

Figure-11. Delta connected three phase generator.

From figure-11 it should be clear that the voltage between the red line and yellow
line is the same as the voltage induced in the red phase coil. Similarly the voltage
between the yellow and blue lines is the same as the voltage induced in the yellow
phase coil. Likewise the voltage between the blue and red lines is the same as the
voltage induced in the blue phase coil. Hence in the case of a delta connected
circuit the line voltage is the same as the phase voltage. So we may write:
| VRY | = | VYB | = | VBR | = VL = VPh -------------- (1.10)
1.4 Three-Phase, Four-wire, Balanced Star-connected loads

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Figure-12. Balanced star connected load

In a three-phase, four-wire system, the load has a common star-point, S, which is
connected to the neutral point of the generator by a neutral wire. The load is
described as a balanced load if the impedance in all the three phases have the
same value. Let us assume that the load is an inductive load. Since the load is
inductive the impedance angle will be positive.
Z = |Z|

Let

Select VRN as the reference phasor.

VRN = VPh 0, VYN = VPh -120 and VBN = VPh 120
The current in the red-phase impedance (red-phase current) is given by:
VPh 0

VRN
Ir =

VPh
- ---------------------

=
|Z|

(1.11)

|Z|

The current in the yellow-phase impedance (yellow-phase current) is given by:

VYN
Iy =

VPh -120

=
(1.12)
Z
|Z|

VPh
-(120 + )

---------------------

|Z|

The current in the blue-phase impedance (blue-phase current) is given by:

VPh 120

VBN
Ib =
(1.13)
Z

VPh
(120 - ) ---------------------

=
|Z|

|Z|

The phasor diagram of all the three phase voltages and phase currents are shown in
figure-13.

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Figure-13. Phasor diagram for circuit in figure-12

From the equations (1.11) to (1.13) it is clear that in the case of a balanced load
star-connected load the magnitudes of the all the three phase currents are equal.
From figure-12 it is also clear that the line currents IR, IY and IB are equal to the
phase currents Ir, Iy and Ib respectively. Hence we may write:
| Ir | = | Iy | = | Ib | = IPh = IL

----------------------- (1.14)

where IPh is the magnitude of the phase current and IL is the magnitude of the line
current. It is clear from the phasor diagram the three phase currents Ir, Iy and Ib are
displaced in phase by 120.
Power in balanced star connected load.
Since the load is balanced the power consumed by all the three phases are equal.
Hence the total power could be obtained by multiplying the power consumed by
one phase by three. Hence total power PT is given by:

ie,
But

PT = 3 VPh IPh cos

PT = 3 x 3 VPh IPh cos
3 VPh = VL and IPh = IL

Hence,

PT = 3 VL IL cos -----------------------

(1.15)

Remember equation (1.15) is applicable only for balanced star connected load.
In figure-12, the three phase currents Ir , Iy and Ib flow towards the star point S.
Hence the current flowing in the neutral should be equal to the phasor sum of I r , Iy
and Ib. However the three phase currents Ir , Iy and Ib are equal in magnitude and
displaced in phase 120 and their phasor sum is zero. Hence in the case of a
balanced star connected load the current in the neutral is zero.
NOTE: It could be proved that that the phasor sum of three phases having
equal magnitude and displaced in phase by 120 is always zero.

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1.5 Three-Phase, Three-wire, Balanced Star-connected loads

VRN
VBN
VYN

Figure-14. Three phase three wire balanced star connected load.

In the case of three-phase, 4-wire, balanced star connected load we have seen that
the current in the neutral is zero. (See figure-12) Since the current in the neutral is
zero the potential difference across its terminals must be zero. In other words the
neutral N of the generator and the star point S of the load must be at the same
potential. Hence in the case of a balanced load the neutral can be removed and it
does not make any difference to the circuit.
When the neutral in figure 12 is removed we get the circuit shown in figure 14.
In figure 14 all the three impedances are identical and the circuit is described as
three-phase, 3-wire, balanced star connected load.
From what is said above it should be clear that the three-phase, 3-wire balanced
star connected circuit is electrically the same as the three-phase, 4-wire balanced
star connected load discussed in section 1.4. Hence all the results derived
(including the phasor diagram) in section 1.4 are equally applicable for a threephase, 3-wir balanced star connected load.
1.6 Three-Phase, Four-wire, Unbalanced Star-connected loads

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Figure 15. Unbalanced 4-wire star connected load.

