Automatic power factor correction using thyristor switched reactor and capicitor

In an electric power system, a load with a low power factor draws more current than a
load with a high power factor for the same amount of useful power transferred. The higher
currents increase the energy lost in the distribution system, and require larger wires and other
equipment. Because of the costs of larger equipment and wasted energy, electrical utilities will
usually charge a higher cost to industrial or commercial customers where there is a low power
factor.

An automatic power factor correction unit consists of a number of capacitors and

inductor coils that are switched by means of relays. These contactors are controlled by a
regulator that measures power factor in an electrical network. Depending on the load and power
factor of the network, the power factor controller will vary the firing angle of the thyristor. This
will vary the net value of the capacitance/inductance connected to the supply.

In this circuit two zero crossing detector circuits are used for detecting the phase angle of
the current and the voltage. Once the phase angle is found the power factor is calculated from it.
Then if the calculated power factor is less than 1, then the controller will connect the capacitors
to the line to improve the power factor.

The zero crossing detector circuits will convert the square input to the square wave so
that the controller can read the phase angle of the square wave directly which is the replica of the
sine wave input signal. From the zero crossing detectors the signal is given to the at89s52
microcontroller. This will make the controller to calculate the power factor and then display it on
the lcd display. The controller will then give the required gate pulse to the driver ic. The driver ic
used is generally is an optocoupler. This will generate the pulses required for the triac to get
triggered. This enable the controller to control the firing angle of the gate pulse given to the triac.

Advantages:

1) The line losses are reduced as the power factor is improved.

2) The active power can be increased for the same sized conductor.

3) Area of cross section of the conductor can be reduced.

Disadvantages:

1) Switching capacitors will make the power factor leading in some cases which is not
reliable.

Applications:

1) Can be used near domestic loads to improve the factor.

2) Can be used in industries to control the apparent power or improve the power factor.

Block diagram:
SOFTWARE TOOLS USED:

1. Embedded C programming language

2. KEIL IDE for writing the program for micro controller

3. PROLOAD for dumping

4. ORCAD to draw the schematic diagram

HARDWARE USED:

1. AT89s52 Micro Controller

2. Power supply

3. LCD Display

4. Zero crossing detector

5. capacitor

6. opto couplers

7. triac