Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Most of the appliances nowadays are inductive in nature. This inductive loads generate

lagging currents resulting into poor power factor of an electrical system. In most system a poor

power factor is often overlooked. An electrical system with poor power factor generates high

current which result into some losses, decrease in efficiency and quality of electricity.

It is for this reason that it is beneficial to monitor the power and improve the power factor

of an electrical system. The microcontroller in this study will monitor the power and power factor

of electricity and improve the poor power factor by switching capacitor parallel with the line

supplying inductive loads.

Higher currents also result into voltage fluctuation that could shorten the life span of

equipment sensitive into voltage fluctuation. This study will be useful during this situation as this

study improve the power factor which at the same time monitor the power and alert the end user

when voltage fluctuation occur.

Other trends in monitoring and improving power factor available in the market are

expensive. The device used in this study is easy to assemble and is cheap, this is an advantage that

makes it more practicable than market available power factor improvement and monitoring

devices.
1.2 Objectives of the study

General objectives of the study aims to monitor power and improve the power factor of an
electrical system with linear inductive loadings.

Specifically, it aims to:

a. To monitor the following parameters.

 Voltage
 Current
 Real Power
 Power Factor
b. To minimize excess current used by a poor power factor electrical system.
c. To alert the user about the status of power factor and voltage fluctuation,
d. To evaluate the performance of a Microcontroller based power factor improvement and
monitoring system.
 Functionality
 Reliability
 Usability
 Efficiency
1.3 Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to the following:

1. End-user-of electricity

The improvement of the power factor on the load side of an end user reduces the current

drawn by the line which supplies the inductive loadings. This in turn free up some more capacity

into the system and also increase the efficiency and quality of an electricity. This study can help

to their equipment’s efficiency in good condition and makes life last longer and also decreases

the voltage drop of the system and to avoid voltage fluctuation in sensitive equipment.

2. Distribution Utilities

Improvement of the power factor from the load side of every end user free up some capacity

in the transformer supplying the residential unit. Lowering the current supplied by the transformer

thus decreasing losses in the system. Also improvement of power factor is cost economic because

it reduce the parameters used to follow the rating of the equipment. The study can be used as a

power factor correction in the distribution system. It can be used as its displays the parameters of

the system to monitor the arch has change.

3. Students/Faculty

This system will be installed at a room in the CEA building. CEA building sometimes

experience voltage fluctuations (Low Voltage) which might be caused by greater voltage drop in

the main line supplying the building due to high current running through those long cables. Power

factor improvement reduces current drawn by poor power factor circuit. By this it could somehow

provide a power factor correction to minimize voltage fluctuations.

1.4 Scopes and Limitation

The system will monitor the power and improve the power factor of the load side of the

building. The status will be displayed in the LCD Module and the user of the system will be notified

via SMS about the power factor or if there is a dips and swell in the voltage of an electrical system.

The device will be installed at the CEA Laboratory. This system will monitor at time increment

installed in its program.

This device focus only on 230VAC line to ground, 60Hz single phase electrical system

where the maximum current rating is 100A and a total reactive power compensation of 3kVar.

During power interruption since there is no power factor to improve and no power to monitor,

therefore, there is no need for the system to work.

The system focus on improving poor power factor caused by linear inductive load.

Improvement of the power factor is done by connecting four capacitor in parallel with the line

supplying inductive loading. The system will notify the user via GSM if the desired Improvement

in the power factor improvement was not met. However, this device is not capable of sending

SMS when the user is out of reach and/or the SIM Card in the GSM module is not loaded

The monitoring of power and power factor is done by PZEM-004T with monitoring

capability with voltage (ranging from 80-260VAC), current (ranging from 0-100A) and power

(22kW). The amount of capacitor to be switched will be determined by the equation

programmed in the microcontroller.

