What multiplier do you use to determine the line voltage from the phase voltage in a three-phase system?

In a three-phase system, the relationship between line voltage and phase voltage is crucial for understanding how electrical systems operate. The correct multiplier to convert phase voltage to line voltage is 1.73, which is derived from the square root of 3 (√3).

This conversion is based on the geometry of three-phase systems, where the line voltage (the voltage measured between any two of the three phases) is greater than the phase voltage (the voltage measured between any one phase and the neutral). The √3 factor arises because the line voltage represents a combination of the phase voltages, which are 120 degrees apart in phase angle.

Understanding this relationship is essential for correctly sizing transformers and ensuring that electrical equipment operates efficiently and safely. Thus, multiplying the phase voltage by 1.73 gives you the correct line voltage in systems where the loads are balanced and the supplies are symmetrically distributed.