Experiment 5 Lab Manual
American International University- Bangladesh
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE3110: Engineering Shop Laboratory
Title: 3φ Main distribution system
Abstract:
The purpose of this experiment is to become familiar with the three-phase distribution boards
supplying various three-phase loads and single-phase loads.
Theory:
Three-phase Supplies:
The mains 400 / 230V supply is derived from a substation transformer. The transformer
secondary windings are connected in star as shown in figure 1. The star point provides a neutral
for the system. The star point is earthed by the Supply Authority.
Three-phase Four Wire Distribution System:
Figure 1 illustrates a typical three-phase four-wire distribution system.
Note: The star point and neutral of the transformer secondary winding is earthed.
Typical Three-phase Four Wire Distribution System
E L1 L1
Line
Star Voltage
Point 400 V
N
L3 L2 L2
Transformer
Secondary
Winding
Line Line
Voltage Voltage
400 V 400 V
L3
Phase Phase Phase
Voltage Voltage Voltage
230 V 230 V 230 V
Figure 1
Phase Voltage (UPh)
This is the voltage of each phase conductor with respect to the neutral conductor. It is illustrated
in Figure 1. The value of each phase voltage is 230 Volts AC (RMS).
© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 1
Line Voltage (UL)
This is the voltage between any two lines (e.g. between L1 and L2, L1 and L3, L2 and L3). It is
illustrated in Figure 1. The value of each line voltage is 400 Volts AC (RMS).
Three-phase Supply in Commercial / Industrial Premises
A 3-phase 400 Volt four-wire supply is used for industrial and commercial loads. Industrial
loads usually demand more power than domestic loads and more power can be supplied by a
400V three-phase supply than is possible with a 230V single-phase supply.
It is possible to take the following supplies from a 3-phase 400 Volt four-wire system.
• 3-Phase 400 Volt 4-Wire supply, which is used for unbalanced 3-phase loads as they
require a neutral.
• 3-Phase 400 Volt 3-Wire supply, which is used for balanced loads such as 3-phase
motors or 3 phase heaters, which do not require a neutral.
• 2-Phase 400 Volt 2-Wire supply, which is used for loads such as some welders,
(correctly referred to as a 1-Phase 400 Volt supply ).
• 1-Phase 230 Volt supply, which is used for loads such as lamps, heaters, computers.
400 V 3 Ph 400 V 3 Ph + N
Load Load
L1 L1
E
Star
Point
N
L3 L2 L2
Transformer
Secondary
Winding
L3
230 V 230 V 230 V 400 V
1 Ph 1 Ph 1 Ph 2 Ph
Load Load Load Load
Figure 2
Division of Loads between Phases:
When connecting single-phase loads to a three-phase supply, care should be taken to distribute
the single-phase loads equally between the three-phases so that each phase carries approximately
the same current and the neutral current is kept as low as possible.
Distributing the single-phase loads equally across the three-phases is known as “balancing” the
load. A lighting load of eighteen luminaries would be balanced if six luminaries were connected
between each of the three-phases and neutral.
Typical layouts of small to medium, industrial installations are shown in Figures 3 and 4.
Figure 3 shows a main supply intake point in a small industrial installation. The main supply is
taken through an isolator to a bus-bar chamber. From this chamber, other sub main isolators
control the supply to various other sections of the premises. Isolator number 4 is shown
supplying a three-phase distribution board, which in turn feeds final circuits.
Figure 3
Figure 4 shows a partially exposed main supply intake point in a small industrial installation.
The main supply is taken through a 300 Amp Fused Switch to a bus-bar chamber. This chamber
consists of suitably sized copper bars, isolated from each other and from earth. These bars may
be of circular or rectangular cross section.
This layout shows the Lighting, Power and Heating loads separated from each other as is often
the case. The heating load can be seen to be supplied from the bus-bar, through a 100 Amp
Switch Fuse, to a 10 Way Three-phase Distribution Board. This board may be used to supply 10
three-phase loads or a mixture of three-phase loads and single-phase loads. For example it may
supply 8 three-phase loads and 6 single-phase loads.
