5\12\2020

COMPARISON BETWEEN WYE AND DELTA CONNECTIONS

.‫ عبد الرحمن سمير صالح ابوالغيث‬: ‫عمل الطالب‬

Electricity is a necessity these days used to illuminate

buildings and homes, to operate air conditioners and
to power trains. In fact, electricity powers almost
everything such as computers, radios, televisions, medical
devices, and an ever-increasing variety of devices that
continue to improve the quality of life of millions of people
all around the world. At the core of all this
electrical power system is three-phase electrical power.
Three phase connection is the backbone of the
electrical power distribution and power is generated in
three distinct phases, each of identical frequency and
voltage, but with voltage displaced by 120 degrees between
any two phases.

Three phase system is the most popular distribution

system used everywhere in practice. There are a number of
unique considerations with three-phase circuits that do
not appear with single-phase circuits. Three-phase circuits
can be configured in either delta or wye configuration. The
delta configuration is so named because of its resemblance
with the Greek symbol “Δ”. They are popular on industrial
power systems. The wye (Y) configuration as the name
suggests, is also called the “Y” circuit and sometimes the
“star” circuit. A delta circuit is a three-wire circuit and a
wye circuit can be either a three-wire circuit or a four-wire
circuit. They differ in the way they are interconnected in a
particular fashion.
 5\12\2020
COMPARISON BETWEEN WYE AND DELTA CONNECTIONS
.‫ عبد الرحمن سمير صالح ابوالغيث‬: ‫عمل الطالب‬
 

What is Delta Connection?

A delta connection is a three-wire circuit used in a three-
phase electrical system in which three elements resemble a
triangular arrangement of electrical three-phase windings.
The delta connection, also known as Mesh connection, is
so named because of its resemblance with the Greek
symbol “Δ” and it is formed by connecting one end of
winding to starting end of other and connection are
continued to form a closed loop. 
The supply terminal is taken out from the three junction
points. In short, all the three coils are connected in series
to form a closed circuit or mesh, which resembles a
triangle. They don’t have a neutral cable.

 
 5\12\2020
COMPARISON BETWEEN WYE AND DELTA CONNECTIONS
.‫ عبد الرحمن سمير صالح ابوالغيث‬: ‫عمل الطالب‬

What is Wye Connection?

Wye (Y) connection, also known as “Y” connection, is a
three-phase circuit in which all the three loads are
connected at a single neutral point. Unlike delta
connection, wye-connected systems carry a fourth neutral
conductor, often grounded but sometimes left floating
(ungrounded wye system).

In wye configuration, the loads are unbalanced in a Y

configuration and a neutral cable is connected where the
three phases meet at the center. This central point forms
the electrical neutral point which is represented by “N”
and may be grounded. Unlike delta connection, it’s a
three-phase four-wire system (3-Phase, 4-Wires) meaning
it can be either a three-wire circuit or a four-wire circuit.

Difference between Delta and Wye Connection

1. Configuration of Delta Vs. Wye

 5\12\2020
COMPARISON BETWEEN WYE AND DELTA CONNECTIONS
.‫ عبد الرحمن سمير صالح ابوالغيث‬: ‫عمل الطالب‬
– Three-phase circuits can be configured in either delta or wye
configuration. The delta connection is also known as mesh
connection and is so named because of its resemblance with the
Greek symbol “Δ”. In the delta configuration, all of the single-phase
load is concentrated on one phase, whereas on the wye configuration
all the single-phase load is distributed on each of the three phases.
Delta configuration uses only three-phase conductors, whereas wye-
connected systems carry a fourth neutral conductor which is often
grounded but sometimes left floating. Unlike in delta connection, all
the three loads are connected at a single neutral point in wye
connection.

