Automatic Power Factor Control Research Articles

Low-Cost System with Transient Reduction for Automatic Power Factor Controller in Three-Phase Low-Voltage Installations

In power engineering, the importance of maintaining a high power factor in low-voltage electrical installations is known. In power substations for industry, the usual method of coupling is to use an automatic power factor controller which connects capacitors banks (with electromagnetic contactors). Sometimes, AC reactors are connected to the phases of the capacitors banks (to reduce transient phenomena and the deforming regime), depending on the desired value of the power factor. This paper presents an analysis (more focused on experimentation) of a low-cost system for automatic regulation of the power factor with a reduction in transients and an increase in the life of contactors (eliminating the electric arc during switching on), with capacitors banks for low-voltage three-phase installations that connect the capacitors banks by means of one three-phase solid-state relay (an expensive device for a quality device; one is used for all capacitors banks) and using several electromagnetic contactors. The automatic power factor adjustment system has a controller with a microprocessor with six outputs, controlled by the phase shift between the current (measured with a current transformer proportional to the current in a bar) and the phase voltage, which is part of a system of distribution bars (L1,2,3, N) from which electrical consumers (e.g., induction motors) are supplied. To reduce transients when connecting capacitors banks, a three-phase solid-state relay and two related electromagnetic contactors are used for each capacitors bank. The automatic power factor controller is connected to two low-capacity PLCs that control the logic of connecting the capacitors banks to reduce transients. By using the proposed regulation system, a cheaper control solution is obtained compared to the use of one solid-state relay for each capacitors banks, under the conditions in which the power factor adjustment is made as in the classic solution. If twelve capacitors banks are used, the proposed installation is 22.57% cheaper than the classical power factor regulation installation.

Review Scope on Design & Operation of Automatic Power Factor Controller Circuit with Artificial Intelligence using Fuzzy Logic

This paper shows the scope of making an automatic Power Factor controller with the help of Fuzzy Logic. A Single-phase PF circuit is taken for experimental purposes in two sets of capacitor banks. Single-phase supply connected to Induction Motor as load considering for power factor correction. Capacitor along with its circuit connected in parallel to the Induction Motor. Selection of capacitor is done based on multiplier table using K Factor along with initial Cos of the load. Incoming control from MCB and current measurement are done at incoming as well as on capacitor banks individually. Seeking best selection, represent the relation between KVAr and µF. Results show we got desired permutations & combinations of data for making the FLC rule table. By this, we also thought about the industrial application using reactive power during the jerking load and sleep mode of machines.

Performance evaluation of a 200 kWp grid tied solar power plant

Grid tied solar power plants are found to be very adaptable for academic institutions as the load profile almost matches with the generation profile. For the academic institution under consideration, optimum capacity of the solar power plant is arrived at as 250 kWp, based on studies carried out. Since the institution was already having a plant of 50 kWp, it is decided to augment it with another solar plant of 200 kW capacity. The normal power supply available from the utility was not very reliable, which leads to frequent power failures. Hence a 200 kVA capacity Diesel Generator (DG) was provided for standby power requirement. An automatic power factor control (APFC) unit is also provided to improve the power factor of the system. During commissioning, the performance of the 200 kWp solar power plant was assessed based on the measurement of various parameters at site and were compared with the standard specifications. Integrated operation of the system was carried out and few operating difficulties were faced. In this paper, performance evaluation test results of 200 kWp solar plant, experience in integrated operation, the difficulties faced and the measures adopted to rectify them are discussed.

Analysis of a two-unit automatic power factor controller system with priority to inspection over repair/replacement

For the present paper, a reliability model of automatic power factor controller working in industrial companies has been developed using regenerative point technique. The system for the study consists of two cold standby identical units. Initially, the system is operative with controlled power factor. The inspection is carried out to detect the type of failure which can be due to fuse blown off, transformer burnt, programming problem, output relay faulty. But different type of failure requires different time to repair/replacement. Priority is given to repair/replacement based on estimated values of repair/replacement rates for different type of failure. Hence it is required to detect the type of failure as soon as possible which can be done by inspection only. In view of this, inspection is given priority over repair/replacement also. The various reliability indices of system effectiveness are obtained and graphs have been plotted for economic analysis of the system.

