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. Thanks Comment * Name * Email * Website
Δ
