Automatic power factor control using Arduino UNO

Abstract

This study shows how to construct automated the power factor correction (APFC) system for single phase home loads in simple and low-cost manner. To adjust the power factor of inductive loads, the suggested a system employs a relay to swap the capacitor banks. An Arduino board is used to control Relay's switching. By detecting the signal from CT, PT, and Zero Cross Detectors (ZCDs), the Arduino is programmed to continuously monitor and calculate the power factor of the attaching the load, and to maintain the power factor of the load well above reference value (0.9) by properly energizing the capacitors in parallel to the attaching a load via Relay switching. Also on LCD, the power factor numbers, as well as the current before and after an improvement, are presented. The suggested APFC a design's a hardware prototype is also being built in order to test its functionality. The APFC system testing is verified that the proposed a design produces a dependable output and may be utilized in any single phase a practical application to assure a power factor near to one.