BS-EE FINAL YEAR PROJECT PROPOSAL

Low-Cost Autonomous Power Factor Controlling Device

PREPARED BY:
All Team Members

SUPERVISOR
ENGR. Hamayun Aziz

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

FEDERAL URDU UNIVERSITY OF ARTS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY,
ISLAMABAD
 BS-EE FINAL YEAR PROJECT PROPOSAL

Low-Cost Autonomous Power Factor Controlling Device

PREPARED BY:
All Team Members

SUPERVISOR
ENGR. Hamayun Aziz

_________________________________
Signature

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

FEDERAL URDU UNIVERSITY OF ARTS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY,
ISLAMABAD
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER NO. 1 4
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Background
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Project Objectives
1.4 Scope of the Project
1.5 Significance of the Project
CHAPTER NO. 2 9
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Existing Technologies
2.1.1 Synchronous Condenser
2.1.2 Static Compensation
2.1.3 Phase Advancer
2.2 Problem
2.2.1 Proposed Solution
2.3 Low Cost Autonomous Power Factor Correction
2.3.1 Advantages
2.3.2 Capacitor Bank
2.4 Summary
CHAPTER NO 3. 12
PROPOSED WORK AND METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Project Model
3.2.1 Project Topology
3.3 Proposed Project Scheme
3.4 Project Methodology
3.4.1 Alogrithm
3.4.2 Flow Chart
CHAPTER NO 4. 16
EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND CONCLUSION
4.1 Expected Project Outcomes
4.2 Conclusion
5. REFERENCES 17

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 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Background

In this age when technology is growing so fastly, the power system is getting more complex over
time due to the increased quantity of high voltage, power electronics, and electronic equipment.
In this Power system, it is very important to look for the losses so that we can balance our
system. For a country like Pakistan who has already shortage of electricity, it's more dominant.
Power factors affect efficiencies and costs for both the industries and the consumers [ CITATION
Ste99 \l 1033 ]. The main factor behind the power loss is the increase of Inductive load due to
welding, mercury lamps, chokes, coils, induction furnaces and motors, transformers, neon signs,
voltage regulation and many more, day by day in Industries as well as at the domestic level, due
to which our power system is losing its efficiency.
Power Factor
The power factor is the cosine of the phase difference between voltage and current. It is also the
cosine of the angle of the load impedance [CITATION Cha17 \l 1033 ]. The power factor is defined
as “ The ratio of the real power flowing to the load, to the apparent power in the circuit”
[CITATION IEE00 \l 1033 ].
In Simple Words we can say that the wave difference between Voltage and Current is the Power
factor, it is the relationship between Real and Apparent Power. It is the measurement by which
we can check how efficient is our system and electrical machines and equipment with the help of
power consumption.
Active Power
Power Factor=cos ∅=
Apparent Power
Apparent power becomes greater than real power because of reactive loads which cause to
increase phase angle between V & I. Power Triangle is shown in figure 2.1

Fig. 2.1 Power Triagnle

Let's see what are these terms i.e active, reactive and apparent power.

 Active Power

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It is the true power which is actully consumed by the load, it’s unit is watt(W) usually measured
in KW. Active power is the product of voltage V, current I and cosine of angle between them.

Active Power=VI cos ∅

Where ∅ is the angle between voltage and Current.

 Reactive Power

The amount of unused power that is devloped by reactive components is called as Reactive
power. It is the power that is stored into inductive components and then released. It is the power
which is disipiated due to inductive and capacitive loads. It is measured in VAR (Volt-amperes
reactive). It is the product of voltage V, current I and sine of angle between them.

Reactive Power=VI sin ∅

Where ∅ is the angle between voltage and current

Infact reactive power is the power loss of the system that can’t utilized. It is also required for the
magnatization of the motor. Reactive power effects stability of the system, expenses and its
voltage control system. Due inductive loads reactive power and apparent power get increased in
the power system which makes the Power Factor poor.

 Apparent Power

Apparent power is the combination Voltage and current or of Active (real) and Reactive Power.
It’s unit is VA(volt-amperes) usually measured in KVA.

