National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Electrical and Computer Practice Exam

In a Wye (or Star) connection, the phase current is equal to the line current. This means that each phase of the load draws current independently, and the current that flows through each line conductor is the same as the current flowing through each corresponding phase. Since in a Wye connection, each phase is connected to a common neutral point, the current flowing through the line and the phase are one and the same.

This characteristic is fundamental to the operation of Wye-connected systems in three-phase circuits. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing circuit behavior, calculating power, and designing systems that require balanced loads. In contrast, in a Delta connection, the relationship between line and phase currents is different, highlighting the importance of recognizing the configuration type when working with three-phase systems.