Laboratory Report

Current Ratings of Fuses and MCBs

EEX4332

Electrical Power
Lab 02

By

E.M. Chamaka Piyumal

220270203

Submitted to

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Faculty of Engineering Technology

The Open University of Sri Lanka

at

Colombo Regional center

on

06.09.2022
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

To study the operation of rewirable fuses & MCBs

 APPARATUS

1. (0-10 A, AC) Ammeter 1no.

2. 6A MCB 1no.
3. 5A rewirable fuse 1 no.
4. Stopwatch 1 no.
5. Leads.
6. Practical board 1 no.
7. Lamp loads
 PROCEDURE

Experiment 1-I: Current ratings of fuses

• The connections of the circuit board were identified.
• The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 02 and the load was adjusted until
two times the rated current of the fuse goes through the circuit.
• The fuse was connected to the circuit board and the switch was kept open.
• The switch was closed to pass this current through the fuse and the stopwatch
was started simultaneously.
• The current and corresponding time taken to blow the fuse was noted.
• Then the current was decreased and fusing times for different fusing currents
were obtained.
Experiment 1- II: Current rating of MCBs

• The connections of the circuit board were identified.

• The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 02 and the load was adjusted
until the two-times rated current of the MCB goes through the circuit.
• The MCB was connected to the circuit board and the switch was opened.
• Then the switch was closed, and the stopwatch was started simultaneously.
• The current and corresponding time taken trip-off the MCB was noted.
• Similarly, operating times for different operating currents were obtained.
 OBSERVATIONS

Experiment1-I: Current rating of fuses

Table01: Current rating of fuses

Current (A) Time taken to blow out the fuse (S)

Experiment 1-1I:Current rating of MCBs

Current(A) Time taken to trip-off the MCB (S)
11.36 76
10.83 63
10.06 162
9.27 309
 RESULTS
Experiment 1-I: Current rating of fuses
1. Calculate the fusing factor

2. Plot the currents vs time curves for the fuse

Experiment 1-II: Currentratingof MCBs

1. Calculate the tripping factor.

2. Plot the current vs. time curves for the MCB
 Discussion
Q1) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the MCBs and fuses?

Advantages and Disadvantages of MCB

§ MCB's is quick work against short circuit.

§ MCB's is work quickly on overloading and under voltage.
§ The performance of MCB's is good in case of earth leakage.
§ It is reliable.
§ In case of surge current, the MCB has a time-delay characteristic, therefore it
works properly.
§ The cost of MCB is greater than fuse.
§ The cost of on MCB distribution board is greater than rewire able fuse board.
§ The risk of overloading of circuits due to unqualified persons operating than is
completely removed.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fuse
• Fuse is cheapest type of protection in an electrical circuit
• Fuse needs zero maintenance
• Operation of fuse is simple and no complexity is involved
• Fuse has the ability to interrupt enormous short circuit current without
producing noise, flame, gas or smoke
• The operation time of fuse can be made much smaller than operation of circuit
breaker. It is the primary protection device against short circuits

• It affords current limiting effect under short-circuit conditions

• Fuse inverse time current characteristic has the ability to use for over-load
protection

• During short circuit or overload once fuse blows off replacing of fuse takes time.
During this period the circuit lost power
• When fuses are connected in series it is difficult to discriminate the fuse unless
the fuse has significant size difference
Q2) What are the most common types of electrical faults in domestic systems and
what protections for these faults?

A short circuit fault (fault between the phase conductor and non-current carrying
metallic sections of an electrical equipment) caused by overheating would allow
large currents to flow and might destroy wires, insulators, switches, and other
components.

Insulation failure (fault between the phase conductor and non-current carrying
metallic parts of an electrical equipment) will lead to high voltages appearing on the
equipment frames, which may be harmful to a person.

As a result, all electrical wire systems and all electrical apparatus linked with wiring
must be secured against:
• avert fire or shock damage
• ensure supply continuity
• Disconnect the malfunctioning equipment from the rest of the system;
• Prevent damage to wiring and equipment.
• Reduce system disruptions during fault circumstances.

