IOT-Based Automatic Power Factor Correction (APFC) Unit for Industries to Curtail the Retribution of Power Utility Companies

Abstract

Power and power factor are the most important parameters in the AC electrical systems. Usually, the domestic loads are mostly resistive type and power factor of such loads is almost near to unity. But the industrial loads almost are of the inductive type and they will take the lagging reactive power for their operation. So, power factor of industrial loads is generally very less. But the electrical distribution companies have certain standard values for power factor, and if it goes beyond the specified limit, the electrical utility companies impose penalty the consumers. So, the industrial consumers should have to maintain the power factor within the range specified by the power utility companies. In view of this to curtail the retribution of power distribution companies on industries, an automatic power factor correction (APFC) unit is designed using Arduino Uno which has inbuilt ATMega328 microcontroller. This microcontroller is programmed to calculate the power factor and if it is not within the specified limits, it will automatically send the signals to the relay module to connect the capacitors in parallel to the line. This addition of capacitors to the line will help in maintaining the power factor within limits and penalty to industries will be minimized. If the power factor is not set within limits by this APFC unit, the information regarding this will be sent to the industry manager through the Internet of things (IOT) for necessary actions.