# Confusion with applying KCL to three phase delta connection

Below is a 3-phase delta connected for balanced loads Z:

Since phase to phase voltages(voltage across loads) have 120 degrees phase differences and since the loads have the same impedance we can conclude that the currents Iux, Izw, Ivy across the loads also must have 120 degrees phase difference with same rms values. So one can draw the phasor for these currents as:

I'm experiencing some confusion for writing the node currents as KCL. For example, take node M above in my first drawing.

Vectorially for the currents at node M which one is correct and why?:

Ir = Iux + Izw ?

Ir = Iux - Izw ?

According to what I read Ir must be sqrt(3) times the load current, but I don't know how they derive this by using KCL considering the phasor diagrams.

• Remember, all the current that enters node M must exit node M. – Hearth May 11 '18 at 17:06
• The direction of Iux and Izw and Ir changing continuously and it is hard to write KCL here. This is not like typical KCL in DC. Im confused how to approach this – atmnt May 11 '18 at 17:11
• I would find Ir from the phasor diagram in my second drawing but I dont know the directions of currents so I cannot find Ir – atmnt May 11 '18 at 17:13
• Define a direction. If it's wrong, the current will come out as a negative. – Hearth May 11 '18 at 17:14
• That works on DC but here I reach two different results. Phasors must be used here instead of negative positive. Current has no single direction in AC. This is confusing. – atmnt May 11 '18 at 17:16

From your connection diagram $$I_R = I_{ux}+I_{zw} = I_{ux}-I_{wz}$$
From your phasor diagram $$I_{ux} = |I_{load}|\angle 90^\circ$$ $$I_{wz} = |I_{load}|\angle -30^\circ$$
Thus $$I_R = |I_{load}|\angle 90^\circ - |I_{load}|\angle -30^\circ = \sqrt{3}|I_{load}|\angle 120^\circ$$