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Unbalanced Load Lose Calculation

04/22/2014 2:34 AM

Dear experts,

We know that there is a power lose because of having unbalanced 3phase load, how can i calculate the power and money lose because of unbalanced load in a building or a factory MDB. Thanks in advanced

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#1

Re: Unbalanced Load Loss Calculation

04/22/2014 7:15 AM

For your edification, the word is "loss", not "lose".

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Unbalanced Load Loss Calculation

04/22/2014 7:47 AM

Thanks for your edification for my misspelled

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#3

Re: Unbalanced Load Lose Calculation

04/22/2014 9:45 AM

Don't try to calculate it. Measure it.

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#4
In reply to #3

Re: Unbalanced Load Lose Calculation

04/22/2014 9:49 AM

Yes, but i like to know how much i lose power and money because my load is unbalanced, this is what i have asked to do in my work.

Thank

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#5
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Re: Unbalanced Load Lose Calculation

04/22/2014 10:08 AM
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#6
In reply to #4

Re: Unbalanced Load Lose Calculation

04/22/2014 1:41 PM

Please describe the tariff structure applied to this unbalanced load.

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#7

Re: Unbalanced Load Lose Calculation

04/22/2014 3:40 PM

Your 3 phase meter does not know, nor does it care, about the degree of imbalance, it will still only record the amount of energy consumed. Your utility might though, and charge you a penalty for being severely unbalanced. Unbalanced loads can also lead to poor power factor, another area where you can be penalized by the utility. As PWS pointed out, only the tariffs will tell you if this is the case.

The place where an "extra" charge might occur is through the extra heating that your motors might be experiencing as a result of the imbalance, and the additional loss of life that the heating may be causing. Calculating this is problematic, it's much easier to take Lyn's suggestion and actually measure the difference between balanced and unbalanced operation at the same mechanical loading. Rent a power quality meter and balance your loads, and/or hire an electrical engineer to guide you.

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#8

Re: Unbalanced Load Lose Calculation

04/23/2014 6:27 PM

If you're that worried by losses caused by imbalance install transformers with a Zig-Zag secondary.

I dread to think what they will cost.

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#9
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Re: Unbalanced Load Lose Calculation

04/23/2014 7:02 PM

...and it will be money wasted. A zig-zag transformer does not magically balance the circuit nor eliminate the losses, it will however provide a low impedance path for trapping the resulting third harmonic/zero sequence currents, similar to what a delta winding does.

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