In this case all the three impedances are unequal. The red, yellow and blue phase
impedances are Zr, Zy and Zb respectively. Let us assume that all the three
impedances are inductive. Then:
Zr = | Zr | r,
Zy = | Zy | y and
Zb = | Zb | b
Now let us find out the current in the three impedances are Zr, Zy and Zb .
From figure-15 it is clear that the voltages across the three impedances Zr, Zy and
Zb are VRN, VYN and VBN respectively. Select VRN as the reference phasor.
VRN = VPh 0,

VYN = VPh -120

and VBN = VPh 120.

The current in the red-phase impedance (red-phase current) is given by

VPh 0

VRN
Ir =

VPh

|Zr| r

Zr

-r

---------------------

(1.16)

|Zr|

The current in the yellow-phase impedance (yellow-phase current) is given by:

VPh -120

VYN
Iy =

=
Zy

VPh
-(120 + y) ----------------

=
|Zy| y

(1.17)

|Zy|

The current in the blue-phase impedance (blue-phase current) is given by:

VBN VPh 120
VPh
Ib = ----- = ------------- = ------ (120 - b) --------------(1.18)

Zb
|Zb| b
|Zb|

Since Zr, Zy and Zb are all unequal, from equations (1.16) to (1.18) it should be
clear that the magnitude of the three phase
currents Ir , Iy and Ib are all unequal.
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Also the phase angles the currents make with the respective phase voltages are all
unequal. The phasor diagram for this case is shown in figure-16 below.

Figure 16. Phasor diagram of unbalanced star load.

Current in the neutral wire
The three phase currents Ir , Iy and Ib are all unequal and they flow towards the star
point S of the load. Since they are unequal their phasor sum will not be equal to
zero. Hence there will be a current flow in the neutral away from the star point.
This is called the neutral current and is represented by IN . Hence
IN = Ir + Iy + Ib --------------------

(1.19)

Total three phase power.

The total power taken by a three phase unbalance load is obtained by calculating
the power consumed by each phase separately and adding them together. There is
no such formula as in the case of a balanced star load.
1.7 Balanced Three-phase Delta-connected Load

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Figure 17. Balanced delta connected load.

Figure 17 shows a balanced delta connected load. The impedance that is
connected between the red and yellow lines is called the red phase impedance
and the current flowing through it is called the red phase current. The impedance
connected between the yellow and blue lines is called the yellow phase impedance
and the current flowing through it is called the yellow phase current. Similarly the
impedance connected between the blue and red lines is called the blue phase
impedance and the current flowing through it is called the blue phase current.
Now let us determine the three phase currents ( Ir , Iy and Ib ), the three line
currents ( IR, IY and IB ), the relationship between the phase and line currents and
the power taken by the circuit.
Since the load is balanced, all the three impedances are equal. Let us assume that
the impedance is inductive.
Z = |Z|

Let

Select VRY as the reference phasor.

VRY = VPh 0, VYB = VPh -120 and VBR = VPh 120
The current in the red-phase impedance (red-phase current) is given by:
VPh 0

VRY
Ir =

VPh
- ---------------------

=
|Z|

(1.20)

|Z|

The current in the yellow-phase impedance (yellow-phase current) is given by:

VYB
Iy =

VPh -120

=
(1.21)
Z
|Z|

VPh
-(120 + )

---------------------

|Z|

The current in the blue-phase impedance (blue-phase current) is given by:

VPh 120

VBR
Ib =
(1.22)
Z

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VPh
(120 - ) ---------------------

=
|Z|

|Z|
VRY
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Ir
Ib
Iy
VBR

VYB

Figure 18. Phasor diagram of balanced delta load.

