Wye and delta are two basic configurations used in a three-phase system.

The names Wye and Delta are derived

from the fact that the two configurations resemble the English letter Y and the Greek letter delta () respectively. A
comparative analysis between wye and delta connections is presented below:
Mode of formation:
A wye connection is formed by joining one end of each of the components together. When voltage sources are
connected in wye, then the center point of the Y must tie either all the - or all the + winding points together.
A delta connection is formed by joining the components in series such that a triangular shape is formed. When voltage
sources are connected in delta, then the winding polarities must stack together in a complementary manner ( + to -) .

Figure: Wye connection

Figure: Delta connection

Relationship between the voltages and currents: In the wye connected system, the line voltage is higher than the
phase voltage by a factor of the square root of 3 i.e. 1.732. In the delta connection, line voltage and phase voltage are
the same.
So, for wye connection, ELine = EPhase X 1.732 and for delta connection, ELine = EPhase
Again, in the wye connection, line current and phase current are the same. In the delta connection, the line current is
higher than the phase current by a factor of the square root of 3 i.e. 1.732.
So, for wye connection, ILine = IPhase and for delta connection, ILine = IPhase X 1.732
Amount of power absorbed: The total power (in watt) absorbed by a delta connected load is 3 times the total power (in
watt) absorbed by a wye connected load for the same line current.
Number of wires in the configuration:
A three phase wye connection can have 4 wires ( the three wires leading away from the voltage sources toward the
loads and a neutral wire) or 3 wires (when there is no neutral line) as shown in the following figures:

Figure: Three-phase, four-wire Y connection

Figure: Three-phase, four-wire Y connection

A three phase delta connection can have 3 wires only. It can never have a neutral line as there is no common point.

Figure: Three-phase, four-wire delta connection

Advantages and disadvantages: One distinct advantage of a -connected system is its lack of a neutral wire. In a Yconnected system, a neutral wire is needed in order to keep the phase voltages at the load unchanged if one of the
phase loads were to fail open (or be turned off). This is not necessary (or even possible) in a -connected circuit. With
each load phase element directly connected across a respective source phase winding, the phase voltage will be
constant regardless of open failures in the load elements. The greatest advantage of the -connected source is its fault
tolerance. It is possible for one of the windings in a -connected three-phase source to fail open without affecting load
voltage or current as shown in the figure below:

The only consequence of a source winding failing open for a -connected source is increased phase current in the
remaining windings.
But open Y source winding halves the voltage on two loads of a connected load. A Y-connected load suffers an even
worse fate. In that case open source winding of a "Y-Y" system halves the voltage on two loads, and looses one load
entirely as shown in the following figures:

Application: Wye connected sources are used for long distance power transmission. Because wye connection gives a line
voltage 1.732 times greater than the delta connection. So, for same power, line current is 1.732 times smaller. connected sources are used where three single phase circuits are needed like in residential wiring.
THE END