3-Phase Distribution Flow

Power distribution
configurations with three 3-

phase hot power lines
Local Distribution
-Power leaves the substation on three, three-
phase “hot” power lines that are strung adjacent to
highways or along local roads to points of use. All three
phases share a single neutral line and have the same
voltage, but they are 120 electrical degrees out of phase
with each other. The local electrical utility usually decides
where the three-phase and single-phase services are to
be located in the area that it serves.
The nominal 120/240 V power is obtained from transformers strategically
located on poles for overhead service and above ground on concrete pads or
in underground protective vaults for underground service.
Large electrical appliances such as ranges, water heaters, clothes dryers, and
air conditioners typically require 240 V, while 120 V meets the needs for
lighting, small appliances, TVs, personal computers, and convenience outlets.
However, when residences are located in an area served by a 208Y/120

V distributed secondary network, large appliances are powered by 208 V, but
lighting, small appliances, entertainment electronics, and outlets are supplied
with 120 V.
Common Power Service
Secondary circuits provide electrical power in various forms to
satisfy customer demand. These include following:
 Single-phase, three-wire, 120/240 V
 Three-phase, four-wire, 120/208 V wye-connected
 Three-phase, four-wire 120/240 V delta-connected
Single-phase, three-wire, 120/240 V
The most common distribution wiring configuration

for homes, small businesses, and farms is 120/240 V,
single-phase service.
Figure 1 – Secondary of a single-phase transformer provides 240 V across A
and B and 120 V across either A or B and the neutral.
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a distribution transformer for 120/240 V

single-phase service. The 240 V is obtained by making connections between
the two ungrounded “hot” conductors, and the 120 V is obtained by making
connections between either of the two “hot” ungrounded conductors and
the neutral (grounded) conductor.
Three-phase, four-wire, 120/208 V
wye-connected
Different voltages can be obtained with three-phase,

four-wire, 120/208-V wye-connected service, as
illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 2 – A wye-connected, three-phase, four-wire secondary
transformer can provide 120- and 208-V AC electric service
The terminal points of the three windings of a wye-connected

transformer are designated A, B, and C. The voltage between any of the
points A, B, and C and the neutral (grounded) conductor is 120 V, and
the voltage between any two of the points A to B, B to C, or C to A is 208
V.
Therefore,the following voltages can be obtained
from the wye-connected system:
 120 V, single-phase, two-wire (A to neutral, B to neutral, and C to

neutral)
 208 V, single-phase, two-wire (A to B, B to C, and C to A)
 208 V, three-phase, three-wire
 120/208 V, three-phase, four-wire
Three-phase, four-wire 120/240 V delta-
connected
A different set of output voltages can be obtained with the three-phase, four-
wire delta-connected transformer secondary as shown in the schematic
Figure 2.
The three windings are connected in series to form an equilateral

triangle or Greek letter ∆. Each of the vertices of the triangle is designated by
a letter, A, B, or C, representing one of the three phases that feed the
network. The midpoint of the winding between vertices B and C is grounded
at neutral point N.
The voltage between any two vertices A to B, B to C, and C to A is 240 V.

However, the voltage between B and neutral and C and neutral is 120 V,
while the voltage between A and neutral is 208 V.
Therefore, the following voltages can be obtained from
the delta-connected system:
 120 V, single-phase, two-wire (B to neutral and C to neutral)

 240 V, single-phase, two-wire (A to B, B to C, and C to A)
 240 V, three-phase, three-wire
 120/208 V, three-phase, four-wire
Figure 3 – A delta-connected, three-phase, four-wire secondary
transformer can provide three output voltages: 120, 208, and 240 V AC

3-Phase Distribution Flow

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Power distribution

configurations with three 3-

However, when residences are located in an area served by a 208Y/120

The most common distribution wiring configuration

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a distribution transformer for 120/240 V

Different voltages can be obtained with three-phase,

The terminal points of the three windings of a wye-connected

 120 V, single-phase, two-wire (A to neutral, B to neutral, and C to

The three windings are connected in series to form an equilateral

The voltage between any two vertices A to B, B to C, and C to A is 240 V.

 120 V, single-phase, two-wire (B to neutral and C to neutral)

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