Apparent Power=VI

 Causes of Low Power Factor

Following are the major causes for low power factor

 Induction Motors
 Heating Furnaces
 Discharge High Intensity lamps
 Transformers
 Harmonic Current
 Welding Equipment

Lamps operated with chokes and mercury vapours and all other Inductive loads are the main
reasons behind Low power facor.

 Leading and Lagging Power Factor

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These two are major terms that are associated with the power factor. The power factor is
described by the phase difference between waveforms of current and voltages. There are two
conditions about phase difference, either it will be leading or lagging. In leading, as described
from the name, current lead the voltages. In lagging, the voltage will lead the current, or current
will lag the voltages.

 Figure Below indicates the phase anlle between V & I is zero as shown in vector diagram
too. It is called as unity power factor.

Fig. 2.2 Current and voltage are in-phase, the phase

difference is zero

 Figure below is indicating Voltages are lagging behind the current , P.F is Leading

Fig. 2.3 Current is leading the voltages, Leading Power factor

 In the figure below, the voltages are leading the current with some angle.

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 Fig. 2.4 Voltages leading the current, Lagging Power
Factor

 Inductive load are the causes of power factor lagging, as consumes reactive power.
Capacitive loads causes the leading power factor as it generates Reactive Power

To meet this problem, we need to improve our power factor appropriately.

1.2 Problem Statement

Poor power factor is an obstacle everywhere at industrial level. As electricity is the major
component to decide the manufacturing cost of products, when power factor becomes poor as net
industrial loads are highly inductive, there may be few resistive load and very rarely have
capacitive loads like synchronous motors which is causing the power factor lagging. If this very
poor power factor left as is it, the industry will be charged high amount of electricity charges by
the Power Distribution companies.
Thus a poor power factor cause to increase in electricity bills which leads to increase the
manufacturing cost of products. Low Power factor creating following problem for our system
 Increased Copper losses
 Poor Voltage regulation
 Increase in Conductor size and cost
 Low Efficient system
 Plenty in Electricity Cost
 More circuits needed to be installed

1.3 Project Objectives

Our prime objective of this project is to design a device to monitor, reduce power losses and
enhancing power quality by upgrading the power factor. Intercepting the lagging power factor by

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spontaneous capacitor switching to maintain the level of our desired power factor to fulfill the
standard norms as per load demand. Major objectives of this project are listed below
 Reducing Current in our circuit i.e line losses
 Reducing Billing Demand
 Enhancing load Carrying Capacity in the existing system
 Saving the system from installing more Circuits
 Improving Voltages
 Fewer Power losses 

1.4 Scope of the Project

A huge problem arises for a developing country like Pakistan who is facing energy crisis in the
electricity sector. More than that, having no proper energy monitoring and power factor
upgrading system due to inductive causing power losses leading to more power consumption to
run the existing load. So, there should be a proper system to monitor our load and power factor
not just to reduce power losses but also to save electricity to meet electricity shortage in
Pakistan.
Low-Cost Autonomous Power Factor Controlling Device using capacitors will reduce charges of
power factor improvement method also that of electricity. No manpower will be required to
operate this system as it will work automatically. So it can be used at the industrial and domestic
level in the future.
1.5 Significance of the Project

In this era of technology, energy-efficient utilization is carefully thought about as primary

motivation whether in industries, domestic, or at power grid stations. Power Factor suggests how
efficient it is for useful purposes. Most industrial machines have notable poor power factor.
Heavy loads draw a large amount of current which results in a voltage drop that contributes to
joule line losses. It produces heat in the motor’s winding which causes to reduce motor life,
credibility, and torque resulting in low performance of machines. Due to poor factor increased
demand of apparent power (KVA) causes high electricity service charges.

By improving our power factor, we can run our existing same load with less power consumption,
we can increase load-carrying capacity within the same conductor, power transformer, and
circuit. This work will reduce the demand charges of electricity for industries thus manufacturing
cost of the product will be reduced. Reduction in power losses and makes our system improved
and more efficient. Low-Cost Autonomous Power Factor Controlling Device will significantly
avoid the industry from updating its existing circuits i.e wires, transformers, and other electrical
equipment. Industry will be able to install more plants in the existing system.

