Power factor and three-phaseQuestion 1062 of 1506

A three-wire Y-Y system (no neutral) has triplen harmonic loads. What happens to the load centre point?

  1. It stays at exactly the same voltage as the source centre point
  2. It carries all of the line current back to the source
  3. It becomes equal to earth potential at all times
  4. It becomes hot, with triplen voltage
Show answer

Correct answer: It becomes hot, with triplen voltage

Without a neutral path, the triplen currents cannot flow, so voltages appear instead.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits II: AC (Kuphaldt), 7.7: Harmonics in Polyphase Power Systems

Practice power factor and three-phase

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026