The following are the most popular safety measures:

• Earthing or grounding of equipment
• Using fuses or circuit breakers (such as the Miniature Circuit Breaker, or MCB).
• Using circuit breakers to prevent earth leakage and residual current.
 Laboratory Report

Power factor correction in AC circuits

EEX4332

Electrical Power
Lab 02

By

E.M. Chamaka Piyumal

220270203

Submitted to

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Faculty of Engineering Technology

The Open University of Sri Lanka

at

Colombo Regional center

on

06.09.2022
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
To observe the operational characteristics of a fluorescent lamp and the need and
effect of power factor correction in an AC circuit
 APPARATUS

1. Fluorescent lamp 1 no.

2. (0-1A), AC Ammeter 2 no.
3. (0-230V), AC Voltmeters 3 no.
4. Leads
5. 2 Pin Plugs (5A) 1 no.
6. 4 uF Capacitors 2 no.
7. 2 uF Capacitors 2 no.
 PROCEDURE

Experiment 2-I:Fluorescent lamp

• The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 01 and it was switched on.
• Then the supply voltage, voltage across the starter, the voltage across the choke
and total current was measured
Experiment 2-II: Fluorescent lamp with capacitor

• The fluorescent lamp was connected with the capacitor as shown in Figure 2 and
the switch was turned on.
• Then the total current and the supply voltage were measured.
• Then the readings for three instantaneous capacitors were obtained.
 OBSERVATIONS

Experiment 2-I: Fluorescent lamp

V1 = 234.5 V2 = 120.5 V3 = 166.7 A1 = 0.21

Experiment 2-II: Fluorescent lamp with capacitor

Table 1:

Capacitor Supply Voltage Voltage Total Current

(uF) voltage across the across the Current through the
V1(V) starter choke A1(A) capacitor(A)
V2(V) V3(V)
2 235.1 119.5 170.4 0.21 0.12
4 231.8 122.5 164.2 0.20 0.26
6 231.8 124.5 163.5 0.20 0.41
8 232.3 123.3 163.8 0.20 0.58
 RESULTS
Experiment 2-1: Fluorescent lamp
1. Draw the equivalent circuit and phasor diagram of the circuit after the lamp has
ignited
2. Calculate the power factor of the lamp, power consumed by the tube, and the
power consumed by the choke.
Experiment 2-II: Fluorescent lamp with capacitor

1. Calculate the corrected new power factors for each set of readings mentioned in
Table1
 DISCUSSION
Q1) Discuss the functions of the starter and the choke.

At first, the choke's duty is to create a very high voltage between the filaments
(across the two ends of the tube light). After the gas in the tube has been ionized, the
choke delivers a low voltage once more. A choke is a wire coil.

Mercury vapor may be found in fluorescent lights and tubes. They employ an electric
charge to ignite mercury atoms, which creates ultra violet light. A glow starter, also
known as a starter, is used in the circuit to deliver an initial current to the filaments of
a tube light.

Fluorescent lights and tubes may contain mercury vapor. They use an electric charge
to burn mercury atoms, resulting in ultra violet light. A glow starter, also known as a
starter, is used in a circuit to supply an initial current to a tube light's filaments.
 Laboratory Report

Measurement of Power and Energy

EEX4332

Electrical Power
Lab 02

By

E.M. Chamaka Piyumal

220270203

Submitted to

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Faculty of Engineering Technology

The Open University of Sri Lanka

at

Colombo Regional center

on

06.09.2022
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
To study the measurement of power and energy using Universal Watt meters,
Wattmeters, and energy meter.
 APPARATUS

1. 400 V Variac 1 no.

2. Voltmeter 3 no.
3. Ammeter 3 no.
4. Universal Watt meter 1 no.
5. Wattmeters 3 no.
6. KWh meter 1 no.
7. Resistive, Inductive, and Capacitive loads
8. Leads
 PROCEDURE

Experiment 3-I: Measurement of active and reactive power of a

single-phase system

• The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 1.

• The load was changed as mentioned in Table 1.
• The readings of the Universal watt meter, Voltmeter and Ammeter were
recorded.

Experiment 3-II: Measurement of the active power of a three-

phase, 4-wire system

• The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 2.

• The load was changed as mentioned in Table 2
• The readings of the Watt meter, Voltmeter and Ammeter were recorded.
Experiment 3-III: Measurement of energy consumption using of
kWh meter

• The circuit was connected as shown in Figure3.

• The energy meter reading was recorded at t=0
• The load was changed as mentioned in the Table3
• The energy meter reading at the end of practical was recorded.
 OBSERVATIONS
Experiment3-I: Measurement of active and reactive power of a
single-phase system
R (W) L (H) C(µF) Voltage Current(A) Active Reactive Apparent
(V) power power power
220 0 0 230 1.01 240 0
680 1.6 0 231 0.19 40 30
1500 0 2 231.8 0.24 35 30
3000 1.6 2 232 0.18 15 30

Experiment 3-II: Measurement of active power of a three-phase,

4-wire system
Resistive load (W) Voltage(V) Current(A) Power(W)
Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 V1 V2 V3 Line 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 1 Line 2 Line 3