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 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Existing Technologies

Following methods are being used to improve the power factor in Energy Sectors explained
below

2.1.1 Synchronous Condenser:           

This is a DC-Excited Synchronous motor that is not connected to any load. Its purpose is to just
only run on no-load condition. As we have study above the nature of synchronous motor is
Capacitive, it takes current leading the voltage with an angle of 90 degrees. Simply it behaves
like a capacitor. Thus in this way we achieve our goal of power factor correction by connecting
the synchronous condenser parallel to our inductive nature load [ CITATION Igb15 \l 1033 ].

2.1.2 Static Compensation:

In this technique, static Capacitors are connected parallel to the inductive loads which are
making the power factor poor to improve the power factor, the current is drawn from the
capacitor to overcome the lagging power factor[ CITATION Igb15 \l 1033 ].

2.1.3 Phase Advancer:

Phase advancer which is also known as AC exciter is used for induction motors to improve the
power factor. When the induction motor starts working, it draws a lagging excitation current
from the supply. For this, we mount the shaft of the motor with a phase advancer which provides
excitation current to improve the power factor.

2.2 Problem:

 Synchronous Condensor required high maintenance and running cost, produces noise,
having power losses, Continuous cooling is required, an additional start circuit is
required, it has no self-starting torque and it creates more complexities for our system.
[ CITATION Igb15 \l 1033 ]
 Static Compensation requires special breakers and arrangement, unfeasible repair, having
a short life and they are damaged easily with higher voltages[ CITATION Igb15 \l
1033 ].
 Phase advancer can’t be worked for the motor below 200 H.P (150 KW).  

2.2.1 Proposed Solution:

Due to the above problems we are facing, we are willing to make an intelligent, smart and low
cost device which will activate the capacitor on load demand. Our this proposed work will be
able to work automatically instead of manual system, low-cost, long life, with no motor and
moving parts. That’s why in futre it can be used at industrial and domestic level.

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2.3 Low Cost Autonomous Power Factor Correction

The process of increasing the power factor without altering the voltage or current to the original
load is known as power factor correction [ CITATION Cha17 \l 1033 ] . It is a process of
counterbalancing unwanted impacts of loads that are making the power factor less than our
desired value. This process may apply at grid stations before supplying electricity to the users or
may be applied at industries or domestic level to improve the efficiency of the system and to
reduce electric dues.
Collection of capacitors are applied to the circuit which contains inductive load to lower the
inductive effect and losses. Automatic capacitors are installed at the main coming power, while
fixed capacitor are installed on individual motors [ CITATION Mus \l 1033 ] . The Amount and size
of the capacitor connected depend on the load.
Resistive Components of motor current are loss current and load current, while inductive
components of the motor component are Magnetizing current and leakage reactance.
Shunt capacitors are used in the power Factor correction, the supply reactive power to counter
the phase diffrence that is caused by inductive load which result to improve power factor and
voltage regulation. Capacitor banks can be fixed, swiched or both. Capacitor banks are rugged
and simple to configure and install [ CITATION Oom881 \l 1033 ].

2.3.1 Advantages
Power Factor improvement will give us the following Benefits [ CITATION Don55 \l 1033 ]
 Making Our system High Efficient
 Improve the Voltages 
 Reduce Power losses
 Fewer Electricity Dues
More than that Power Factor correction increases the load-carrying capacity of our existing
circuit. Through this, we can put more load on the system without changing Transformer and
electric cables.

2.3.2 Capacitor Bank

The collection of the capacitor of the same size bounded together in a non-conductive metal box
is called a Capacitor bank. Capacitor bank may be fixed or switched. Automatic capacitors are
installed at the main coming power, while fixed capacitors are installed on individual motors
[ CITATION Mus \l 1033 ]. In a power grid system, the capacitors are connected in parallel. The
purpose of the shunt capacitor is to provide KVAR whenever required. The shunt capacitor came
in the value of KVAr. But we studied capacitors are in Farad. So KVAr is the amount of reactive
power that it gives us. While the unit of the capacitor is Farad. We can convert KVAr into Farad
by the following relationship [ CITATION Ste94 \l 1033 ]

VAR
C=
2 πf ×V 2R

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Where C= capacitor in farad
VAR= var (Volt Ampere Reactive) Rating
f=rated frequency
Vr=rated capacitor voltage

