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Home / Technical Articles / Detailed calculation of currents and power according to the type of load

Calculation of currents & power

Currents and power analysis are key factors in any design or redesign of an installation they will enable the source(s) to be sized according to the purpose of the installation, the intended use of the circuits and the receivers to be supplied.

Detailed calculation of currents and power according to the type of load
Detailed calculation of currents and power according to the type of load

The current consumed Ia corresponds to the nominal current consumed by a receiver independently of the utilisation factor and the coincidence factor, but taking into account the aspects of efficiency (η factor), displacement factor or phase shift (cos φ) for motors or other inductive or capacitive loads.

For non-linear (or distorting) loads, the quadratic sum of the fundamental current and the harmonic currents must be calculated in order to obtain the actual rms current.

Let’s break the calculation of the power into few parts, so we can easily follow:

  1. Purely resistive load
  2. Non-distorting load that is not purely resistive
  3. Calculation of the current
  4. Overloads on conductors according to the total harmonic distortion
  5. Distorting load that is not purely resistive

1. Purely resistive load

The current consumed Ia of a purely resistive load is calculated by simply applying the formulas. For single phase:

Current consumed for single-phase

and for the three-phase:

Current consumed for three-phase

But beware, very few loads are totally resistive. Incandescent lighting is losing ground to solutions that offer higher performance levels, but which are on the other hand less “pure” from an electrical viewpoint.

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2. Non-distorting load that is not purely resistive

The nominal power (Pn) of a motor corresponds to the mechanical power available on its shaft. The actual power consumed (Pa) corresponds to the active power carried by the line.

This is dependent on the efficiency of the motor:

The actual power consumed (Pa)

The current consumed (Ia) is given by the following formulae. For single-phase:

Current consumed for single-phase

and for the three-phase:

Current consumed for three-phase

Where:

  • Ia – rms current consumed (in A)
  • Pn – nominal power (in W; this is the useful power)
  • U – voltage between phases in three-phase, and between phase and neutral in single-phase (in V)
  • η – efficiency
  • cosφ – displacement factor

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3. Calculation of the current consumed by several receivers

The example described below shows that the current and power calculations must be carried out in accordance with precise mathematical rules in order to clearly distinguish the different components.


Example of asynchronous motors

A group of circuits consists of two three-phase asynchronous motors M1 and M2 connected to the same panel (mains supply: 400V AC – 50 hz). The nominal power of the motors are respectively: Pn1 = 22 kW and Pn2 = 37 kW.

The displacement factors are cosφ1 = 0.92 for M1 and cosφ2 = 0.72 for M2 the efficiencies are η1 = 0.91 and η= 0.93 respectively.

Calculation of the power consumed:

Calculation of the power consumed


The reactive power can in this case be calculated by determining the value of tanφ from cosφ. the relationship with the tangent is given by the formula:

Reactive power can in this case be calculated by determining the value of tan φ from cos φ


Calculation of the reactive power:

Calculation of the reactive power


Calculation of the apparent power:

Calculation of the apparent power


Calculation of the total current consumption for M1, M2, M1 + M2 and the corresponding power factor:

Calculation of the total current consumption for M1, M2, M1 + M2

The active power (in W) and the reactive power (in VAr) can be added together algebraically, while the apparent power and currents can only be added together geometrically.

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Presentation of the results

All power analyses must show, as in the table below, at least for each group of:

  • Active power circuits which corresponds (to the nearest efficiency) to the energy supplied,
  • Reactive power so that the compensation devices (capacitors) can be sized,
  • Apparent power so that the power of the source can be determined and
  • Current consumed so that the trunking and protection devices can be calculated.
M1M2M1 + M2 (Total t)
Active power: P [kW]Pa1 = 24.18Pa2 = 39.78Pt = 63.96
Reactive power: Q [kVAR]Q1 = 10.30Q2 = 38.35Qt = 48.65
Apparent power: S [kVA]S1 = 26.28S2 = 55.26St = 80.36
Current consumed: Ia [A]Ia1 = 38Ia2 = 80Iat = 116
cosφ0.920.72 0.80

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4. Overloads on conductors according to the total harmonic distortion

The current circulating in each phase is equal to the quadratic sum of the fundamental current (referred to as 1st harmonic order) and all the harmonic currents (of the following orders):

The current circulating in each phase


The THDi (Total Harmonic Distortion) expresses the ratio between the share of all the harmonic currents and the total current as a percentage.

THDi (Total Harmonic Distortion)

I1 being the rms value of the fundamental and in In the rms value of the nth order harmonic. The principle is to apply a current reduction factor that can be calculated based on the THDi.

For a permissible THDi value of 33%, the current must thus in theory be reduced in each phase by a factor K:

K factor for a permissible THDi value of 33%


If the factor is not applied, the current will then be increased by:

If the factor is not applied, the current will then be increased

This remains acceptable and explains why the standard does not recommend any derating or oversizing of cross-sections up to 33% THDi.

