Three-Phase AC

This interactive simulator explores Three-Phase AC in Electricity & Magnetism. 120° sine waves, Clarke space vector in α–β; v_A+v_B+v_C = 0. Use the controls to change the scenario; watch the visualization and any graphs or readouts to connect the model with lectures, labs, and homework.

Who it's for: Best once you already know the basic definitions and want to build intuition. Typical context: Electricity & Magnetism.

Key terms

  • three
  • phase
  • three phase
  • electricity
  • magnetism

Live graphs

How it works

Three sinusoidal phases separated by 120° (2π/3 rad) model a balanced three-wire or Y-connected source. Instantaneous voltages sum to zero. In the α–β (Clarke) plane the equivalent space vector has constant magnitude V₀ and rotates at angular frequency ω — a compact picture of why three-phase motors can produce smooth rotating fields.

Key equations

v_A = V₀ cos ωt , v_B = V₀ cos(ωt − 2π/3) , v_C = V₀ cos(ωt − 4π/3)
v_α = (2/3)(v_A − v_B/2 − v_C/2) , v_β = (√3/3)(v_B − v_C)