2.4 Summary
Power Factor is an important factor in the AC system. Consumption of power at the industrial or
domestic level directly depends on the Power Factor. As
P=VI cos ∅
P
cos ∅=
VI
So
1
cos ∅ ∝
I
We can see Power Factor is Inversely Proportional to the Current. When a high amount of
Current drawn from the Circuit due to inductive loads, so power factor became low which
creates many problems. A poor Power factor produces heat in the motor’s winding which causes
to reduce motor life, credibility, and torque resulting in low performance of machines. Low
Power Factor causes high copper losses and Voltage drop that reduces system efficiency. Due to
these reasons, it is very important to improve our power factor appropriately. Mostly our loads
are inductive like motors at the domestic level and the industrial level loads are heavy induction
motors, welding plants, high-intensity lamps, heating furnaces, transformers, and many more.
Very few industries have capacitive loads like synchronous motors, motor starter circuit, Radio
Circuit, T.V Picture tube, and Generators. So, due to more inductive load, our power factor
became poor. To meet this, we need to add some capacitive load like capacitor banks in the
circuit to cancel our inductive effect in our system because Inductive and Capacitive loads are
opposite to each other and leave active power in the circuit.

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 CHAPTER 3

PROPOSED WORK AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction:

The Autonomous Power Factor Controlling device is an embedded system having a

Microcontroller at its core. Power signals such as voltage and current will be sampled from the
system and then taken as the input for our system Autonomous Power Factor Controlling device.
Our system will check and observe the waveforms of input signals i.e Voltage and current. The
system will check the phase angle between these two signals and indicates the phase difference.
These things will be checked and quantify by the internal timer and give us the wave difference
which will help our logical system in calculating the existing Power Factor. The system will
compare this value with our predefined desirable power factor level. The results will be noted
and for switching the relays connected to the capacitor bank. All these values will be displayed
on LCD.
3.2 Project Model:

Fig. 3.1 Project Model

CT: Current Transformer
PT: Potential (Voltage) Transformer

The above-given figure 3.1 is the Project Model of Autonomous Power Factor Controlling
Device working on the postulate of persistently tracking the phase difference between voltage
and current to monitor Power Factor. So that in case of poor power factor (below the value of
power factor that we desire) it could make correct by connecting the load with capacitor banks
through relays to reduce the inductive effect.

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3.2.1 Project Topology:

As Project Model in figure 3.1 briefly explains above. The main Topologies of this system are
explained below.

 Zero Crossing Detector:

Zero crossing detector is sine to square wave converter. It is the comparator circuit, which will
use to calculate phase lag between our input signals i.e current and voltages, which will result to
give us lagging phase angle. The power factor of the circuit will be calculated using this phase
angle. Zero crossing detector is an application of an operational amplifier comparator circuit.
Inverting and non-inverting, both can be used as Zero Crossing Detector.

 Reverse Polarity Protection:

Polarity matters in the DC circuit. By mistakenly when we place opposite terminals, reverse
polarity damages the circuit. To meet this undesirable issue, a bridge rectifier for reverse polarity
safety will be used to protect the system from damage when polarity changes.

 Power Supply:
For operating voltages, the embedded system normally uses 5 and 12 DC Volts, So we have to
convert the 220V AC to DC Supply step by step. In the 1st stage, 220 AC Voltage will be
stepping down to 12V AC using a Transformer. In the 2nd stage, we will do rectification. 12V
AC will be rectified into 12V DC. In the 3rd stage, filters will be used for pulsating DC to give
as pure 12V DC. In the 4th stage, voltage regulators will be used to generate our required stable
12V and 5V DC Power supply.

 Control Unit:
The main brain of any system is its controller, which processes all algorithms and makes
decisions on what to do in the given condition. We need such kind of controller that should be
highly efficient, high speed and low cost and that should able to complete the task efficiently and
quickly. The microController is such a controller which fulfills our required needs.

 Display Unit:
Displaying different parameters of our system, we need some graphic representation of data. To
meet our low-Cost requirement. LCD (liquid crystal display ) is the best choice. For this, we can
use a 16x2 or 20x4 LCD to interface with Microcontroller to display voltage, current, power, and
power factor. 

 Relay Unit:
Relay is an electric device that is used for switching. The controller we are using can’t directly
control the switching of capacitors. For this purpose, we need a fast switching circuit. Relays are
the best option for switching according to our requirements. This unit will be responsible for
switching capacitors using low power.