Above 33%. the standard recommends an increase in the current IB which results in necessary oversizing of the neutral conductor.

Reduction of the current or oversizing of multi-core cables may also be necessary for the phase conductors. It should be noted that the standard recommends a reduction factor of 0.84. which in fact corresponds to a pessimistic THDi of 65%.

K factor for pessimistic THDi of 65%


Related to the neutral conductor, it is considered that if all the harmonics are 3rd order and its multiples, they will be added together and the current due to the harmonics in the neutral will then be IN = 3 × Iph, which can be expressed using an equivalent notation, THDn = 3 THDi.

Devices whose load is said to be non-linear do not consume a current that is a reflection of the voltage applied. This leads to unnecessary power consumption: the distorting power that generates an additional current, the consequences of which must not be overlooked.

But this current is never expressed directly because it involves a fairly complex mathematical calculation, the fourier transform, to ascertain its relative overall part (THDi: total harmonic distortion) or the value order by order: ih2, ih3, ih4, ih5,..ihn.

With no precise measurements, it is difficult to know exactly the current level that corresponds to each harmonic order. It is therefore preferable to simply increase the cross-section of the neutral conductor as a precaution, since it is known that the main 3rd order harmonics and their multiples are added together in the neutral. and to adapt the protection of this conductor.

Standard IEC 60364 indicates the increasing factors to be applied to the cross-section of the neutral conductor according the percentage of 3rd order harmonics.

In principle, the neutral must be the same cross-section as the phase conductor in all single-phase circuits. In three-phase circuits with a cross-section greater than 16 mm2 [25 mm2 aluminium]. The cross-section of the neutral can be reduced to cross-section/2.

However this reduction is not permitted if:

  • The loads are not virtually balanced
  • The total 3rd order harmonic currents are greater than 15%

If this total is greater than 33%, the cross-section of the active conductors of multi-core cables is chosen by increasing the current In by a fixed multiplication factor of 1.65. For single-core cables, only the cross-section of the neutral is increased.

In practice, the increase of the current Ia in the neutral is compensated by an increase of its cross-section. When the neutral is loaded, a reduction factor of 0.86 is applied to the permissible current of cables with 3 or 1 conductors.

The current reduction factor KN or rather its inverse which will be used to oversize the neutral conductor will then be:

Current reduction factor Kn


With a total 3rd order harmonic distortion of 65%, the current of the phase conductors must be increased by 119% and that in the neutral conductor by 163%. If the THDi were to reach 100%, 1/KN would theoretically reach 2.12. This value would be impossible to reach as it would mean that the harmonic had totally replaced the fundamental.

The theoretical overcurrent limit for the neutral in relation to the phases is:

Theoretical overcurrent limit for the neutral in relation to the phases

These calculations demonstrate that the harmonic currents above all must not be ignored both in terms of “hidden” power consumption and in terms of sizing the conductors which may be overloaded. The relative complexity of the calculations leads to the use of generic derating values which normally cover most cases, just as software is used elsewhere.

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Example of following the standards for defining a protection device with neutral overloaded by harmonics

For a 3P+N circuit, intended for 170 A, with TNS system, with total 3rd order harmonic distortion of more than 33%. When sizing the phase cables, the reduction factor of 0.84 (loaded neutral, see above) must be included.

This requires a minimum cross-section of 70 mm2 per phase. The neutral conductor must be sized to withstand a current of 1.45 × 170 A = 247 A, i.e. a cross-section of 95 mm2.

A circuit breaker must therefore be chosen that is capable of withstanding the current that may cross the neutral:

In device ≥ IB neutral ⇒ In = 250 A

But the device must be set according to the current that may flow in the phases:

Ir ≥ IB phases ⇒ Ir ≥ 170 A (and < 206 A, limit of the cable)

A 250 A unprotected interrupted neutral circuit breaker, set to 0.7 is therefore suitable for this application.

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5. Distorting load that is not purely resistive

The current consumed (Ia) is given by the following formulae:

Current consumed (Ia)

where:

  • Ia – rms current consumed (in A)
  • Pn – nominal power (in W; this is the useful power)
  • U – voltage between phases in three-phase, and between phase and neutral in single-phase (in V)
  • η – efficiency
  • PF – power factor

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Example of a fluorescent luminaire and electronic ballast

The nominal active power consumed by the luminaire is 9 W, and the measured apparent power is 16 VA. The measured displacement factor is cosφ = 0.845 and the power factor PF = 0.56.

The measured current consumed Ia is 0.07 A. As cosφ and the power factor are different, it is not possible to calculate the value of the tanφ or that of the reactive power Q (VAR) for the receiver in question.

The measured cosφ and power Q which would be calculated can only be calculated for the reactive power part connected with the sinusoidal component of the signal, in fact the current of the fundamental at 50Hz: 0.045 A measured in this case.