 The casing should be metal where it could protect the system from any natural

disturbance and also safety for the user as the casing could be grounded. Any interference caused

by magnetic waves is not a concern in this studies. It could be a subject for future studies.
 1.5 Conceptual Framework

Input Process OUTPUT

Knowledge Requirement

1. Arduino Programming

2. Power Factor
calculations

3. Reactive power
Design
calculations

4. Construction works

Software Requirements

1. Arduino IDE

Hardware requirements
Microcontroller Based
1. Microcontroller Power Factor
Fabrication improvement and
2. AC Power Monitoring
Module Monitoring

3. LCD module

4. Relay Module

5. Capacitors

6. GSM module

Material Requirement Evaluation

1. Soldering Iron

2. Multimeter

3. Wires

4. Bolts

5. Screw Drivers, etc.

1.6 Definition of Terms

Electricity - is the presence and flow of electric charge. Its best-known form is the flow of

electrons through conductors such as copper wires.

Power Factor - is defined as the ratio of the real power flowing to the load to the apparent

power in the circuit.

Electric Power Quality – The steadiness of voltage.

Voltage - is the pressure from an electrical circuit's power source that pushes charged electrons

(current) through a conducting loop, enabling them to do work such as illuminating a light.

Current - is the flow of electrical charge carriers like electrons. Current flows from negative to

positive points. The SI unit for measuring electric current is the ampere (A). One ampere of

current is defined as one coulomb of electrical charge moving past a unique point in a second.

Active Power - The power which is actually consumed or utilized in an AC Circuit is called

True power or Active Power or real power. It is measured in kilo watt (kW) or MW. It is the

actual outcomes of the electrical system which runs the electric circuits or load.

Reactive Power - he power which flows back and forth that mean it moves in both the direction

in the circuit or react upon itself, is called Reactive Power. The reactive power is measured in

kilo volt ampere reactive (kVAR) or MVAR.

Apparent Power - The product of root mean square (RMS) value of voltage and current is

known as Apparent Power. This power is measured in kVA or MVA.

PZEM-004T - This is an electric monitoring test module with a current transformer and USB

adapter. The module can be used to test power, energy, voltage as well as current, and then

display on a PC or other terminals.

RELAY - an electrical device, typically incorporating an electromagnet, that is activated by a

current or signal in one circuit to open or close another circuit.

GSM SIM800L - The SIM800L module supports quad-band GSM/GPRS network, available for

GPRS and SMS message data remote transmission.

ARDUINO - is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and

software.

VOLTAGE DIPS – called when voltage goes beyond a standard level.

VOLTAGE SWELL - called when voltage goes above a standard level.

RMS -
 CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter of study presents the review of related literature and review of related

studies.

2.1 Review of Related Literature

Hunger for energy sources is insatiable however we barely understand that we are

squandering a piece of energy ordinary because of slacking power factor of the inductive burdens

that we utilize. Effective generation of power at present is critical as wastage of power is a

worldwide concern. Poor power quality is turning into a reason for worries of both the end-client

and the providers of power. Poor power factor results into low quality of power, decreased

efficiency, increase in losses and furthermore may cause breakdowns in the power system.

The significance of power issue lies within the incontrovertible fact that utility firms offer

customers with volt-amperes, however bill them for watts. Power factors below 1.0 require a utility

to come up with quite the minimum volt-amperes necessary to supply the real power (watts). This

will increase generation and transmission prices. For example, if the load power factor were as

low as 0.6, the apparent power would be 1.7 times the real power used by the load. Line current

within the circuit would even be 1.7 times the present needed at 1.0 power factor, therefore the

losses within the circuit would be doubled (since they're proportional to the square of the current).

Instead all elements of the system like generators, conductors, transformers, and switchgear would

be accumulated in size (and cost) to hold the additional current.

 It is a great concern that this loss would be compensated by improving the power factor

because in most power systems, a poor power factor resulting from an increasing use of inductive

loads is often overlooked. A poor power factor correction unit would allow the system to restore

its power factor close to unity for economical operation. There are many methods of improving

the power factor that have been proposed such as capacitor banking, using synchronous motors or

condensers and phase advancers.

