Automated Unified Power Factor Controller

Tan, Edwin Boon Huang (2016) Automated Unified Power Factor Controller. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

This project describes the Automated Unified Power Factor Controller (UPFC) by using the Arduino UNO microcontroller. In this design work, the design UPFC is only applicable for the single phase system which is 240V and 13A. During the design process, current transformer is used as a sensor to detect the line current and voltage transformer has the purposes to step down the voltage and also provide isolation to the Arduino microcontroller. There are two zero crossing-over detectors which are used to detect the phase angle between the voltage and current signals. These signals will be sent to the microcontroller to perform the calculations. The current sensor is used to measure the AC current in rms value from the load. With the information gathered, the real-time values such as power factor, real and reactive powers can be monitored through the LCD display. Apart from that, once these values are detected, the reactive power compensation can be done automatically by using the relay module to turn on the required reactive component to improve the power factor. However, the prototype of UPFC has been develop into the PCB board and sealed into a box with the connection of other electrical component. In addition, this project consists of the result on comparison by using the power factor meter and simulation. From the result obtained, the design UPFC shows an excellent accuracy, efficiency and performance in terms of the power factor, frequency and power parameters. Although the project had been completed, the graphical user interface, integration to the three phase system, true rms of measurement; power protection and filters will be the future implementation for this UPFC project.