Implementation of Power Factor Correction Using Solid State Switched Capacitors

This paper deals with the implementation of automatic power factor correction system using solid state switched capacitors and Arduino UNO controller. The main objectives are to reduce the line loss, to reduce reactive power flows on the line and to avoid switching surge overvoltage due to switching on/off the capacitors. This paper describes the design and simulation of power factor correction using Arduino UNO controller. The power factor from the load is measured by using zero crossing circuit and phase shift detector, and then calculated the power factor according to the program and LCD will be used for display. This paper provides implementation done on Arduino UNO microcontroller using C language software to program the microcontroller, Arduino program to determine time lag between current and voltage and Proteus 7.7 to simulate the power factor according to the load. This system senses the power factor and with the help of microcontroller switches, required number of capacitors in the capacitor bank. In this system, the reactive power will be generated by the bank of static capacitors. Design and simulation will be done by using the LM 358, MOC 3052, BTA 41, ICs, Arduino UNO Microcontroller and LCD display in this system.