Automatic Power Factor Control Using Microcontroller Through Shunt Capacitor

In the present technological revolution, power is very precious. So, we need to find out the causes of power loss and improve the power system. Due to industrialization the use of inductive load increases and hence the power system losses its efficiency. In this project, you are going to address one such kind of problem. Here you will work on improving the power factor with a suitable method. Again, an embedded system has a lot of application in industries. Whenever we are thinking about any programmable devices then the Embedded technology comes into the forefront. In this project, you will work on Automatic power factor correction of the system using microcontroller through shunt capacitor.

Looking to build projects on Embedded Systems?:

Embedded Systems Kit will be shipped to you and you can learn and build using tutorials. You can start for free today!

1. Robotics (Career Building Course)

2. 3D Printer

3. Animatronic Hand

4. Embedded Systems (Career Building Course)

5. Mechatronics (Career Building Course)

6. Home Automation using IoT

7. CNC Machine using Arduino

8. Surveillance Robot

9. Smart Irrigation System

10. 7 Robots (Combo Course)

11. Robotic Arm

12. Biped Walking Robot

13. Sensor Guided Robotics

14. Hexapod

15. Swarm Robotics

16. Smart Building using IoT

17. Mobile Robotics

18. Smart Energy Meter using GSM

19. Sixth Sense Robot

20. Solar & Smart Energy Systems

21. Automatic Solar Tracker

22. IoT using Arduino

23. GPS & GSM based Tracker

24. 2 Mechatronics Projects

25. Gesture Based Robotics

26. 2 IoT Projects (Combo Course)

27. 5 IoT Projects (Combo Course)

28. Smart Water Monitoring

29. Voice Controlled Robot

30. Automated Street Lighting

31. WiFi Controlled Robot

32. 5 Arduino Projects

33. Biometric Authentication

34. Access Control with RFID

35. Automated Railway Crossing

36. 4 Smart Energy Projects

37. Maze Solver Robot

38. PCB Manufacturing

39. Health Monitoring Wearable

40. Bluetooth Robotics

41. Persistence of Vision

42. Fire Fighting Robot

43. Embedded Systems Training & Internship

44. Smart Traffic Lighting System

45. Home Automation System using IoT & Raspberry Pi

46. Automation using PLC

Automatic power factor correction device reads power factor from line voltage and lines current by determining the delay in the arrival of the current signal with respect to the voltage signal from the function generator with high accuracy by using an internal timer. This time values are then calibrated as phase angle and corresponding power factor. Then the values are displayed in the 2X16 LCD modules. Then the motherboard calculates the compensation requirement and accordingly switches on different capacitor banks. This is developed by using a microcontroller.

Automatic power factor correction techniques can be applied to the industries, power systems and also households to make them stable and due to that the system becomes stable and efficiency of the system, as well as the apparatus, increases. The use of microcontroller reduces the costs.

Project Description:

• Embedded system: An embedded system is a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system, often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. Embedded systems control many devices in common use today. Ninety-eight percent of all microprocessors are manufactured as components of embedded systems.
• 2X16 LCD modules: An LCD is an electronic display module which uses liquid crystal to produce a visible image. The 16×2 LCD display is a very basic module commonly used in DIYs and circuits. The 16×2 display 16 characters per line in 2 such lines.
• Arduino Uno: Arduino Uno is a microcontroller which can take both analog and digital inputs and you can use this to acquire the data from all the sensors. There are six analogs I/O pins and fourteen digital I/O pins which you can use to interface your sensors.
• CT and PT transformer: A current transformer (CT) is a type of transformer that is used to measure alternating current (AC). It produces a current in its secondary which is proportional to the current in its primary. Similarly, a voltage or potential transformer is used to measure the Voltage. You will use these two types of instrument transformers to measure the input current and voltage.

• Shunt capacitor: This capacitor is primarily used to improve the power factor in the network. They also improve voltage stability and reduce network losses. Improving the power factor leads to higher power transmission capability.
• The comparator (ZCS and ZVS): These are comparator circuits which you will use to find the time difference between current and voltage.

Project Implementation:

1. At first, take input from the main supply and feed it to the CT and PT instrument transformer for measuring current and voltage.
2. Then again give CT and PT input to the microcontroller to find current and voltage.
3. Give other input to ZCS and ZVS comparator to find the time difference between current and voltage.
4. On the basis of the above data find power factor by writing codes in Arduino Ide.
5. Then write logic to calculate require correction, and on the basis of correction apply shunt capacitor across appliances through the microcontroller.

Project Brief: After successful completion of this project, you can observe below developments,

• Reactive power decreases.
• Proper voltage regulation is achieved.
• Overloading is avoided.
• Copper loss decreases.
• Transmission loss decreases.
• Improved voltage control.
• The efficiency of the supply system and apparatus increases.

Did you know

Skyfi Labs helps students learn practical skills by building real-world projects.

You can enrol with friends and receive kits at your doorstep

You can learn from experts, build working projects, showcase skills to the world and grab the best jobs.
Get started today!

Software requirements:

Arduino IDE Version 1.8.5: You will be needing Arduino IDE software for writing and uploading the program into the Arduino Uno board.

Programming language: Arduino programming language

• lcd
• CT and PT transformer
• Shunt capacitor
• Comparator ZCS and ZVS

• Automatic Power factor control

Automatic Power Factor Control Using Microcontroller Through Shunt Capacitor