The Electrical Engineering Handbook

1

Three-Phase Alternating Current Systems

Anjan Bose,     College of Engineering and Architecture, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA

1.1. Introduction

1.2. Two-Wire and Three-Wire Systems: Current

1.3. Voltages

1.3.1. Industry Business Structure

1.1 Introduction

Although the first electric power system, Edison’s Pearl Street system, was based on direct current (dc), the advantages of alternating current (ac) systems were obvious by the turn of the 20th century. The voltage drop in an electrical circuit limited the distance from the source of electricity to where it was consumed. The Westinghouse transformer made it possible to boost and lower voltage levels in ac systems, making it possible early on to bring electricity ...