Delta and Wye Elements wired in parallel

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of wiring delta and wye heating elements in parallel. Participants explore the effects on overall resistance, current draw, and power distribution among the elements, focusing on the technical aspects of electrical configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant argues that wiring a delta heater in parallel with a wye heater should not affect the current draw of the delta heater, as each element will draw the appropriate amperage based on its configuration.
  • Another participant agrees, suggesting that both elements being resistive means the configuration should not cause issues, but emphasizes the importance of a diagram for clarity.
  • A different viewpoint is presented, stating that connecting delta and wye heaters in parallel could lead to decreased total circuit resistance, resulting in increased total circuit amperage and potential imbalance in power distribution.
  • One participant questions whether the same type of heating elements are used in both configurations, noting that if they are, the delta will draw more current than the wye, but connecting them will not cause the delta to draw more than it would alone.
  • Another participant emphasizes the necessity of drawing a circuit diagram to analyze the situation accurately and suggests calculating voltages and resulting currents for a clearer understanding.
  • A participant raises a question about whether the individual elements in the delta and wye configurations are rated differently for voltage, which could impact their performance when wired together.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of wiring delta and wye heaters in parallel. While some agree that it should not cause issues, others raise concerns about potential imbalances and increased current draw. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the specific parameters of the heating elements involved, including their resistances and voltage ratings, which are not fully established in the discussion.

bramdam
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
I manufacture heating elements and a customer wired a delta heater in parallel with a wye heater. They claim that this lowers the overall resistance of the delta thus causing this element to draw more amps than what it was designed for. I disagree and do not see how the heater is eternally wired would make any difference and that each element will draw the appropriate amperage. Line current into the delta heater will be higher than the actual phase current in the heater itself but combining the two types of configurations in parallel should not cause a problem. I am just looking for some re-assurance.

Thanks.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Based on your general description I have to agree with you, especially since both elements are restive. Best bet ( as with almost every case) make a diagram for discussion.
 
I will try and dig up the schematic. I do not know the parameters of the wye heater, only the delta heater. But here is the email for which I do not agree. I do believe we undersized a power cable thus leading to the start of all this for we did not account for the line amperage being higher than our phase amperage. I will work on a diagram of some sort.Dave,

This is the problem... When you wire "Delta" and "Y" heat bands in parallel, the delta heat bands show less circuit resistance and the total circuit resistance will decrease causing an increase in total circuit amperage. In-fact, most of the current flow will divert to only the delta heat bands and there will be an imbalance in power distribution between all the heat bands. It is improper to wire delta and Y resistive circuits together in parallel. Please feel free to review this with an electrical engineer from your supplier. We need for you to send new (12 awg) cable assemblies for each of the heating bands that was on the order. I will be at the customer's site on April 7th, and I can exchange all of the cables on your heat bands at that time. This way, we are sure that all of them will be ok when they are wired into the system. With 12 awg wire cables, there shouldn't be any issues going forward (whether they are wired "Y", "delta", or parallel Y/Delta). This would be the fastest and easiest solution.
 
Wait - are you using the same heater elements in each leg? eg. You have a Delta with Element type A and Wye with Element type A? -- then the Delta will draw more than the Wye - but connecting the Wye will not cause the Delta to draw more than the Delta by itself ( there is no "diverting"). Ether way -- the two in parallel will draw more than ether one...the info above is still not entirely clear.
 
Windadct said:
Best bet ( as with almost every case) make a diagram for discussion.
Absolutely. You can draw no conclusions about a circuit until you actually draw it out and specify the resistances involved.
Calculate the voltages across the resistors in the two cases and then what will the resulting currents and power dissipation be?
 
bramdam said:
I manufacture heating elements and a customer wired a delta heater in parallel with a wye heater.
Comparing the Y with the Δ were their individual elements rated differently for voltage, in accord with the respective configuration?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
10K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
11K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K