Unit 1 - Star and Delta Connections

Star and Delta Connections
Star and Delta Connections are the two types of connections in a 3 – phase circuits. A Star
Connection is a 4 – wire system and a Delta Connection is a 3 – wire system.
Before going in to details of the Star Connection, Delta Connection and comparing those two, let
us have a very brief note on three – phase electric power.
 A single phase system consists of just two conductors (wires): one is called the phase
(sometimes live or hot), through which the current flows and the other is called neutral,
which acts as a return path to complete the circuit.
 In a three – phase system, we have a minimum of three conductors or wires carrying AC
voltages. It is more economical to transmit power using a 3 – phase power supply when
compared to a single phase power supply as a three – phase supply can transmit three
times the power with just three conductors when compared to a two – conductor single –
phase power supply.
 Hence, most of the power generated and distributed is actually a 3 – phase power (but
majority of households will receive a single phase supply). Further, the three – phase
electric power system can be arranged in two ways. They are: Star (also called Y or Wye)
and Delta (Δ).
Star Connection
In a Star Connection, the 3 phase wires are connected to a common point or star point and
Neutral is taken from this common point. Due to its shape, the star connection is sometimes also
called as Y or Wye connection. If only the three phase wires are used, then it is called 3 Phase 3
Wire system. If the Neutral point is also used (which often it is), the it is called 3 Phase 4 Wire
system. The following image shows a typical Star Connection.
Delta Connection
In a Delta Connection, there are only 3 wires for distribution and all the 3 wires are phases (no
neutral in a Delta connection). The following image shows a typical Delta Connection.
Comparison between Star and Delta Connections
Parameter Star connection Delta connection
Each end of a star-connected wire The three conducting wires of the

is connected to a common point in delta connection are connected to
Description
the circuit, thus forming a star- each other in order to form a closed
shaped connection. loop.
The star connection consists of four

wires. Three of these are the phase Delta connection is only comprised
Number of wires wires and the fourth one is the of three-phase wires with no neutral
neutral wire connected to the wire.
ground.
The neutral wire connection is
present at the point of intersection The neutral wire is absent in the case
Neutral wire
of the three-phase wires, also called of a delta-connected circuit.
the neutral point.
Star connection circuits are used Delta connection circuits are used
Mode of
for long-distance transmission of for short-distance transmission of
transmission
electric current and power. electric current and power.
Star connections are primarily

balanced circuit connections due to Delta connections are mostly
Balanced /
the presence of the neutral wire, unbalanced circuit connections due
Unbalanced
that carries the unbalanced current to the absence of the neutral wire.
to the ground.
Relationship
The line voltage is equal to √3 The line voltage is equal in
between line
times the phase voltage in a star magnitude to the phase voltage in the
voltage and phase
connection. delta connection.
voltage
Relationship
The line current is equal in The line current is equal to √3 times
between line
magnitude to the phase current in the phase current in a delta
current and phase
the star connection. connection.
current
The rate at which delta-connected

The rate at which star-connected
power systems operate is relatively
power systems operate is relatively
Rate of operation high as the phase voltage is
slow as the phase voltage is equal
equivalent in magnitude to the line
to 58 % of the line voltage.
voltage.
The insulation requirements for the The insulation requirements for the
phase and neutral wires are phase wires are relatively more
Insulation
relatively low because the phase because the phase voltage is equal to
voltage is less than the line voltage. the line voltage.
230 volts is carried by the star 440 volts is carried by the delta
Applied voltage
connection windings. connection windings.
Star connections find their Delta connections find their

application in transmitting power application in distributing power
over long distances due to the across households in residential
Applications
balanced flow of current in it. It is areas over short distances. It is
also used for single phase and three primarily used in the high-voltage
power to consumers. transmission of power.
Line voltage, phase voltage, line current, phase current
 Line voltage in a three-phase system is the potential difference between any two lines or
phases present in the system, denoted by Vline or VL-L. The phases present here are
conductors or windings of a coil. If R, Y and B are the three phases ( red phase, yellow
phase, blue phase ) then the voltage difference between R and Y, Y and B or B and R forms
the line voltage. Phase voltage, on the other hand, is the potential difference between one
phase (R, Y or B) and neutral junction point, denoted by Vphase = VR (voltage in red phase) =
VY (voltage in yellow phase) = VB (voltage in blue phase).
 Similarly line current is the current in one phase while phase current is the current inside the
three-phase connection.
 For any polyphase system, Line voltage is defined as the voltage between two given
phase. Whereas the phase voltage is the voltage between the given phase and neutral.
The relation between line voltage and phase voltage are proportionate.
Solved Examples
1. Calculate the phase voltage if the line voltage is 460 volts, given that the system is a
three-phase balanced star connected system.
Answer: We know,
Vphase = Vline / √3 = 460 / √3 = 265.59 volts.
2. In which of the following circuit line voltage and phase voltage are equal? And what
about the line voltage and phase voltage relationship in the other circuit?
Answer: As we know, in a delta connection, the line voltage and phase voltage are equal.
While for a star connection line voltage is higher than phase voltage which is given by the
relation: Vline = √3 Vphase.
Fun Facts
 In any problem or question, the voltage given is generally line voltage. In the case of
phase voltage, it should be mentioned. If not mentioned, consider it as the line voltage.
 Our domestic three-phase power supply or 440 volts is the line voltage.
 The single-phase 230 volts AC supply is the voltage difference between a phase and the
neutral junction or rather the phase voltage.
 The polyphase system where all the line voltages and line currents are equal is known as
a three-phase balanced system. In the case of unsymmetrical loads, the system is
generally an unbalanced one.

Unit 1 - Star and Delta Connections

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Unit 1 - Star and Delta Connections

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Star and Delta Connections

Connection is a 4 – wire system and a Delta Connection is a 3 – wire system.

us have a very brief note on three – phase electric power.

which acts as a return path to complete the circuit.

 In a three – phase system, we have a minimum of three conductors or wires carrying AC

phase power supply.

and Delta (Δ).

system. The following image shows a typical Star Connection.

Parameter Star connection Delta connection

Each end of a star-connected wire The three conducting wires of the

The star connection consists of four

Star connections are primarily

The rate at which delta-connected

Star connections find their Delta connections find their

Vphase = Vline / √3 = 460 / √3 = 265.59 volts.

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