The powers relative to this linear and sinusoidal part of the load can be calculated as follows

  • S = 230 × 0.045 = 10.3 VA
  • P = S × cosφ = 10.3 × 0.85 = 8.7 W
  • Q = 5.5 VAR which is confirmed by the calculation of the power triangles Q2 = P2 – S2 or by the tanφ:
    Q = P × tanφ = 8.7 × 0.63 = 5.5 VAR
Therefore not all the apparent power consumed is linear as there is a significant difference between the measured total apparent power S (16 VA) and the calculated theoretical sinusoidal power (10.3 VA).

It can also be seen that the sinusoidal active power of the device 8.7 W is very similar to the measured total active power 9 W. It can therefore be deduced that a large part of power S (16 – 10.3 = 5.7 VA) is consumed without producing any active power. The fluorescent luminaire and electronic ballast in the example consumes unproductive power in the form of harmonic currents.

The total harmonic distortion is easy to calculate and represents expressed as a rate.

Total harmonic distortion


The spectral decomposition of the signal carried out on this luminaire shows that the main harmonic is 3rd order (34 mA) but that all the following odd-order harmonics are present and decaying. The main purpose of the above example is to demonstrate that active power information (in W) only for a non-linear receiver is very inadequate.

The cosφ has no real relevance or meaning as it is only applicable to the fundamental signal. Only the apparent power and power factor (PF or ?\.,) information can really quantify and qualify the power that must be supplied by the source.

In the example given, it can be seen that an active power of approximately 9 W corresponds to a consumed power of 16 VA.

Many modern devices (light bulbs, computer equipment, domestic appliances and electronic equipment) have this particular feature of consuming non-linear currents. For domestic use, where only the power in W is billed (sic), the power savings shown for these products is attractive. In practice, the currents consumed are higher than it seems and the energy distributor is supplying wasted energy.

In large commercial or industrial installations the situation is different. A poor power factor results in consumption of reactive power that is billed. Compensation of non-linear loads thus becomes meaningful and useful here, but also at the design stage when it prevents oversizing of the energy sources, which it must be remembered supply VA (volt-amperes) and not W (watts).

Important: Unlike linear loads (page 29), for non-linear loads the active powers (in W) can be added together algebraically, the apparent powers must only be added together geometrically, and likewise the currents which must be the same order.

The reactive powers Q must not be added together except to as certain the relative part of the power associated with the sinusoidal fundamental signal and the part connected with the harmonic signals.

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Reference // Power balance and choice of power supply solutions by Legrand

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

8 Comments


  1. Aleksandr
    Apr 28, 2019

    I1 is fundamental current but you used Irms for calculation THDi. There is a distortion power factor = PF/cosф = 0.56/0.846 = 0.662 = I1/Irms. Thus I1 = 0.07 x 0.662= 0.046 A (first harmonic current). There is a formula for distortion power factor = 1/sqroot(1+sq(THDi)) and from this formula THDi = 1.13= 113% Where is a mistake???


    • Aleksandr
      Apr 28, 2019

      Finally you made the mistake in calculation of a sum of higher harmonic currents and this is not 0.025 A, but must be 0.0526 A = sqroot(0.07sq – 0.046sq). And THDf = 0.0526/0.046 =113% and THDrms = 0.0526/0.07 = 75%


  2. Sohail Ahmed
    Mar 07, 2019

    Dear Sir,

    Please advise my below point related to Harmonics.

    Let suppose we are installing 100A Harmonic filter on 17% THDi and 608A load. After installation Harmonic filter let suppose the THDi will be achieved at 2% to 3%.
    Please advise after this installation will it improve(less) the 608A load also or not? If yes, how much?


  3. Fellah Karim
    Aug 30, 2017

    Thank you so much,
    I follow your group, it’s very useful. you merit a great gift

    Best regards


  4. Chris Sinja
    Aug 24, 2017

    How to estimate and what deviation factors to apply for the electrical load of a high rise 40 floors office and residential apartments building .
    Wgat deviation should be used for a.Each apartment or office on the electrical and hvac loads b. For the total building required load based on the number of offices and aoartments c.The building commons load and deviation.


  5. Mohammad
    Jul 14, 2017

    Thank u for the information you are providing it helps a lot

    Good job


  6. El jaafari Mohammed
    Feb 23, 2017

    Hey,
    A very good website
    i don’know how to thank y

    best regards,


  7. ULHAS VAJRE
    Feb 13, 2017

    Edward, really you are doing a great service to the electrical engineering Fraternity. Shall these articles be published in other forums so as to disseminate the information to number of Electrical Engineers? Pl. reply to my mail. Earlier also I had asked the same questions on many times but you didn’t reply. So hope this time you will relay positively.

    Thanks,
    ULHAS VAJRE

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