Three phase power factor improvement system

Project Title

Three phase power factor improvement system

Project Area of Specialization Electrical/Electronic EngineeringProject Summary

In this project we are designing a Three-Phase Power Factor Improvement System using Arduino. This involves sensing and measuring the power factor value from the load using Arduino and sensors, then using proper algorithm to determine and trigger sufficient switching of capacitors in order to bring power factor close to unity. The system will be comprised of both auto and manual switching of capacitors. It will be used to improve power factor of a 3-phase induction motor. 

Project Objectives

1. Auto and manual switching of capacitor banks.
2. PT and CT for sensing voltage and current respectively.
3. Phase difference between voltage and current will be calculated.
4. Contactors for switching and protection of capacitors.
5. Measured and calculated parameters will be displayed on LCD.

       6. Protection for system and load.

Project Implementation Method

BLOCK DIAGRAM:

Benefits of the Project

By improving power factor following demerits of poor power factor can be prevented.

1) Large kVA rating of equipment:

Since kVA rating of the equipment is inversely proportional to power factor. The smaller the power factor, the larger is the kVA rating. Therefore, at low power factor, the kVA rating of the equipment has to be increased, making the equipment larger and expensive

2) Greater conductor size:

To transmit or distribute a fixed amount of power at constant voltage, the conductor will have to carry more current at low power factor. This necessitates large conductor size.

3) Large copper losses:

The large current at low power factor causes more I2R losses in all the elements of the supply system. This results in poor efficiency.

4) Poor voltage regulation:

The large current at low lagging power factor causes greater voltage drops in alternators, transformers, transmission lines and distributors. This results in the decreased voltage available at the supply end, thus impairing the performance of utilization devices. In order to keep the receiving end voltage within permissible limits, extra equipment (i.e., voltage regulators) is required.

5) Reduced handling capacity

The lagging power factor reduces the handling capacity of all the elements of the system. It is because the reactive component of current prevents the full utilization of installed capacity. The above disadvantages leads to the conclusion that low power factor is an objectionable feature in the supply system, hence a low power factor should be improved.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

•  An induction motor is used as a variable load.
• When loaad of a induction motor decreases power factor falls under a desirable value which in turn causes increase in current.
• Here Arduino will sense power factor through potential transformer and current transformer.
•  Voltage and current signal are fed to a zero cross detector which finds the pulse width.
• The pulse is fed to Arduino which calculates the power factor.
• Arduino selects the capacitor to be connected in order to improve power factor.
• Finally the values are displayed on LCD.

Final Deliverable of the Project Hardware SystemCore Industry Energy Other Industries Others Core Technology OthersOther Technologies Shared EconomySustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean Energy, Responsible Consumption and ProductionRequired Resources

Item Name	Type	No. of Units	Per Unit Cost (in Rs)	Total (in Rs)
			Total in (Rs)	40350
3 phase induction motor	Equipment	1	10000	10000
Arduino	Equipment	2	500	1000
miniature circuit breaker	Equipment	1	1500	1500
capacitor	Equipment	6	800	4800
Current Transformer	Equipment	1	800	800
Potential Transformer	Equipment	1	750	750
Relay Driver	Equipment	6	200	1200
LCD	Equipment	1	500	500
Contactors	Equipment	6	1500	9000
Selector Switch	Equipment	1	500	500
Push Buttons	Equipment	6	50	300
Structure	Miscellaneous	1	10000	10000