In a 3-phase, 4-wire system, what factor is used to convert phase current to line current?

In a 3-phase, 4-wire system, the factor used to convert phase current to line current is the square root of three, commonly represented as approximately 1.732. This stems from the relationship between line and phase currents in a three-phase system, where the current in the line is related to the current in each of the individual phases.

In a balanced system, the line current is greater than the phase current by a factor of √3 due to the geometric relationship between the vectors representing the currents in the phases. Since there are three phase conductors and the current in each phase can be thought of as contributing vectorially to the total line current, applying this conversion factor helps to ensure accurate calculations for the system requirements, such as sizing conductors and protective devices.

Understanding this concept is crucial for designing and operating electrical systems effectively, as it allows for the correct assessment of current levels in various components of three-phase systems.