Suppose that I have a 3 phase device (say, a resistive load) that draws X amps. What would be the current draw of a single phase device that consumes the same amount of power.
My hunch is that a single phase device would draw 1.5 times the current of the 3 phase device. In other words, a 3 phase device that draws the same amps would produce 1.5 times as much energy as a single phase device drawing the same amount of amps.
You are asking for an answer in amps and giving conditions in power and/or amps. For a resistive load.
So for a single phase resistive load and a 3 phase resistive load with the same power consumption, the total amount of amps would be the same. The three phase load would simply be 3 loads, each a third of the single phase load.
For example with a single phase load of 1, the three phase load would be three loads of 3. The same power would be dissapated(sp?) but the current through each of the 3 phase loads would be 1/3 of the single phase load.
With a resistive load any current shifts would not be a factor. Things get interesting when the load is inductive and/or capacitive.
I do not think that 3 times the single phase load is the correct answer. It would involve double counting of current. I am not claiming to be a big expert in this, but 3 times cannot be the right answer.
But we are dealing with a resistive load. No inductance or capacitance. A resistive load will not concern itself with phasing. So the 3 phase thing is moot.
If we had a 3 phase device that has an ouput function, motor, transformer or the like then we would be dealing with other things like is the 3 phase Delta or WYE? And is the loading on the 3 phase, phase-to-phase or phase to neutral/ground. Bob AZ
Bob, The premise under discussion here is multiple phase transmission of power. You might be confusing that with the concept of power factor. Correct me if I'm wrong.
In article , Bob AZ wrote: :But we are dealing with a resistive load. No inductance or capacitance. :A resistive load will not concern itself with phasing. So the 3 phase :thing is moot. : : If we had a 3 phase device that has an ouput function, motor, :transformer or the like then we would be dealing with other things like :is the 3 phase Delta or WYE? And is the loading on the 3 phase, :phase-to-phase or phase to neutral/ground. :Bob AZ
Whether the load is connected delta or WYE does not matter. What _does_ matter is how the voltage is measured, and the article you responded to (and neglected to quote!!) explicitly stated, "If the line-to-line voltage is the same ... ." A WYE connected load will see a line-to-neutral voltage that is (1 / sqrt(3)) times the line-to-line voltage, so the total power for 3 such identical resistive loads is V*I*sqrt(3), where V is the line-to-line voltage and I is the current in any one line.
OK, for ease of calculations, letrs say we have a 2400 watt 240 volt single phase heater. The line current is 2400/240, or 10 amps.
Now, a 2400 watt 3 phase heater is 800 watts per phase. The three 800 watt elements are wired in delta. The load current for each element is
800/240, or 3.33 amps.
By drawing the vector diagram of the 3 load currrents and and some trig, the line currrent for each leg is 3.33 * square root of 3, or
5.77 amps
And 5.77 * square root of 3=10
Resistance can be used if you prefer. Say we have 3 heater elements that measure 15 ohms. If one was connected across a 240 volt single phase line, the power dissipated would be 240 * 240/15, or 3840 watts, with a current of 16 amps. Three of those in parallel would be 11,520 watts total, with a current draw of 48 amps.
Now, wire those three elements in delta. Each element is still across
240 volts, so each one still dissipates 3840 watts (for a 11520 watt total) and draws 16 amps. But since it's three phase, the line current is 16 * square root of 3, or 27.7 amps.
And 48 /square root of 3 also =27.7...
It's still early-I hope all those numbers are right, lol...
PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.