2.2 Review of Related studies

Power factor in a measure of how efficient the power is being utilized. Power factor is

characterized as the ratio of the true power (watts) to the total power (volt amp). This means if the

power factor is low, the apparent power is much bigger than the real power. For the real power to

become closer to the value of the apparent power the power factor needs to be as close to unity.

Due to the increasing use of inductive loads, the power factor of an electrical system is becoming

poor. This generates high current which result into generation of heat and losses.

In linear loads, improvement of poor power factor could be done by connecting capacitors

in parallel with the line that supply the inductive linear loads. This system focuses on improving

the power factor and monitoring the power of a single phase 230VAC electrical system.
LCD MODULE

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen is an electronic display module and find a wide range

of applications. A 16x2 LCD display is very basic module and is very commonly used in various

devices and circuits. A 16x2 LCD means it can display 16 characters per line and there are 2 such

lines. In this LCD each character is displayed in 5x7 pixel matrix.

https://www.engineersgarage.com/electronic-components/16x2-lcd-module-datasheet
RELAY

This is a 5V 4-channel relay interface board, and each channel needs a 15-20mA driver

current. It can be used to control various appliances and equipment with large current. It is

equipped with high-current relays that work under AC250V 10A or DC30V 10A. It has a

standard interface that can be controlled directly by microcontroller.

http://wiki.sunfounder.cc/index.php?title=4_Channel_5V_Relay_Module
PZEM-004T

This is an electric monitoring test module with a current transformer and USB adapter.

The module can be used to test power, energy, voltage as well as current, and then display on a

PC or other terminals. Designed with one key reset button, you can reset energy data by simply

pressing one button. Moreover, it can store data when power off, and store the accumulated

energy data before power off, so it is very convenient to use it.

https://www.amazon.com/PZEM-004T-Current-Voltage-Multimeter-80-260V/dp/B074QF7PGM
ARDUINO UNO

The Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATMega328.It has 14 digital

input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal

oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button.

https://www.trossenrobotics.com/p/arduino-uno.aspx
GSM SIM 800L

The SIM800L module supports quad-band GSM/GPRS network, available for GPRS and

SMS message data remote transmission. The SIM800L communicates with microcontroller via

UART port, supports command including 3GPP TS 27.007, 27.005 and SIMCOM enhanced AT

Commands.

https://robokits.co.in/wireless-solutions/gsm-gprs/sim800l-gprs-gsm-module-micro-sim-card-

core-board-quad-band-ttl
CBB65A-1 40UF CAPACITOR

Motor capacitor, such as a start capacitor or run capacitor is an electrical capacitor that

alters the current to one or more windings of a single phase AC induction motor.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/CBB65A-1-40uF-5-AC-450V-50-60Hz-Non-Polar-Motor-

Capacitor-for-Air-Conditioner/32538327757.html
Automatic Power Factor Controller using Pic Microcontroller

In this project, power factor correction prototype is developed using pic microcontroller,

relays, potential transformer, current transformer and zero crossing circuit. PIC16F877A

microcontroller calculate power factor and take necessary actions based on power factor. Relay

driver IC UNL2003 is connected with microcontroller and which is used to drive relays.

Microcontroller sends high signal to relay driver IC whenever power factors falls less than 0.9.

