Simple Wye Delta Transformations Circuit

The wye delta transformation is very useful to convert one combination of resistors to another combination to ease our calculation.

Wye Delta Transformations

It is often in an electric circuit where resistors are connected neither in parallel nor in series.

This topic will help us understand about:

  • Wye to delta transformation
  • Delta to wye transformation

Before jumping on to the transformation and conversion formula, we need to understand:

  • Wye network
  • Delta network

The Wye network has the shape of wye (Y) or tee (T) as shown below respectively.

Wye delta transformation 1

The Delta network has the shape of delta (Δ) or pi (π) as shown below respectively.

Wye delta transformation 2

These networks are mainly used for three-phase circuits to achieve desired voltage and current. Not only that, we will likely find these networks in an electrical filter and matching networks.

Delta to Wye Transformation

Since the wye network is more convenient to analyze over the delta network, we will start with the delta wye transformation.

We overlap the delta network with the wye network and analyze the equivalent resistance. Since we have to find the equivalent resistance, both wye and delta networks should have equal resistance to each other.

We will compare wye and delta networks and make sure the resistance in the wye (Y) network is equal to the resistance in the delta (Δ) network.

Observe the previous wye circuit below.

Wye delta transformation 3

The left one is wye (Y) or tee (T) network and the right one is delta (Δ) or pi (π).

The resistance for terminal 1 and 2 for wye network is

Wye delta transformation 4

The resistance for terminal 1 and 2 for delta network is

Wye delta transformation 5

Since we assume both wye and delta networks have equal resistances then

The resistance for terminal 1 and 3 for wye network is

Wye delta transformation 6

The resistance for terminal 1 and 3 for delta network is

Wye delta transformation 7

Since we assume both wye and delta networks have equal resistances then

The resistance for terminal 3 and 4 for wye network is

Wye delta transformation 8

The resistance for terminal 3 and 4 for delta network is

Wye delta transformation 9

Since we assume both wye and delta networks have equal resistances then

We subtract (1c) from (1a) and we get

We add (1b) and (2) and we have

We subtract (2) from (1b) and we get

We subtract (4) from (1a) and we have

Actually, we only need the equations from (3) to (5).

Combining the wye network and delta network we have the network below. We just need to place the node “n” in the center.

Wye delta transformation 10
Figure.(1)

The delta to wye conversion rule is

Each resistor in the Y network is the product of the resistors in the two adjacent Δ branches, divided by the sum of the three Δ resistors.

Wye to Delta Transformation

Looking back to the equations (3) to (5) we conclude that

Dividing the (6) by each equations (3) to (5) resulting in

From the equations (7) to (9) along with Figure.(1),

The wye to delta conversion rule is

Each resistor in the Δ network is the sum of all possible products of Y resistors taken two at a time, divided by the opposite Y resistor.

The Y and Δ networks are said to be balanced when

When Y and Δ networks are balanced, then the conversion formula will be much easier,

Wye to Delta Formula

Below are the wye to delta transformation formula

Delta to Wye Formula

Below are the delta to wye transformation formula

Wye Delta Transformation Summary

After learning a lot of wye delta transformation or delta wye transformation, we can conclude that:

  1. Each resistor in the Y network is the product of the resistors in the two adjacent Δ branches, divided by the sum of the three Δ resistors.
  2. Each resistor in the Δ network is the sum of all possible products of Y resistors taken two at a time, divided by the opposite Y resistor.
  3. Y network resistance, RY is always smaller than Δ because Y network is a series connection while Δ network is a parallel connection.

Wye Delta Transformation Examples

To get a better understanding, we will solve simple wye delta diagram examples.

Delta to Wye Example Problems with Solutions

1. Observe the Δ network below and find its equivalent Y network.

Wye delta transformation 11

First we draw the Y network inside the Δ network.

Wye delta transformation 12

To find the R1,

To find the R2,

To find the R3,

Now we reverse the calculation above.

Wye to Delta Example Problems with Solutions

2. Observe the Y network below and find its equivalent Δ network.

Wye delta transformation 13

First we draw the Δ network outside the Y network.

Wye delta transformation 14

To find the Ra,

To find the Rb,

To find the Rc,

For both Y network and Δ network has the equal resistance regardless of the transformation.

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