Three-phase Power Distribution: Achieving Balance for Efficient Electricity Flow

How does current flow in a balanced 3 phase, 4 wire circuit?

Final answer:

In an ideally balanced 3 phase, 4 wire circuit, if 10 amps flow in A phase, the same current will flow through the other two phases, B and C; and the neutral wire should carry zero amps.

Explanation:

In a balanced 3 phase, 4 wire circuit, if 10 amps flow in A phase, a similar current flow will be found in the other two phases (B and C), which also would be 10 amps each. The neutral wire, in ideally balanced conditions, should carry zero amps. This is due to the fact that in a balanced system, the phasor sum of the currents in the three phases equates to zero, hence, the current in the neutral wire is null.

It's important to note that this is under perfect balanced conditions which doesn't usually happen in practical cases. There can be a slight deviation in current between phases due to unequal load distribution or external influences. However, for a well-maintained, balanced system, the variance should be relatively low.

Please note that the concept of balanced three-phase power distribution is very important in power systems and is widely deployed in power delivery networks for both residential and commercial buildings. Its advantage lies in its ability to deliver constant power, which helps to prevent the flickering of lights and irregular behavior of appliances.