Figure 4
For correct phase rotation (polarity), connect L1, L2, L3 either left to right or top to bottom as
appropriate.
Three-Phase Distribution Board:
Figure 5 shows the internal connections of a distribution board consisting of 3 three-phase
MCB’s and 3 three-phase RCBO’s. A residual-current circuit breaker with overload protection
(RCBO) combines the functions of overcurrent protection and leakage detection. A residual-
current device is an electrical wiring device that disconnects a circuit whenever it detects that the
electric current is not balanced between the energized conductor and the return neutral
conductor. Such an imbalance may indicate current leakage through the body of a person who is
grounded and accidentally touching the energized part of the circuit. A lethal shock can result
from these conditions. These are designed to disconnect quickly enough to prevent injury caused
by such shocks. A residual-current device is referred to as an RCBO when including overcurrent
protection. Non residual-current circuit protection devices are called Circuit Breakers or MCBs.
Infrequently they can be called Trips or Trip Switches. It may be used to supply 6 balanced
three-phase loads, 3 of which require RCD (residual current device) protection.
Figure 5
Three-Phase and Single-Phase Distribution Board:
Figure 6 shows a small industrial distribution board. It is being used to supply a mixture of
single-phase and three-phase circuits.
Single-phase Loads
It is supplying a single-phase lighting circuit and a single-phase motor circuit, both of which are
not provided with RCD protection. It is also supplying two single-phase socket circuits, which
are provided with RCD protection.
Three-phase Loads
It is supplying a three-phase motor circuit, which is not provided with RCD protection. It is also
supplying a three-phase socket circuit, which is provided with RCD protection.
Neutral Connections
It is supplied with three neutral bars. It is of the utmost importance that the various circuit
neutrals are not mixed up in any way. A wrong neutral connection will result in the tripping of
one or other RCD.
It is possible to supply the single-phase loads through a three-phase RCD. This would simplify
the arrangement a good deal, however it is not recommended to supply a mixture of single and
three-phase loads through one RCD. The reasons for this are beyond the scope of Phase 2 of the
apprenticeship.
The neutral connection for any load not protected by an RCD must be from the main neutral bar.
The neutral connection for any load protected by the single-phase RCD must be from the single-
phase RCD neutral bar.
The neutral connection for any load protected by the three-phase RCD must be from the three-
phase RCD neutral bar.
Note: There is only one circuit supplied through the three-phase RCD. The neutral connection
for this circuit can be taken directly from the three-phase RCD, if a separate neutral bar is not
provided.
Small Industrial Distribution Board:
Figure 6
High-Breaking-Capacity Fuses
High Breaking Capacity ( HBC ) fuses are suitable for industrial installations and motor starting
circuits. They can distinguish between a starting surge and a short circuit. Their operating
characteristics are such that they can disconnect short circuits much more rapidly than any other
protective device. For example the HBC fuse can clear a high fault current in 0.01 seconds,
while the mechanism of a circuit breaker could take 0.1 seconds to operate.
This type of fuse is also known as a High-Rupturing-Capacity (HRC) fuse. Its fuse element is
enclosed in a robust cartridge of heatproof material. The cartridge is packed with chemically
treated silica sand to quench the arc which occurs as the fuse element ruptures. This ensures that
there is no fire risk. They do not deteriorate with age.
The construction of a typical HBC fuse is shown in Figure 7.
High Breaking Capacity Fuse
Low Melting
Point
End Cap Fuse Element
Silica Sand
Lug
Reduced
Section
Fixing Slot
Ceramic Tube
Figure 7
The barrel of the HBC fuse is made from high grade ceramic to withstand the mechanical forces
of heavy current interruption. The end caps (tags) are plated thus ensuring good electrical
contact. The fuse element is accurately shaped and machined to give precise characteristics.
Most HBC fuses are fitted with indicator beads, which show when it has ruptured.
Disadvantages of HBC Fuses
• Expensive.
Advantages of HBC Fuses
• Discriminate between overload currents of short duration, ( e.g. motor starting ) and high
fault currents ( short circuits ).