2. Connection of Delta Vs. Wye

 – The wye connection is a three-phase four-wire circuit

used in a three-phase electrical system which is formed by
connecting stating or terminal ends of all the three
windings together. This common point is called neutral
point which is represented by “N”. The neutral cable is
connected where the three phases meet at the center. The
delta connection, on the other hand, is a three-phase
circuit formed by connecting one end of winding to staring
end of other and connections are continued to form a
closed loop which resembles a triangle.
3. Cost 

– The delta configuration is less expensive if you factor in

the moving power because of the fact that it only requires
three conductors but not four, making equipment and
construction cost lower. Although, voltage drop and losses
 5\12\2020
COMPARISON BETWEEN WYE AND DELTA CONNECTIONS
.‫ عبد الرحمن سمير صالح ابوالغيث‬: ‫عمل الطالب‬

are equivalent , at least if power flow is balanced.

However, wye-connected lines lead to a less expensive
distribution system, because transformers, reclosers, and
lightning arresters for wye-connected systems cost less
when compared to their equivalents in the delta connected
systems. A single-phase service transformer requires only
one high-voltage bushing for wye systems, whereas it
requires two for delta systems.

4. Application 

– Delta configuration is mainly used in distribution

networks, whereas wye configuration is used in both
transmission and distribution networks. Delta systems are
mostly used in applications that would require a high
starting torque, whereas wye connections are ideally
preferred in applications that would require less starting
current. Delta connection is used for shorter distances,
whereas wye connection is used for power transmission
networks for longer distances. Delta was primarily used at
small industrial facilities that had a relatively large (240
VAC) motor load but only a small need for convenience
outlets and lighting.
 5\12\2020
COMPARISON BETWEEN WYE AND DELTA CONNECTIONS
.‫ عبد الرحمن سمير صالح ابوالغيث‬: ‫عمل الطالب‬
 5\12\2020
COMPARISON BETWEEN WYE AND DELTA CONNECTIONS
.‫ عبد الرحمن سمير صالح ابوالغيث‬: ‫عمل الطالب‬
Comparison table between wye and delta connection
Parameters
Of Wye Delta
.comparison
.Number of wires The total number of wires in a The total number of wires in
wye connections system is five, delta connection system is four,
with three hot wires connected with three wires connected to
to a single neutral wire .one ground cable
.Neutral cable Wye connection system does Delta connation system does
include the use of a neutral not include the use of a neutral
cable .cable
Shape of connection A wye system is connected in A delta system is connected in a
a(Y)shape, or configured in a .triangular shape configuration
.star shape
Phase voltage In a wye system configurations, In a delta system configuration,
the phase voltage is equivalent the phase voltage is equal to
to the line voltage divided by .the line voltage
.the root of 3
Phase load In the wye system, the phase In delta system, the phase load
load or single-phase load is or single-phase load is seen to
.seen to pass-through all wires pass through only one
.wire/phase
Cost of installation The wye system is cheaper in The delta system can be costlier
terms of maintenance and to install in comparison to wye
.installation system
Phase current In star connection, IL=IP. Here, .In delta connection, IL=√3 IP
IL is line current and IP is phase
.current
Phase power Total three phase power in a .#) JUST THE SAME AS WYE(
wye connection can be
calculated using the following
.formulae
P=3×VP×IP×COS(Ф)
Or
P=√3×VL×IL×COS(Ф)
Usage of them Usually, wye connection is -1 Delta connection is generally -1
used in both transmission and .used in distribution networks
distribution networks( with Delta connections are used -2
either single phase supply or .for shorter distances
.three-phase) Delta connections are often -3
since insulation required is -2 used in application which
less, wye connection can be require high stating torque
.used for long distances
Wye connections are often -3
used in in application which
require less starting current

Summary of Delta Vs. Wye

 5\12\2020
COMPARISON BETWEEN WYE AND DELTA CONNECTIONS
.‫ عبد الرحمن سمير صالح ابوالغيث‬: ‫عمل الطالب‬
A delta configuration requires only three conductors, so equipment
and construction gets lower. However, wye-connected systems
account for a less expensive distribution system because
transformers, reclosers, and lightning arresters cost less in wye
systems as compared to their equivalents in delta systems. A delta
circuit is a three-wire circuit, whereas a wye circuit can be either a
three-wire circuit or a four-wire circuit. In wye configuration, the
loads are unbalanced in a Y configuration.