ECE 421: Session 6; Page 1/11

Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

ECE 421: Examples

Define units

kVA := kW kVAR := kW VA := W VAR := W

1. Entering Phasors in Polar Notation in Mathcad 15

· Step 1: Go to: "Help Menu" -- "Quick Sheets"
· Step 2: Choose "Extra Math Symbols" from the list
· Step 3: Scroll down the page and copy the angle symbol to your Mathcad sheet and use it to
define a function as shown below defining the complex phasor in terms of
magnitude and angle, where the arguments of the function are the magnitude and
angle for a complex number
∠ ( magnitude , angle) := magnitude cos (angle) + j  magnitude sin ( angle)
· Step 4: When you want to use this new function to enter a phasor, start typing your expression,
before entering the phasor itself, go to the Evaluation Toolbar and select to enter your
information as an infix number (select "xfy" from the evaluation toolbar. This will allow
you to enter your function in the order you normally use for entering phasors, instead of
the normal Mathcad order. You should see three placeholders in your Mathcad sheet
- Enter the magnitude of the phasor in the first placeholder
- Copy the angle symbol into the middle one
- Enter the angle of the phasor in the third placeholder

Va := 1 ∠ ( 45deg) Va = 0.71 + 0.71i

- A lot of people find it easiest to enter this once and then just copy it into other
sheets.

2. The "a" operator for three phase systems

a := 1 ∠ ( 120deg) a = -0.5 + 0.87i

2 
a = -0.5 - 0.87i a = -0.5 - 0.87i · Complex conjugate of a is equal to a2
3
a =1
2
1+a+a = 0

1 - a = 1.5 - 0.87i 3 ∠ ( -30deg) = 1.5 - 0.87i

2
1 - a = 1.5 + 0.87i 3 ∠ ( 30deg) = 1.5 + 0.87i

a - 1 = -1.5 + 0.87i 3 ∠ ( 150deg) = -1.5 + 0.87i

ECE 421: Session 6; Page 2/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

2
a - 1 = -1.5 - 0.87i 3 ∠ ( -150deg) = -1.5 - 0.87i
2
a - a = -1.73i 3 ∠ ( -90deg) = -1.73i
2
a + a = -1 1 ∠ ( 180deg) = -1

· Normal balanced three phase set:

VAG := ( 120V) ∠ ( 0deg)

VBG := ( 120V) ∠ ( -120deg) VBG = ( -60 - 103.92i) V

VCG := ( 1120V ) ∠ ( 120deg) VCG = ( -560 + 969.95i) V

1  120 
 
VABC := VAG  a2  VABC =  -60 - 103.92i  V
   -60 + 103.92i 
a   

 
 120   
 0 
VABC =  120  V arg ( V ABC ) =  -120   deg
 120   120 
   

2. Defining a Function in Mathcad

Vm := 1000V ω := 2 π 60Hz

vs ( t) := V m cos ( ω t)

t := 0sec , 
 1  .. 2

 20 60Hz  60Hz

3
110

500

vs ( t ) 0

- 500
3
- 110
0 0.01 0.02 0.03
t
ECE 421: Session 6; Page 3/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

Vm j  0deg
Vs := e
2

Zline := ( 0.1 + j  1)  ohm

j  pfangle
Zload ( k , pfangle) := k 5ohm e

5
4
3
Zload ( k , 0)
2
1
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
k

1
Here, I defined the limits for
arg ( Zload ( 1 , pfangle) ) 0 pfangle in the plot, instead of
-1 predifining a range. I am going
from -90 degrees (-p/2) to plus
-2 90 degrees (p/2)
-1 0 1
pfangle

Vs
Isrc ( k , pfangle) :=
Zline + Zload ( k , pfangle)

Im ( k , pfangle) := 2 Isrc ( k , pfangle)

ϕi ( k , pfangle) := arg ( Isrc ( k , pfangle) )

is ( t) := Im ( 1 , 25.7deg)  cos ( ω t + ϕi ( 1 , 25.7deg) )

ECE 421: Session 6; Page 4/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

3
110

500
vs ( t )

is ( t) 0 0.01 0.02 0.03

- 500
3
- 110


Ssrc ( k , pfangle) := Vs Isrc ( k , pfangle)

5
210

5
110
Re ( Ssrc ( 1 , pfangle) )
0
Im ( Ssrc ( 1 , pfangle) )
5
- 110

5
- 210
-1 0 1
pfangle

Vload ( k , pfangle) := Isrc ( k , pfangle)  Zload ( k , pfangle)