The phasor diagram of all the three phase voltages and phase currents are shown in
figure-18. From equations (1.20) to (1.22) it is clear that the magnitudes of the
three phase currents are equal. Hence we may write:
| Ir | = | Iy | = | Ib | = IPh

------------------- (1.23)

where IPh is the magnitude of the phase current. From the phasor diagram in
figure-18 it clear that the magnitude of the three phase currents are equal and they
are displaced by an angle of 120.
Line currents
To get the line current IR , apply the kirchhoffs current law to the node R.
IR + I b - I r = 0
Ie

IR = Ir - Ib

------------------------ (1.24)

Similarly

IY = Iy - Ir

------------------------ (1.25)

And

IB = Ib - Iy

------------------------ (1.26)

The phasor addition represented by equations (1.24) to (1.26) to obtain the line
currents IR, IY and IB is shown in figure 19.
VRY

IB

-Iy

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17

IR

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Three-Phase AC Theory
Ib

-Ib
-Ir

Iy

VBR

VYB
IY

Figure 19. Phasor addition to obtain the line currents IR, IY and IB .
To determine the relationship between the line currents and the phase currents, a
part of the phasor diagram shown in figure-19 is reproduced in figure-20.

Figure 20. Diagram Showing phasor sum of IR.

It should be remembered that the angle between VRY and VYB is 120. The angle
between Ir and Ib is also 120. Hence angle between Ir and -Ib is 60.
| Ir | = | -Ib | = IPh.
Let |IR | = IL
From figure-20 it is clear that IL = 2 x OX
But
OX = IPh cos 30.
ie
OX = IPh x 3/2 since cos30 = 3/2
ie
IL = 2 x OX = 2 x IPh x 3/2

|IR | = IL = 3 IPh
Similarly it could be proved that |IY | = | IB | = 3 IPh
Hence in a balanced delta connected load:

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|IR | = |IY | = | IB | = IL = 3 IPh --------------

(1.27)

Also from the phasor diagram in figure-19 t should be clear the angle between the
three line currents in IR, IY and IB is 120. Hence we say in a balanced delta
connected load, the three line currents are equal in magnitude and displaced
in phase by 120.

Power in a balanced delta connected load.

Since the load is balanced, the power consumed by all the three impedances must
be equal. Hence the total power consumed could be obtained by multiplying the
power consumed by one of the impedances by three.
Total Power = 3 x power consumed by each phase.
PT = 3 Vph Iph cos
PT = 3 x Vph x 3 Iph cos
But IL = 3 Iph and Vph = VL
Hence

PT

= 3 VL IL Cos

------------------ (1.28)

1.8 Unbalanced Delta-connected Load.

Z
Figure 21. Unbalanced delta connected load.
Figure-21 shows an unbalanced delta-connected load. In this case all the three
impedances are unequal. The red, yellow and blue phase impedances are Zr, Zy and
Zb respectively. Let us assume that all the three impedances are inductive. Then:

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Zr = | Zr | r,

Zy = | Zy | y

and

Zb = | Zb | b

Now let us find out the current in the three impedances are Zr, Zy and Zb .
From figure-21 it is clear that the voltages across the three impedances Zr, Zy and
Zb are VRY, VYB and VBR respectively. Select VRY as the reference phasor.
VRY = VPh 0,

VYB = VPh -120

and VBR = VPh 120.

The current in the red-phase impedance (red-phase current) is given by

VPh 0

VRY
Ir =

VPh
-r

=
=
(1.29)
Zr
|Zr| r

---------------------

| Zr|

The current in the yellow-phase impedance (yellow-phase current) is given by:

VPh -120

VYB
Iy =

=
Zy

VPh
-(120 + y) ----------------

=
|Zy| y

(1.30)

|Zy|

The current in the blue-phase impedance (blue-phase current) is given by:

VBR VPh 120
VPh
Ib = ----- = ------------- = ------ (120 - b)
Zb
|Zb| b
|Zb|

---------------

(1.31)

Since Zr, Zy and Zb are all unequal, from equations (1.29) to (1.31) it should be
clear that the magnitude of the three phase currents Ir , Iy and Ib are all unequal.
Also the phase angles the currents make with the respective phase voltages are all
unequal. The phasor diagram for this case is shown in figure-22 below.

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Figure 22. Phasor diagram for unbalanced delta load.

Total three phase power in unbalanced delta connected load.

The total power taken by a three phase unbalance delta load is obtained by
calculating the power consumed by each phase separately and adding them
together. There is no such formula as in the case of a balanced delta load.

1.9 Measurement of power in 3-phase circuits

(a) Single Wattmeter method

Figure 23.Balanced star-connected load with single wattmeter.

