Comparison between 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
line, 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). To know more about single phase and three
phase, read the Difference Between Single Phase and Three Phase Power Supplies tutorial.

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
Let us understand more about these connections by using the following Comparison between
Star and Delta Connections.

Star Connection (Y or Wye) Delta Connection (Δ)

A Star Connection is a 4 – wire connection
A Delta Connection is a 3 – wire connection.
(4th wire is optional in some cases)
Two types of Star Connection systems are
In Delta Connection, only 3 – wire 3 phase
possible: 4 – wire 3 – phase system and 3 –
system is possible.
wire 3 phase system.
Out of the 4 wires, 3 wires are the phases and
All the 3 wires are phases in a Delta
1 wire is the neutral (which is the common
Connection.
point of the 3 wires).
In a Star Connection, one end of all the three In a Delta Connection, every wire is connected
wires are connected to a common point in the to two adjacent wires in the form of a triangle
shape of Y, such that all the three open ends of (Δ) and all the three common points of the
the three wires form the three phases and the
connection form the three phases.
common point forms the neutral.
The Common point of the Star Connection is
There is no neutral in Delta Connection
called Neutral or Star Point.
Line Voltage (voltage between any two
phases) and Phase Voltage (voltage between Line Voltage and Phase Voltage are same.
any of the phase and neutral) is different.
Line Voltage is root three times phase voltage
Line Voltage is equal to Phase Voltage i.e. VL
i.e. VL = √3 VP. Here, VL is Line Voltage and
= VP.
VP is Phase Voltage.
With a Star Connection, you can use two
different voltages as VL and VP are different.
For example, in a 230V/400V system, the In a Delta Connection, we get only a single
voltage between any of the phase wire and voltage magnitude.
neutral wire is 230V and the voltage between
any two phases is 400V.
Line current is root three times the phase
Line Current and Phase Current are same.
current.
In Star Connection, IL = IP. Here, IL is line
In Delta connection, IL = √3 IP
current and IP is phase current.
Total three phase Power in a Star Connection Total three phase Power in a Delta Connection
can be calculated using the following can be calculated using the following
formulae. formulae.
P = 3 x VP x IP x Cos(Φ) or P = 3 x VP x IP x Cos(Φ) or
P = √3 x VL x IL x Cos(Φ) P = √3 x VL x IL x Cos(Φ)
Since Line Voltage and Phase Voltage are In a Delta Connection, the Line and Phase
different (VL = √3 VP), the insulation required Voltages are same and hence, more insulation
for each phase is less in a Star Connection. is required for individual phases.
Usually, Star Connection is used in both
Delta Connection is generally used in
transmission and distribution networks (with
distribution networks.
either single phase supply or three – phase.
Since insulation required is less, Star Delta Connections are used for shorter
Connection can be used for long distances. distances.
Delta Connections are often used in
Star Connections are often used in application
applications which require high starting
which require less starting current
torque.
Difference Between Single Phase and Three
Phase Power Supplies
 April 3, 2021
 By Ravi Teja

In this tutorial, we will learn the differences between Single Phase and Three Phase AC Power
Supplies. We will see few basics of single phase and three phase systems, advantages and
disadvantages and also some key differences between single and three phase power supplies.

Outline

 Introduction
 What is Single Phase Power Supply?
o Advantages
o Disadvantages
 What is Three Phase Power Supply?
o Advantages
 Difference between Single and Three Phase Power Supplies
 Comparison of Single Phase and Three Phase Power Supplies
 Do You need a Three-Phase Power Supply?

Introduction

Almost 90% of the electrical energy we use in our day-to-day life is from alternating source. Be
it our home appliances, office equipment or industrial machines, we use AC source to power
these devices.

If you are a beginner, then Alternating Current or simply AC is a type of electric power in which
the electric current changes periodically, both in magnitude and direction. Further, depending on
the application, AC Power can be delivered in either a Single Phase or a Three Phase system.

A Single Phase AC Power system consists of two wires known as the phase (or sometimes a
Line or Live or Hot) and the neutral wire. In case a three phase system, you use either three wires
or four wires for transmitting power (no neutral in three wire three phase power and all the three
wires are phases).

Let us now go into the details of single phase and three phase systems and also see the difference
between single phase and three phase power supplies.

What is Single Phase Power Supply?

As mentioned earlier, in a Single Phase Power Supply, the power is distributed using only two
wires called Phase and neutral. Since AC Power takes the shape of a sinusoidal wave, the voltage
in a single phase supply peaks at 900 during the positive cycle and again at 2700 during the
negative cycle.

The phase wire carries the current to the load and the neutral wire provides the return path of the
current. Usually, the single phase voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50Hz (this depends on
where you live).

Since the voltage in a single phase supply rises and falls (peaks and dips), a constant power
cannot be delivered to the load.

Advantages

 It is very common form of power supply to most small power requirement. Almost all residential
supplies are single phase supplies as the domestic appliances require a small amount of power
to run lights, fans, coolers, heaters, small air conditioners etc.
 The design and operation of a single phase power supply system is often simple.
 Depending on the region, a single phase supply is sufficient for loads up to 2500 Watts.