Sload ( k , pfangle) := Vload ( k , pfangle)  Isrc ( k , pfangle)

900

800
Vload ( 1 , pfangle)
700
Vs
600

500
-1 0 1
pfangle
ECE 421: Session 6; Page 5/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

0
180
arg ( Vload ( 1 , pfangle) ) 
π
-5
arg ( Vs)
- 10

- 15
-1 0 1
pfangle

Three Phase Examples

1.Three identical impedances of 10ohms at -15deg are Y-connected to balanced three-phase line
voltages of 208V. Specify all the line and phase voltages and currents as phasors in polar form
with Vca as a reference for a phase sequence of abc.

- j  15deg j  0deg
Zload1 := 10ohm e Vca := 208V  e

Since we have an abc phase rotation then:

- j  120deg
Vab := 208V  e

j  120deg
Vbc := 208V  e

Vca
VlnMAG := VlnMAG = 120.09 V
3
j  120deg
a := 1 e

Recall that: Vab = Van - Vbn = Van 1 - a ( 2 )

Vab
Therefore Van := Van = 120.09 V
2
1-a
arg ( V an) = -150 deg
Note that Vab leads Van
by 30 degrees, as expected
ECE 421: Session 6; Page 6/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

Then we can find the other two line to neutral votlages:

arg ( V bn) = 90 deg

2
Vbn := Van a Vbn = 120.09 V

Vcn := Van a Vcn = 120.09 V arg ( V cn) = -30 deg

Since the load is wye connected the line currents and phase currents are equal

Van
Ia := Ia = 12.01 A
Zload1 arg ( Ia) = -135 deg
2
Ib := Ia a Ib = 12.01 A
arg ( Ib ) = 105 deg

Ic := Ia a Ic = 12.01 A
arg ( Ic) = -15 deg

Determine the current drawn from a three-phase 440V line by a three-phase 15hp motor operating
at full load, 90% efficiency, and 80% power factor lagging. Find the values of P and Q drawn from
the line.

VlineMAG := 440V

 VlineMAG  j  0deg
Van :=  e Van = 254.03 V reference angle
 3 

Pmotor := 15hp Pmotor = 11.19 kW

746W
or using the normal relationship 15hp = 11.19 kW
1hp
Pmotor
Pin := Pin = 12.43 kW
0.9

Ploss := Pin ( 1 - 0.9) Ploss = 1.24 kW

θmotor := acos ( 0.8) θmotor = 36.87 deg positive since lagging power factor

 Pin  j  θmotor
Stotal :=  e Stotal = ( 12.43 + 9.32i)  kVA
 0.8 
ECE 421: Session 6; Page 7/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

Pnet := Re ( Stotal) Pnet = 12.43 kW

Qnet := Im ( Stotal) Qnet = 9.32 kVAR

 Stotal  - j  θmotor
Imotor :=  e Imotor = 20.38 A
 3  V lineMAG 
arg ( Imotor) = -36.87 deg

2. If the impedance of each of the three lines connecting the motor of the problem1 above to a bus
is 0.3 + j1.0 ohm, find the line-to-line voltage at the bus which supplies 440V at the motor.

Use per phase analysis.

Zline := 0.3ohm + j  1.0ohm

Recall from above, the line neutral voltage at the motor terminal is: Van = 254.03 V

Van_bus := Van + Imotor Zline

Van_bus = 271.45 V arg ( V an_bus) = 2.67 deg

Assuming a positive sequence three phase set, then:

arg ( V bn_bus) = -117.33 deg

2
Vbn_bus := Van_bus a

Vcn_bus := Van_bus a arg ( V cn_bus) = 122.67 deg

Line to line voltages:

Vab_bus := Van_bus - Vbn_bus Vab_bus = 470.17 V arg ( V ab_bus) = 32.67 deg

Vbc_bus := Vbn_bus - Vcn_bus Vbc_bus = 470.17 V arg ( V bc_bus) = -87.33 deg

Vca_bus := Vcn_bus - Van_bus Vca_bus = 470.17 V arg ( V ca_bus) = 152.67 deg

ECE 421: Session 6; Page 8/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

3. A three phase motor draws 20kVA at 0.707 power factor lagging from a 220V source.
Determine the kilovoltampere rating of capacitors to make the combined power factor 0.9
lagging, and determine the line current before and after the capacitors are added.