220 220 220 238 235.5 233.5 1.04 1.04 1.04 240 40 240
220 680 220 235.5 233.8 232.2 1.04 0.33 1.04 240 80 240
220 680 680 235.6 234.2 231.6 1.04 0.33 0.33 240 80 80
220 680 1500 234.2 232.7 233 1.04 0.33 0.15 240 80 40

Experiment 3- III: Measurement of energy consumption using of

kWh meter

Energy meter reading at start = 24.7

Energy meter reading at end = 24.95

Table 3:
Duration(min) Load (W)
5 900
8 800
2 700
5 600
5 500
 CALCULATION AND RESULTS

Experiment 3-1: Measurement of active and reactive power of a

single-phase system

1. Calculate the power factor for each set of readings in Table1

2. Calculate the apparent power of each set of reading using Voltmeter and Ammeter
readings and then active and reactive power
3. Draw the power triangle for each set of readings.

4. Calculate the accuracy for each set of readings.

Experiment 3-II: Measurement of the active power of a three-
phase, 4-wire system

1. Calculate the active power taken from each phase by using voltmeter and ammeter
readings in Table 2
2. Calculate the total power taken from the system for each set of readings in Table 2
3. Calculate the accuracy of the readings of the measurement
Experiment 3-III: Measurement of energy consumption using
kWh meter

1. Draw the load duration curve and measure the total energy consumption for that
period
2. Calculate the energy consumption given by the energy meter

3. Find the accuracy of the measurement

 DISCUSSION

Experiment 3-1: Measurement of active and reactive power of a

single-phase system

1. Discuss the effects of capacitors on power factor

The term "power factor" refers to "the ratio of working power to perceived power."
The formula below can be used to show this.

KW/KVA = PF

This power factor is also used to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of
electricity consumption (electrical energy).
A high PF helps both the customer and the utility, whereas a low PF indicates
wasteful power consumption. Capacitors are devices used to correct PF. It boosts the
PF since capacitance's effects are inverse to those of inductance. The VA rating of a
capacitor specifies how much reactive power it can produce.
A capacitor may also counteract magnetic current, help in the reduction of losses in
the electrical distribution system, and cut power costs.
A capacitor compensates for lagging current by producing leading current.

2. Briefly describe the reasons for the error behind the readings of the Universal
Wattmeter
The amount of inaccuracy is referred to as measurement error. Accuracy refers to the
degree of agreement between a measured value and a true or accepted value. We
determine the "Relative errors" in the measurement using the formula below.

(measured value - anticipated value)/expected value

Measurement errors can be classified as "random" or "systematic." Depending on the

measurement technique

Mainly,
• Environmental influences, such as temperature variations, electronic
noise, or other affects from nearby equipment.

• Instrument resolution - Because all instruments have finite precision,

their ability to discern slight measurement differences is limited.

• Instrument drift – Most electronic equipment's measurements drift with

time.
Some measuring instruments need time to reach equilibrium, and taking a
measurement before the device is stable will result in an inaccurate measurement.

However, employing the program simplified the experiment design significantly. It

was also discovered that there was a little difference in the findings of the manually
performed experiment and those created by software, with the latter giving more
accurate results.

A common example is taking a power measurement reading with a Walt meter, and
personal mistakes come from carelessness. Techniques or a poor experimenter's part

Experiment 3-II: Measurement of the active power of a three-

phase, 4-wire system

1. Describe how the three-watt meters are connected for the power measuring in a
delta-connected resistive load.

In alternating current circuits, a wattmeter is used to measure power. A wattmeter has

two coils: the potential coil (PC) and the current coil (CC) . The current flowing
through a high resistance potential coil connected to a load is inversely proportional
to the potential difference between the coil and the load. A low resistance current coil
is linked in series with the load.

Method of Three Watt meters

This approach is used to measure power in three-phase, three-wire circuits. The
graphic depicts the relationship. Because the neutral wire is shared by all three
phases, each wattmeter measures power in its own phase, and total power is
derived by adding the three wattmeter numbers.

Power measurement via the three wattmeter method is exceedingly challenging when
used to circuits with delta connections because the phase coils of the load must be
broken in order to access the wattmeter's current coils.
The following are the advantages of delta connections: More torque equals more
efficiency. Used in rotatory conveyors, basic motor design, heavy-duty use, simple
and low-cost protection

When adopting a delta connection, less current is required per winding for the same
power output. The transformer secondary delivers all three phases and is inexpensive
to build.
Delta connections have the following drawbacks: there is no common neutral point,
diagnosing earth ground defects is difficult, and the connection is low voltage.