Disadvantages

 Small single phase motors (usually less than 1kW) cannot start directly with the help of a single
phase supply as there isn’t sufficient initial torque for the motor. So, additional circuitry like a
Motor Starters (like a starter capacitor in fans and pumps) are needed for proper operation.
 Heavy loads like industrial motors and other equipment cannot be run on a single phase supply.
What is Three Phase Power Supply?

A Three Phase Power Supply consists of three power wires (or the three phases). Additionally,
depending on the type of the circuit (which there are two types: Star and Delta), you might or
might not have a neutral wire. In a three phase power supply system, each AC Power Signal is
1200 out of phase with each other.

In a three phase power supply, during one cycle of 3600, each phase would have peaked in
voltage twice. Also, the power never drops to zero. This steady stream of power and ability to
handle higher loads makes a three phase supply suitable for industrial and commercial
operations.

As mentioned earlier, there are two types of circuit configurations in a three phase power supply.
They are the Delta and the Star (Y or Wye). In Delta configuration, there is no neutral wire and
all the high voltage systems use this configuration.
Coming to a star or wye configuration, there is a neutral wire (the common terminal/point of the
star circuit) and a ground wire (sometimes).
The voltage between two phases in a three phase power supply is 415V while that between a
phase and the neutral is 240V. Hence, you can provide three single phase supplies using a three
phase supply (this is how it is normally done for residential and small business loads).

NOTE: There is a difference between a direct three phase supply and a three phase supply split
into three single phase supplies.

Advantages

 For the same power, a three phase power supply uses les wire than a single phase power supply.
 Three phase power supply is usually the preferred network for commercial and industrial loads.
Although in some countries (like most European Countries, for example), even the residential
supply is a three phase supply.
 You can run larger loads very easily.
 Large three phase motors (usually used in industries) do not require a starter as the phase
difference in the three phase power supply will be sufficient to provide enough initial torque for
the motor to start.
 Almost all the power generated in a three phase power. Although there is a concept of multi-
phase power, studies found that a three phase power supply is more economical and easy to
produce.
  The overall efficiency of the three phase power supply is higher when compared to that of a
single phase power supply for the same load.

Difference between Single and Three Phase Power Supplies

Let us now take a look at the difference between single phase and three phase power supplies.

 In a single phase power supply, the power is supplied through two wires called Phase and
neutral. In three phase power supply, the power is supplied through three wires (four wires if
neutral wire is included).
 The voltage of single phase supply is 230V whereas it is 415V in a three phase supply.
 For the same amount of power, a single phase supply requires more wire that that of a three
phase supply.
 The efficiency of a three phase power supply is significantly higher than a single phase supply
and the power transfer capability is also more.
 Since a single phase power supply uses only two wires, the overall complexity of the network is
less when compared to a four wire three phase supply (neutral included).

Comparison of Single Phase and Three Phase Power Supplies

Let us now see the comparison of Single Phase and Three Phase Power Supply Systems in a
table.

Single Phase Power Supply Three Phase Power Supply

Single Phase Power Supply requires two Three Phase Power Supply requires three
conductors conductors

The two wires (conductors) in single phase system All the three wires (conductors) in three phase
are called Phase and Neutral system are called phases

The three wires in three phase supply carry AC

Since there is only a single wire, there is only one
signal of its own and the three signals are 120°
AC Signal (usually a Sinusoidal Wave)
apart

Due to three conductors with 120° phase

difference, the power delivery in three phase
Power delivery in single phase supply is not
supply is always steady and consistent (the peaks
consistent due to peaks and dips in voltage
and dips of the three AC signal are compensated by
each other)
The supply voltage in single phase power supply is In three phase power supply, the supply voltage is
≈230V ≈415V

Three Phase Power Supply is more efficient as it

Single Phase supply is relatively less efficient than a
can deliver three times the power than a single
three phase supply for the same power delivery
phase power supply with just one additional wire

Usually, Single Phase Power Supply is served to

Three Phase Power Supply is usually served to
residential and domestic needs (often, split phase
large commercial centers and industries
from a three phase supply)

Three Phase Supply can handle large industrial

It is ideal for small loads like lighting and heating
motors

Neutral wire is optional in Three Phase Power

Single Phase Power Supplies always have a neutral Supplies (Delta Connections have no neutral wire,
wire (it acts as a return path from the load) but Star Connections may or may not have neutral
wire)

Even if there is fault in one or two phases, the

The chance of fault is higher as a Single Phase
remaining phase(s) will continue to deliver power
Power Supply has only one phase (if it fails, then
in Three Phase Power Supply. So, the chance of
there is no power)
fault is less

Do You need a Three-Phase Power Supply?

Depending on your requirement, your power distribution company will suggest either a single-
phase power supply or a three-phase power supply. For small homes and shops, a single-phase
supply is sufficient.

But if you have a large home with three to four air conditioning units (all might run at a same
time), water heaters, big submersible pump, washing machine, double-door refrigerator etc., then
you might need a three-phase supply so that load on each phase is distributed properly.

Since we don’t have direct three-phase devices, what the power distribution company does is that
the three-phases from the three-phase supply are given as three separate single phase supplies.
For example, if you have three bedrooms with three ACs, then each room will be provided with a
different phase.

It is common for apartments and communities to have dedicated transformers so that they can
step down 11kV which comes directly from the substation to 240V without depending on the
street transformer.