SmotorMAG := 20kVA pfmotor := 0.707 lagging VloadMAG := 220V

 VloadMAG  j  0deg
Van :=  e Van = 127.02 V reference angle
 3 

θmotor := acos ( pfmotor) θmotor = 45.01 deg positive angle since lagging power factor

j  θmotor
Sload := ( SmotorMAG) e Sload = ( 14.14 + 14.14i)  kVA

Pmotor := Re ( Sload) Qmotor := Im ( Sload )

θcompensated := acos ( 0.90)

θcompensated = 25.84 deg

 Pmotor  j  θcompensated
Scompensated :=  e Scompensated = ( 14.14 + 6.85i)  kVA
 0.90 

Qcapacitor := Qmotor - Im ( Scompensated)

Qcapacitor = 7.3 kVAR

 Sload  - j  θmotor
Imotor :=  e Imotor = ( 37.11 - 37.12i) A
 3  V loadMAG 
Imotor = 52.49 A arg ( Imotor) = -45.01 deg

note the negative angle due to complex conjugate

in the equation: S = V*I*

 Scompensated  - j  θcompensated
Icompensated :=  e
 3  V loadMAG 
ECE 421: Session 6; Page 9/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

Icompensated = ( 37.11 - 17.97i) A Icompensated = 41.23 A

arg ( Icompensated) = -25.84 deg

Smaller net current.

4. Capacitive compensation with source impedance and fixed source voltage.

· Now the source voltage is fixed, and the load voltage varies
· Model the loads as fixed impedance to make solution easier.

MVA := MW
j  36.87 deg
Sload := 15MVA e pfload := cos ( 36.87deg) pfload = 0.8

Sload = ( 12 + 9i)  MVA

Zline := 1ohm + j  8ohm

Vsrc2 := 24kV
2
Vsrc2
Rload := Rload = 48 Ω
Re ( Sload)

2
Vsrc2
Xload := Xload = 64 Ω
Im ( Sload)

· Find losses without capacitor:

Vsrc2
Iload_uncomp :=
-1
 1 + 1 
Zline +  
 Rload j  Xload 
Iload_uncomp = ( 386.51 - 378.22i) A

Iload_uncomp = 540.78 A arg ( Iload_uncomp) = -44.38 deg

Vload_uncomp := Vsrc2 - Iload_uncomp Zline

Vload_uncomp = 20.77 kV arg ( V load_uncomp) = -7.51 deg

ECE 421: Session 6; Page 10/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

Vload_uncomp
= 86.52 % Significant voltage drop.
Vsrc2

As a result, P and Q to load are reduced, since they vary with voltage.

Pload_uncomp :=
( Vload_uncomp )2 Pload_uncomp = 8.98 MW
Rload

Qload_uncomp :=
( Vload_uncomp )2 Qload_uncomp = 6.74 MW
Xload

Ploss_uncomp := ( Iload_uncomp ) 2 Re ( Zline) Ploss_uncomp = 292.44 kW

Qloss_uncomp := ( Iload_uncomp ) 2 Im( Zline) Qloss_uncomp = 2339.51 kW


Ssource_uncomp := Vsrc2 Iload_uncomp Ssource_uncomp = ( 9.28 + 9.08i)  MVA

· Minimizing the load current will minimize the line losses

· Iload is the smallest when load is unity power factor

MVAR := MW

Qcap3 := -5MVAR

 Vsrc22 
Zcap := Zcap = -115.2i Ω Note the complex conjugate
 j  Qcap3 
 

Vsrc2
Iload_comp1 :=
-1
 1 + 1 + 1 
Zline +  
 Rload j Xload Zcap 
Iload_comp1 = ( 432.03 - 218.95i) A

Iload_comp1 = 484.34 A arg ( Iload_comp1) = -26.88 deg

ECE 421: Session 6; Page 11/11
Introduction to Power Systems Fall 2024

Vload_comp := Vsrc2 - Iload_comp1  Zline

Vload_comp = 22.06 kV arg ( V load_comp) = -8.44 deg

Vload_comp
= 91.9 % Significant voltage drop.
Vsrc2

Ploss_comp1 := ( Iload_comp1 ) 2 Re ( Zline) Ploss_comp1 = 234.58 kW

Qloss_comp1 := ( Iload_comp1 ) 2 Im( Zline) Qloss_comp1 = 1876.68 kW