Capacitive Load Banks for Power Factor Correction with

Automatic and Manual mode setting

This project provides continuous power factor correction using capacitive bank loading. Power

factor is a measure of how effectively you are using electricity. Various types of power are at

work to provide us with electrical energy. Improving the PF can maximize current-carrying

capacity, improve voltage to equipment, reduce power losses, and lower electric bills. The

simplest way to improve power factor is to add PF correction capacitors to the electrical system.

PF correction capacitors act as reactive current generators. They help offset the non-working

power used by inductive loads, thereby improving the power factor. The interaction between PF

capacitors and specialized equipment, such as variable speed drives, requires a well designed

system.

PF correction capacitors can switch on every day when the inductive equipment starts. The

most practical and economical power factor correction device is the capacitor. It improves the

power factor because the effects of capacitance are exactly opposite from those of inductance.

In this project, the capacitors can be connected using manual switches in manual operation

mode. In automatic mode, the capacitors are connected through electromagnetic relay with

predefined time delay to demonstrate the power factor correction practically.

AT89S52 MCU is used to control the switching relays. 16X2 alphanumeric LCD is used to

display the status. This project uses regulated 5V, 750mA power supply. 7805 three terminal

voltage regulator is used for voltage regulation. Bridge type full wave rectifier is used to rectify

the ac output of secondary of 230/12V step down transformer.

 Block Diagram: Capacitive Load Banks for Power Factor Correction
with Automatic and Manual mode setting

Contras
t control

AC
AT89S52 16X2 Input
MCU Alphanumeric
`
LCD
Powe
r on
Rese Relay Capacitiv Inducti
t driver e load ve Load
bank 1
Manual Power
reset factor
Relay Capaciti
meter
driver ve load
bank 2
Crystal
Relay Capaciti
driver ve load
bank 3
Auto
Manual Transist Buzzer
Switch or AC
driver Lamp
Load Load
ckt
bank
selectio
n
switch

Step Bridge Filter

down Regulato
Rectifier Circuit
T/F r Power supply to all
sections