ULN2003 turn on relays which in return connects capacitor banks with the load. First of all the

phase difference between voltage and current waveforms are measured and then power factor is

calculated. In case of low power factor capacitors are added to improve it. (Author. Bilal Malik)

http://microcontrollerslab.com/automatic-power-factor-controller-using-pic-microcontroller/

AC Digital Multifunction Smart Meter using Arduino and PZEM- 004T

Every management system is trying to make an automatic, portable, accurate and reliable

system to for measurement. This project work presents a novel smart meter for an automatic and

superior metering, billing and warning system. The integration of the Arduino and LCD provide

the meter reading system with some automatic functions that are predefined. The proposed energy

meter system can incorporate with an embedded microcontroller and PZEM-004T AC Digital

Multifunction Meter designed by Peacefair. PZEM-004T having the ability to measure Electrical

parameters such as voltage, current, active power and energy. (Author. Mr. Pramil Wakchaure)

https://innovatorsguru.com/ac-digital-multi-function-smart-meter-using-arduino-and-pzem-004t/
Automatic Power Factor Controller using Microcontroller

When load is connected the power factor is calculated by the PIC microcontroller. If the

calculated power factor is less than 0.9 then the relay switches on the capacitor. The relays are

switched using ULN2003 which is basically a driver IC. ULN2003 consists of seven

DARLINGTON PAIRS. The current lead in capacitor compensates the corresponding current lag

which is usually present in loads. Hence the phase difference between the current and voltage will

be reduced. (Author. Divya Syamala)

https://electrosome.com/automatic-power-factor-controller-using-microcontroller/

GSM Based Automatic Energy Meter Reading

This paper presents the design of a simple low cost wireless GSM energy meter and its

associated web interface, for automating billing and managing the collected data globally. The

proposed system replaces traditional meter reading methods and enables remote access of existing

energy meter by the energy provider. Also they can monitor the meter readings regularly without

the person visiting each house. A GSM based wireless communication module is integrated with

electronic energy meter of each entity to have remote access over the usage of electricity. (Author:

K. Ashna)

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6526385
 CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter of the study details the step-by-step procedure of the project design, project

development, operation and testing procedures conducted by the researcher.

3.1 Design Criteria

The following criteria should be considered in the construction of the Microcontroller

based power factor improvement and monitoring system.

1. The system will be connected to 230V 60Hz power source.

2. The microcontroller will be supplied by 5V DC power source.

3. The power supply of the microcontroller and the Relay should be different.

4. The wiring of the Pzem-004T should be wired such that there is no loose connection.

3.2 Parameters to be analyzed.

The following parameters are essential for functionality of the device.

1. Current and voltage output of the power supply.

2. Current, Voltage and Active Power reading of the system

3. The microcontroller program data.

4. The capacitance of the individual capacitor.

5. The amount of reactive power to be compensated.

 4. Reactive power

Complex power(S) composed of the Real power (P) and the Reactive power (Q).

Calculation for the amount of capacitor to be switched into the line will be determined by the

amount of reactive power needed to be compensated by the system.

Mathematically, Reactive power (Q):

Q = tan (Ө) * P

Where:

Ө = cos-1(p.f.)

𝑅𝐸𝐴𝐿 𝑃𝑂𝑊𝐸𝑅(𝑃)
P.F. = 𝐴𝑃𝑃𝐴𝑅𝐸𝑁𝑇 𝑃𝑂𝑊𝐸𝑅(𝑆)

Real Power (P), Vrms and Irms will be provided by the PZEM – 004T AC multimeter

module.

Reactive power compensation of a single capacitor.

1
Xc = 2𝜋∗(60𝐻𝑧)∗(40∗10−6 𝐹) = 66.31Ω

𝑉2 (230𝑉)2
Q (single capacitor) = 𝑋𝑐 = = 797.77 VAr
66.31Ω

Total reactive power compensation.

𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 4*(797.77Var) = 3191.08 VAr

Therefore, 𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 ≈ 3kVAr, this implies that this system is only capable of compensating reactive

power up to 3kVar.
MICROCONTROLLER BASED POWER FACTOR IMPROVEMENT AND MONITORING

GSM LCD

POWER PZEM-004T
SUPPLY ARDUINO

POWER
RELAY
SUPPLY

CAPACITORS

Figure #. Block Diagram

MICROCONTROLLER BASED POWER FACTOR IMPROVEMENT AND MONITORING

START

READ
PARAMETERS
S

DISPLAY IN LCD

YES NO

IS (253<= voltage<=207)
IS (0.95 < P.F. < 1)

SEND SMS

CALCULATE REQUIRED
CAPACITOR

SWITCH RELAY/
CONNECT CAPACITOR

Figure #. Flow Chart

 FABRICATION DESIGN

Figure #. Fabrication Design

 SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

Figure #. Schematic Diagram.

