Resistance of the star (wye) connection

In summary, the resistance of each phase in a 3 phase generator does not add together in the Star (wye) configuration. The Delta connection typically has one third the resistance of the Star, so if three phases have .5 ohms each in Delta, the resistance would be 1.5 ohms in Star. However, when converting a three phase wye load to a delta load, the new impedances will be three times the wye impedances. This can be calculated using the Y-Δ transformation equations.
  • #1
jearls74
53
1
Does the resistances of each phase in a 3 phase generator add together in the Star (wye)?

I read on a windmill site that the Delta connection is typically one third the resistance of the Star. So if i had 3 phases that were .5 ohms each in Delta configuration, would the resistance be 1.5 ohms in Star?
 
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  • #2
Do you mean the internal resistance of the generator? If so I think you should add those resistances with the ones of the load in its wye config.

For your second question: it's the opposite. If you have to convert a three phase wye load to a delta load, the new impedances will be three times the wye impedances. That is, if the load is balanced. If not you should apply the equations listed there http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y-Δ_transform.

edit : If you meant that you would keep the same elements and connect them in star rather than delta, then yeah, as seen from the source, the impedance of the delta config would appear lower. What is written in the paragraph above is about what should be done to know the equivalent circuit as seen from a source. That is, three 6 ohm resistors connected in wye is the same as three 18 ohm resistors connected in delta : the line currents will be the same.

However if you keep your 6 ohm resistors that were connected in wye and then connect them in delta, the source will see three 2 ohm resistors connected in wye (or three 6 ohm resistors connected in delta!)
 
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Related to Resistance of the star (wye) connection

1. What is a wye connection in terms of resistance of a star?

A wye connection, also known as a Y connection, is a type of electrical connection in which three elements are connected in a triangular pattern. In terms of resistance, this means that the three elements are connected in parallel, resulting in a lower overall resistance compared to a series connection.

2. How does a wye connection affect the total resistance?

In a wye connection, the total resistance is lower than the individual resistances of the three elements. This is because the current is divided among the three elements, resulting in a lower overall resistance. This is known as the parallel resistance formula, where the total resistance is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocals of the individual resistances.

3. What is the formula for calculating the total resistance in a wye connection?

The formula for calculating the total resistance in a wye connection is Rtotal = 1 / (1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3), where R1, R2, and R3 are the individual resistances of the three elements.

4. What are the advantages of using a wye connection over a delta connection?

A wye connection has several advantages over a delta connection. Firstly, it is easier to connect and disconnect elements in a wye configuration, making it more convenient for maintenance and repairs. Additionally, a wye connection has a lower overall resistance, resulting in less power loss and more efficient power distribution.

5. Can a wye connection be converted to a delta connection?

Yes, it is possible to convert a wye connection to a delta connection. This is known as a delta-wye transformation, where the three elements are reconfigured in a delta pattern. However, this may not always result in the same total resistance and may require additional calculations.

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