Programming of PIC Micro-Controller for Power Factor Correction

Abstract

In recent years, the power quality of the AC system has become a great concern due to the rapidly increased numbers of electronic equipment, power electronics and high voltage power system. In order to reduce harmonic contamination in power lines and improve transmission efficiency, power factor correction research became a hot topic. Many control methods for the power factor correction (PFC) were proposed. This paper describes the design and development of a three-phase power factor corrector using PIC (programmable interface circuit) micro-controlling chip. This involves sensing and measuring the power factor value from the load using PIC and sensors, then using proper algorithm to determine and trigger sufficient switching capacitors in order to compensate excessive reactive components, thus withdraw PF near to unity; as a result acquires higher efficiency and better quality AC output. Various power factor correction methods will also be discussed upon their applications in a specific sections