Tools and Equipment Used

1. Multimeter

2. Pliers

3. Soldering Iron

4. Soldering Lead.

5. Soldering Pump

6. Wires.

7. Electric Drill

8. Breadboard

Construction Procedure

1. Prepare the tools for the device.

2. Prepare the components.

3. Program the Microcontroller

4. Assemble the components together.

5. Turn on the device

6. Check each components of the device.

7. Final Test the device.

8. Install the device

 OPERATION AND TESTING PROCEDURE

1 Testing of the device can be done by anyone who has knowledge in basic

Programming operation and electrical system operation.

The following procedures should be followed for the test ‘run’ of the device:

1. Assemble the parts as designed.

2. Check the connection of each part.

3. Connect to the power source.

4. Upload the program in the PC and run the program.

5. Test the whole operation of the system.

Instrumentation-Tools

a. Pliers – It is a hand tool with two hinged arms ending in jaws that are close by hand

pressure to grip something. It is used to splice the wires and grab or hold an

electronic component in circuit.

b. Multimeter- It is combination of a voltmeter, ammeter, and ohmmeter. It can also

be used to test diode and continuity test.

c. Breadboard- it is used as a temporary board in testing of the project before

permanently placing it to the PCB.

d. Hand drill- Is a tool fitted with a cutting tool attachment or driving tool attachment,

usually a drill bit or driver bit, use for boring holes in various materials or fastening

various materials together with the use of fasteners.

e. Soldering iron – is a tool that electrical heated and used for joining parts with solder.

f. Screw Driver - is a tool, manual or powered, for screwing and unscrewing (inserting

and removing) screws.

 Cost Estimate

ITEM UNIT QUANTITY UNIT COST TOTAL COST

(Php.) (Php.)

Arduino Uno Pc. 1 600 600

PZEM-004T Pc. 1 600 600

module

Relay Module Pc. 1 400 400

LCD module Pc. 1 400 400

Capacitor Pcs. 1 300 300

GSM module Pc. 1 450 450

Soldering Iron Pc. 1 200 200

Soldering Lead Meter 2 15 30

Wires Meter 3 20 60

Power Supply Pcs. 2 150 300

12V fan Pc. 1 50 50

Breadboard Pc. 1 170 50

 Cost Analysis

COST ANALYSIS AMOUNT(Php.)

Project Cost 4000

Travel Expenses 600

Circuit Construction

Research Expenses

Printing

TOTAL
 3.4 Evaluation procedure

A survey was made after a satisfactory result of the testing procedure using qualitative analysis

of determining the acceptability of the project. Questionnaires were distributed to ten (10) respondent

who were present during the testing procedure. Prior to the evaluation proceeding, a demonstration of

the operation and features of the project was conducted at CEA Building. Respondents were present

during the said activity and were given evaluation copy.

Treatment of Data

From the data gathered, the mean (x) for each criterion was computed. A scoring system was

employed in the scale of one (1) to five (5) with one being lowest and five as the highest. The state

criteria were scored ad rated using the following rating:

5 ……………………………………. Very Acceptable

4 ……………………………………. Acceptable

3……………………………………. Moderately Acceptable

2 ……………………………………. Inacceptable

1 …………………………………… Very Inacceptable

The mean (x) for every criterion was computed and from it the grand mean (X) was computed to

check the overall acceptability of the project. The formula shown was used:

Grand Mean (X) = sum (x)/n

Where:

x = the individual mean

n = number of criteria for the evaluation