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3.3 PROPOSED PROJECT SCHEME

Power signals i.e Current and Voltage signals will be taken from current and voltage signals
from Current transformer CT & Voltage Transformer PT respectively. CT and PT will take their
inputs from the incoming power supply and then make it step down so that the measuring circuit
could be able to read small values of current and voltage to calculate the lagging power factor.
Our controlling system after knowing the lagging factor will switch the relays connected to
capacitor banks on to make the lagging factor improved. Providing the Capacitive load to the
circuit will normalize the inductive characteristics of the load. As shown in Schematic Diagram
Fig. 3.2.

Fig. 3.2 Schematic Diagram

3.4 Project Methodology

Methodolgy of the Project is that the Signals of voltage and current from our system will be sampled
and taken to measure the Power Factor and will display if it less than our specified value by the utility,
then our device will automatically switch on capacitors to remunerate the reactive power. The quantity of
capacitors turned on or off will be decided by the microcontroller according to the reactive power
required to improve the Power Factor.

3.4.1 Algorithm:

 Taking waveform of voltage and current from the system

 Quantifiyng the lagging power factor
 Comparing the existing and desireable power factor
 Turning on number of capacitors to improve power factor
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  Again comparing existing and desireable power factor and cnd continue from step-1

3.4.2 Flow Chart:

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 CHAPTER 4
EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND CONLUSION

4.1 EXPECTED PROJECT OUTCOMES

Expected Project Outcomes is to monitor the Power Factor with a proper algorithm to enhance the power
quality in the system by making the power factor near to unity. This will help to reduce losses from the
system, makes our system much more efficient, reduces the chances of electricity for consumers, and
makes our system burden free by reducing the load on the system. It will measure the power factor in the
first. If the value of the power Factor is below our desired value of the Power Factor then our system will
counteract it by activating relays for switching on the collection of capacitors connected to it. By
installing Suitable sized Power capacitors into the circuit the power factor is improved and the value
becomes nearer to 0.9 thus minimizing line losses and improving the efficiency of the plant. It reduces the
heavy current drawn because of inductive load using a complete algorithm and controller to turn on
capacitors automatically. Bringing the Power Factor towards unity to get rid of high losses for electricity
companies and fewer the cost for industries and domestic level.

4.2 Conclusion:

Our project will provide an efficient and low-cost way to improve power factor at power
distribution companies, industrial and domestic level. The system we are willing to make will
use the capacitors only when the power factor lies below our desire limit of power factor
otherwise capacitors will be disconnected, this will became possible by the strong switching
way. This will not only about just suitably improving power factor but also static capacitor will
able to be used for a long time.
Our project will be designed based on microcontroller and capacitor banks will use to measure
and monitor the Power factor. Our power factor correction device will able to improve the power
according to our desire. It will save the users from plenty of charges for electricity. It will make
the system more efficient by reducing the amount of current drawn by inductive loads.
This technique can be applied by power systems, households, and industries to make the power
system and electric equipment stable, losses free, high efficient, and long life. The usage of the
Microcontroller will reduce the cost of the Power Factor improvement technique. Usage of relays
will make the life of capacitors long as they will switch on capacitor only when the power factor
needs to be improved.

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 References
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Charles, K., & Matthew, N. (2017). Fundamental of Electric Circuits. McGraw-Hill Education.

IEEE standard, t. (2000). The Authoritative Dictionary of IEEE Standard Term. IEEEE 100.

Igbinovia, F., Fandi, G., Svec, J., Muller, Z., & Tlusty, J. (2015). Comapative Review of Reactive
Power Compensation Technologies. 16th International Scientific Conference on Electric
Power Engineering, (pp. 2-7).

Musthafa, .., M., S., & K., S. (n.d.). Analysis of Dynamic Power Factor correction using flexible AC
Transmission Systems. International Journal of Engineering Research and Application,
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Oommen, M., & Kohler, J. (1988). Power Factor and Power Factor Control Alternatives for
mines. Conference Record of the 1988 IEEE industry Application Society Annual Meeting,
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Stephen, J. (1999). Electric Machinery and power system fundamentals.

Stevenson Jr, W., & Grainger, J. (1994). Power System Analysis. McGraw-Hill Education.

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