Voltage drop calculation in 3 phase unbalance circuit

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating total voltage drop in a three-phase unbalanced circuit, specifically from a source to a load. The user, Kelvin, provides a detailed example involving three individual loads, each rated at 5 kW, connected to a distribution board (DB-A) using specific cable types and lengths. The total voltage drop is calculated to be 4.38% when all loads are active. Kelvin seeks clarification on how to adjust calculations when some loads are disconnected and how to handle unbalanced loads, questioning which voltage drop factors and voltages to apply in these scenarios.

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ben1000
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Dear All,

I’m facing some problem when I try to determine the total voltage drop (%) from the source to the load.

Assume the condition as follow:

1. DB-A is serving 3 number of individual load (#1,#2 and #3) , each 100m away from DB-A, single phase, 5kw, pf=0.85, V=240V,by using individual cable 2Core, 16mm2 PVC/SWA/PVC copper cable (2.7mV/m/A).

2. The incoming power supply (415V, 3 phase) to serve DB-A is also 100m away, using 4Core, 16mm2 PVC/SWA/PVC copper cable (2.3mV/m/A).

For calculate total voltage drop from the source to the load #1. I’m using formula as follow:

Assume all three loads are on.
Total connected load under DB-A = 15kw = 15/0.85/0.7188= 26.085A

Load #1 = 5kw = 5/0.85/0.24 = 26.04A

VD (source to DB-A) = [(100m x 2.3mV/m/A x 26.085)/1000/415V] x 100%
= 1.45%

VD (DB-A to load #1) = [(100m x 2.7mV/m/A x 26.04)/1000/240V] x 100%
= 2.93%

VD total = 1.45% + 2.93 % = 4.38%

My question is how to determine the total voltage drop (%) at load #1 if the load #2 & #3 are off. Or let said load #2 and #3 is disconnected from DB-A
I’m confused which VD factor of cable and applied voltage should I applied when calculate VD (source to DB-A). 2.3mV/m/A or 2.7mV/m/A? 415V or 240V? The serving cable is 4 Core, but it just like using 4 Core as 2 Core by only serving load #1.

My second question is how about when there is unbalance load. Assume load # 1 now is 10kw, #2 and #3 are 5kw each. All single phase. How am I going to determine the V.D (%) from the source to DB-A? (Three load are on) should I assume it as balanced? If I do so, does it actually reflect the total V.D (%) suffer at load #1?

Thanks for your help

From
Kelvin
 
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