What is the relationship between Line Current and Phase Current in a Delta System?

In a Delta system configuration, the relationship between line current and phase current is defined by the principle that line current is equal to the phase current multiplied by the square root of 3. This arises from how the three phases are interconnected in a Delta formation.

In a Delta setup, each of the three loads or phases is connected end-to-end, forming a closed loop. The current flowing in each of these individual phases (or loads) is referred to as the phase current. The line current, on the other hand, is the current flowing through each line connecting to the Delta configuration.

The relationship can be described mathematically as follows: the line current (I_L) equals the phase current (I_P) multiplied by √3. This is rooted in the geometric relationships and the way currents distribute in AC systems. Specifically, if one considers the phase currents in phasor form and applies Kirchhoff’s Current Law, the resulting calculations reveal that the line current is indeed √3 times larger than the phase current when considering a balanced load condition.

Thus, understanding this relationship is crucial for calculations involving power systems, as it allows engineers and technicians to appropriately size conductors and to analyze the load characteristics of a Delta system.