Figure-23 shows the connection of a single wattmeter to measure the power taken
by the red phase. This method is suitable for a balanced load, since the power taken
by all the three phases are equal. Hence the total power could be obtained by
measuring power in one of the phases and multiplying it by three. Suppose W1 is
the reading of the wattmeter in the balanced star-connected circuit shown above
then the total three phase power PT is given by:
PT = 3 W1
(b) Three Wattmeter method
Figure-24 below shows the connection of three wattmeters to measure power in a
three phase star connected circuit. The power in each phase is measured by the
wattmeter connected to that phase. Since the power in phase is measured
separately be by the wattmeter connected to that phase, this method may be used

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for balanced or unbalanced load. The total power consumed by the circuit could be
simply obtained by adding the readings of the three wattmeters. If W1, W2 and W3
are the readings of the three wattmeters, then the total three phase power PT is
given by:
PT = W1 + W2 + W3

IR

Ir
Zr
Zb

Ib

Zy

Iy

Iy

IB
W

Figure 24. Star-connected load (balanced or unbalanced) with three wattmeters.

(c) Two Wattmeter method
The two wattmeter method of measuring power could be used for balanced as well
as unbalanced loads. To avoid the complexity and to achieve a good understanding
we will consider the two wattmeter method of measuring power in a balanced starconnected load. This method could be used even in circumstances where the
neutral is inaccessible. The circuit for measuring the power using two wattmeter
method is shown in figure-25 below.

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Figure 25. Two wattmeter method of measuring power.

Let us assume that the load balance and is inductive. Phasor diagram in figure-26
shows the phase voltages, line voltages and line currents. (in star connected load
the line current is the same as the phase current.)

Figure 26. Phasor diagram for the circuit in figure-25.

Now we are going to derive equations to obtain the total three phase power
consumed and the power factor of the circuit shown in figure 25 in terms of the
readings of the two wattmeters.
It is important to note that the reading of a wattmeter is the product of the
magnitude of voltage measured by its voltage coil, the magnitude of the
current measured by its current coil and the cosine of the angle between the
voltage and current measured by it.
Wattmeter W1, measures the line current IR (Its magnitude IL) and the voltage
across red and yellow lines VRY (its magnitude VL). From the phasor diagram it is
clear that the angle between VRY and IR is (30 + ). Hence the reading of the
wattmeter W1 is given by:
W1 = VL IL cos (30 + ) ------------------------ (1.32)

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Wattmeter W2, measures the line current IB (Its magnitude IL) and the voltage
across blue and yellow lines VBY (its magnitude VL). It should be noted that the
voltage measured by the voltage coil of wattmeter W2 is VBY and NOT VYB.
From the phasor diagram it is clear that the angle between VBY and IB is (30 - ).
Hence the reading of the wattmeter W2 is given by:
W2 = VL IL cos (30 - ) ------------------------ (1.33)
From equation (1.32)
W1 = VL IL cos (30 + )

W1 = VL IL (cos 30 cos - sin 30 sin) -----

(1.34)

From equation (1.33)

W2 = VL IL cos (30 - )

W2 = VL IL (cos 30cos + sin 30 sin)

-----

(1.35)

Adding equations (1.34) and (1.35) gives:

W1 + W2 = 2 VL IL cos 30cos
But

cos 30 = 3 / 2

W1 + W2 = 2 VL IL x 3 / 2 x cos
Hence
W1 + W2 = 3 VL IL cos
------------- (1.36).
We have already seen that the total three phase power consumed by a balanced star
connected load is 3 VL IL cos . Hence the sum of the readings of the two
wattmeters is equal to the total three phase power.
Subtracting equation (1.34) from equation (1.35) gives:
W2 - W1 = 2 VL IL sin 30 sin
But

sin 30 =
W2 - W1 = 2 VL IL x x sin

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EM&T

Three-Phase AC Theory

Hence
W2 - W1 = VL IL sin

----------------

(1.37)

Dividing equation (1.37) by equation (1.36) gives:

VL IL sin

W2 - W1
=
W1 + W2

3 VL IL cos

Simplifying and rearranging terms:

W2 - W1
tan

= 3
W1 + W2
W2 - W1
= tan

-1

------------

(1.38)

W1 + W2
Using equations (1.36) and (1.38) the total three phase power and the phase angle
could be obtained from the readings of the two wattmeters directly.
NOTE: The equations (1.32) to (1.38) are applicable ONLY for an inductive
load. You are advised to derive the equations for the capacitive
load as an exercise.

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