Power factor correction is the process of compensating for the lagging current by creating a leading current by connecting capacitor to the supply. A sufficient capacitance can be connected so that the power factor is adjusted to be as close to unity as possible.  Power factor correction (PFC) is a system of counteracting the undesirable effects of electric loads that create a power factor that is less than one (1).

In Power factor correction, System scans the current and voltage wave forms of Load connected to Supply OUT at every 10 Seconds. If load having PF less than 0.95 or greater than -0.95, then it considered as Inductive load. As soon as Inductive load detected, Correction Capacitor get added in parallel to Inductive load. (At ideal condition, PF value -1 or +1 considered as Resistive load.)

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION:

The current and voltage signal are acquired from the main AC line by using Current Transformer and Potential Transformer. These acquired signals are then pass on the Zero crossing detectors. Bridge Rectifier for both current and voltage signals transposes the analog signals to the digital signal.

Arduino read the RMS value for voltage and current used in its algorithm to select the value of in demand capacitor for the load to correct the power factor and monitors the behavior of the enduring load on the basis of current depleted by the load.

In case of low power factor Arduino send out the signal to switching unit that will switch on the in-demand value of capacitor. The tasks executed by the Arduino for correcting the low power factor by selecting the in demand value of capacitor and load monitoring are shown in LCD.

Project customization is also available.