Current Imbalance Calculator:
Enter the values of maximum deviation from average current, Imd(A) and average current, Iave(A) to determine the value of Current imbalance, CI.
Current Imbalance Formula:
Current imbalance refers to the unequal distribution of current in a three-phase electrical system. This can lead to inefficiencies, increased losses, and potential damage to equipment.
Monitoring and minimizing current imbalance is crucial for the optimal performance and longevity of electrical systems.
Current imbalance is typically expressed as a percentage and is calculated by comparing the difference between the maximum and average currents in the phases.
The effects of current imbalance are heat generation, reduced efficiency, vibration and noises, voltage imbalance etc,.
Most industrial and large commercial electrical systems use three-phase power for its efficiency and balanced load distribution.
In a perfectly balanced system, the currents in all three phases (A, B, and C) are equal in magnitude and are 120 degrees out of phase with each other.
Current imbalance, CI in percentage is calculated by dividing the product of maximum deviation from average current, Imd(A) in amperes and 100 by average current, Iave(A) in amperes.
Current imbalance, CI = Imd(A) * 100 / Iave(A)
CI = current imbalance in percentage.
Imd(A) = maximum deviation from average current in amperes, A.
Iave(A) = average current in amperes, A.
Current Imbalance Calculation:
- Calculate the current imbalance for a three-phase system with phase currents of 30 A, 35 A, and 40 A:
Given:
Iave(A) = 30 + 35 + 40 / 3 = 35A.
Imd(A) = max(│30 – 35│,│35 – 35│,│40 – 35│)
Imd(A) = max(5, 0, 5) = 5A.
Current imbalance, CI = Imd(A) * 100 / Iave(A)
CI = 5 * 100 / 35
CI = 0.142857 * 100
CI = 14.29%.
- Suppose a three-phase system has a current imbalance of 10% and an average current of 50 amperes. Calculate the maximum deviation:
Given: Iave(A) = 50A, CI = 10%.
Current imbalance, CI = Imd(A) * 100 / Iave(A)
Imd(A) = CI * Iave(A) / 100
Imd(A) = 10 * 50 / 500
Imd(A) = 5A.