Automatic Power Factor

Correction Using
Microcontroller

NEEHAR

What is Power factor??

Power Factor is the ratio of real
power and apparent power.
It is a measure of how effectively
the current is being converted into
useful work output.
Its an important parameter to
decide the efficiency of an electric
circuit.

Power Triangle:

Advantages of improved
power factor:
Reactive power decreases
Efficiency of supply system and
apparatus increases
The electrical consumption tariffs
depend on power factor.

Use of microcontroller in
power factor correction:

PRINCIPLE:
Automatic Power Factor correction device is developed
based on microcontroller 89c51.
The voltage and current sampled is converted into square
wave using a zero cross detector.
The V and I sample signals are fed to the micro controller
at INT0 and INT1 and the difference between the arrival of
wave forms indicate the phase angle difference.
The difference is measured with high accuracy by using
internal timer.
This time value is calibrated as phase angle and
corresponding power factor. The values are displayed in
the 2x16 LCD modules after converting suitably. The
capacitor banks are switched as per the calibration in
steps.

Modules:
Power supply
Zero crossing detector
Motherboard
Algorithm
Relay driver
LCD Display

Control circuit:

Phase angle detection:

Step-1:- Microcontroller started on interrupt
mode.
Step-2:- INT0 & INT1 are enabled.
Step-3:- INT0 is given VOLTAGE (V), INT1 is given
CURRENT (I) from sampling circuit.
Step-4:- Timer measures time interval between
two interrupts.
Step-5:- Time interval calibrated as 0-5ms = 090 degree.
Step-6:- Calibrated data is displayed on LCD.

Relay Circuit:

LCD display

Conclusion
It can be concluded that power factor correction
techniques can be applied to the industries,
power systems and also house holds to make
them more efficient.

More accurate and fast control.

Reduced size of control circuit.

Thank You