Development and evaluation of automatic power factor controller with simplified control logic

Development and evaluation of automatic power factor controller with simplified control logic

Analysis of a two-unit automatic power factor controller system with priority to inspection over repair/replacement

Analysis of a two-unit automatic power factor controller system with priority to inspection over repair/replacement

스마트미터를 활용한 건축물의 전력에너지 절감 및 효율화 방안

본 논문에서는 스마트미터를 활용한 건축물의 전력에너지 절감 및 효율화 방안에 대하여 실험하였다. 전력에너지 절감을 위해 개선된 자동역률제어시스템(APFC)을 제안하고, 수요전력의 억제(Demand Control) 방안을 제시하였다. 이는 스마트미터의 ICT 기술을 통하여 실시간 양방향으로 콘덴서 뱅킹과 차단기를 직접 제어함으로써 이루어진다. 개선된 APFC는 콘덴서 뱅킹을 보다 다양화하기 위해 이종 용량의 콘덴서를 직병렬 혼합 결선하여 구성함으로써 구축 비용을 최소화 한다. 상기 기능을 위해 Atmel사의 AVR465를 이용하여 PLC 및 Zigbee 통신기능을 갖는 스마트미터를 설계하였다. 24시간 운영되는 숙박시설에 대하여 테스트한 결과 역률은 95%이상을 유지하였고, 과보상은 발생하지 않았음을 확인할 수 있었다. In this paper, We implement a power-saving and efficient measures in buildings using the smart-meter. In order to save electric power energy, We propose an improved automatic power-factor controller(APFC) and demand control measures. This is achieved by controlling directly circuit breakers and the capacitor bank feeders in real time via a two-way smart-meter's ICT skills. Improved APFC is minimizing installation costs by series-parallel connecting heterologous capacitors to form a more diverse capacitor banking and controlling using the smart-meter. In order to suppress the demand power, We have designed a smart-meter with communication functions using Atmel's AVR465 and tested an operated lodging building for 24-hours. As a result, We made sure to always retained more than 95% power factor and did not occur over compensation.

Effect on Power Quality in Distribution System by Introduction of Automatic Power Factor Controller in High Voltage Consumers

Effect on Power Quality in Distribution System by Introduction of Automatic Power Factor Controller in High Voltage Consumers

Actual Condition on Application of Automatic Power-factor Controller with Static Capacity in Power ReceivingEquipment

Actual Condition on Application of Automatic Power-factor Controller with Static Capacity in Power ReceivingEquipment

Design of automatic power factor control system

Maintenance of the proper power factor is a very important matter for the industry and for the economy of any country. A study of the power factor values for a number of industrial plants in Botswana shows that they operate at power-factors lower than the optimal values. If a plant power factor is different from its optimal value, this will cause considerable loses in terms of investments for larger power generation and supply equipment and in terms of heat dissipation from the supply lines and other equipment. To improve the power factor and keep it at an optimal value, there are a number of preventative measures, as well as corrective actions that could be implemented. The power factor of a plant changes, depending on the number of electrical units operating at a time. After a full analysis of the power factor issue and its optimal case, an automatic control is designed that may maintain the power factor of a plant within values close to optimal. Similar automatic power factor control system can be introduced for all industrial plants with unsatisfactory power factor throughout the country that can improve considerably the efficiency of power utilization Keywords: Control system, power factor, power utilization, optimal value Botswana Journal of Technology Vol.13(1) 2004: 26-33

Maximising energy capture from distributed generators in weak networks

The paper discusses the implications of the increasing capacity of synchronous generators at the remote ends of rural distribution networks where the line resistances are high and the X/R ratios are low. Local voltage variation is specifically examined and two methods of compensation are proposed. The first of them is a deterministic system that uses a set of rules to switch intelligently between voltage and power factor control modes, while the second is based on a fuzzy inference system that adjusts the reference setting of the automatic power factor controller in response to the terminal voltage. Extensive simulations have verified that the proposed approaches may increase the export of real power while maintaining voltage within the statutory limits.