Automatic Power Factor Controller Project Using 8051
Microcontroller
To design an Automatic Power Factor Controller
Project Using an 8051 Microcontroller.
8051 Controller, LCD, Diode, Capacitors, 7805 Voltage
Regulator, 5mm & 10 mm red and green LED’s,
potentiometer, resistors, jumpers, transistor BC547,
Relay ( Electromechanical ), AC Capacitor Bank, Heavy
current wiring, Op Amp 741, Transformer 12-0-12, PCB,
Resistive Load, Inductive Load, Buzzer, Soldering Wire,
Soldering Role, etc.
Keil Compiler to compile the code and Cadsoft Eagle to
design the PCB.
The primary objective of the project was to design
correction equipment which can monitor the power factor
of the mine electrical framework and enhance the power
factor to the desired value.
Power Supply Section
8051 Microcontroller Section
Inductive & Resistive Load
Capacitor Bank
Relay Drivers to Drive the Capacitor Bank
Capacitor Bank attached to Relay Drivers
Zero Sensing Circuit
Main Microcontroller Board
1. Use in renewable energy systems such as solar and wind
power systems to improve the power factor and save energy.
2. Use in electric vehicles to improve the power factor and
save energy.
3. Use in power plants to improve the power factor and save
energy.
4. Use in factories and other commercial and industrial
buildings to improve the power factor and save energy.
5. Use in homes to improve the power factor and save energy.
6. Use in office buildings to improve the power factor and save
energy.
7. Use in schools to improve the power factor and save energy.
8. Use in hospitals to improve the power factor and save energy.
9. Use in government buildings to improve the power factor and
save energy.
10. Use in any building or system where improving the power
factor and saving energy is desired.
The designed equipment was studied on the laboratory scale; it can be implemented in
the mine substations with the proper protection to verify the operation in a real-time
environment.
In the case of automatic PF correction, if the load is changing frequently, the numerous
switching of the capacitor bank may cause the harmonic problems. A suitable filter
design as well as an optimum algorithm design can be done based on the frequent load
change pattern to avoid regular switching of the capacitor bank.
A comparative study on the location of correction equipment may be employed in the
field to find out the optimum location referring to maximum utilization and savings.
It can be used where you need to improve the power factor of the supply. So the future
scope of this project is very very bright because of it’s global demands
Power factor correction equipment designed based on microcontroller and capacitor banks
was used for measurement and monitoring of modelled electrical load and the following
deductions were obtained:
The power factor correction device designed was able to improve the power factor
from 0.76 to 0.97 under the test load conditions.
The average savings in energy consumption was about 1.7% for the designed load
and different load patterns.
With the proper amount of reactive power compensation, the system capacity is
released as there is a reduction in the current drawn.
The economic analysis suggested the payback period to be around 9 months with a
significant amount of savings in energy costs.