• Consistent in operation.
• Reliable.
• Do not deteriorate with age.
• Speed of operation.
• Fusing factor as low as 1.25.
• No fire risks.
• Capable of breaking very high value fault currents.
• Are easy to replace.
• Are available in a wide range of current ratings.
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
MCBs or Miniature Circuit Breakers are electromechanical devices which protect an electrical
circuit from an overcurrent. The overcurrent, in an electrical circuit, may result from short
circuit, overload or faulty design. An MCB is a better alternative to a Fuse since it does not
require replacement once an overload is detected. Unlike fuse, an MCB can be easily reset and
thus offers improved operational safety and greater convenience without incurring large
operating cost. The principal of operation is simple. An MCB functions by interrupting the
continuity of electrical flow through the circuit once a fault is detected. In simple terms MCB is
a switch which automatically turns off when the current flowing through it passes the maximum
allowable limit. Generally, MCB are designed to protect against over current and over
temperature faults (over heating).
There are two contacts one is fixed and the other moveable. When the current exceeds the
predefined limit, a solenoid forces the moveable contact to open (i.e., disconnect from the fixed
contact) and the MCB turns off thereby stopping the current to flow in the circuit. In order to
restart the flow of current the MCB is manually turned on. This mechanism is used to protect
from the faults arising due to over current or overload.
To protect against fault arising due to over heating or increase in temperature a bi-metallic strip
is used. MCBs are generally designed to trip within 2.5 millisecond when an over current fault
arises. In case of temperature rise or over heating it may take 2 seconds to 2 minutes for the
MCB to trip.
Energy Meter
An electricity meter or energy meter is a device that measures the amount of electric
energy consumed by a residence, business, or an electrically powered device. Electricity meters
are typically calibrated in billing units, the most common one being the kilowatt hour [kWh]. A
periodic reading of electricity meters establishes billing cycles and energy used during a cycle.
CT & PT
A current transformer (CT) is used for measurement of alternating electric currents. Current
transformers, together with voltage transformers (VT) (potential transformers (PT)), are known
as instrument transformers. When current in a circuit is too high to apply directly to measuring
instruments, a current transformer produces a reduced current accurately proportional to the
current in the circuit, which can be conveniently connected to measuring and recording
instruments.
Current transformers (CT) are a series connected type of instrument transformer. Potential
transformers (PT) are a parallel connected type of instrument transformer.
Experimental Setup:
The following figure shows the experimental setup which will be demonstrated in the laboratory.
Figure 8
(a) (b)
(d)
(c)
Figure 9
Figure 8 shows 3φ distribution system which includes main supply coming from the electricity
utility, main 3φ switch, magnetic contacts, 3φ energy meter, bus bars, MCBs, CT, PT and some
1φ loads connected to the system.
Figure 9(a) is the meter showing the current and voltage values of each of the 3φ lines. 9(b)
represents the magnetic contact which is used for automatic switching from the supplies while
any disruption occurs from the main supply system. 9(c) is the energy meter which shows the
energy consumed and the power factor of the connection. The utility companies collect data to
generate electric bills from this meter. Figure 9(d) shows a 3φ induction motor which represents
a 3φ load in the experimental setup.
Precautions:
1) Do not touch any equipment without asking the course teacher or lab instructor as this
experimental setup is exposed to very high voltage and current which may lead to danger if
proper precaution is not taken.
2) Be careful when power is supplied to the system and equipment.
3) Do not touch the electrical apparatus with wet or sweaty hand.
Experimental (Demonstration) Procedure:
1) Follow the rules and regulation for operating the system.
2) Choose proper sequence shutting down or starting the system.
3) Follow the way the Course Teacher or the Lab Instructor demonstrates the whole system.
Questions for report writing:
Write notes on the overall experiment.
Discussion and Conclusion:
Interpret the data/findings and determine the extent to which the experiment was successful in
complying with the goal that was initially set. Discuss any mistake you might have made while
conducting the investigation and describe ways the study could have been improved.
References:
[1] Internet
