Implementation of SVC (Static VAR Compensator) for Power Factor Improvement using Microcontroller

Electrical distribution systems bearing large losses as the loads are wide spread, reactive power compensation facilities and improper control of the same. The comprehensive static VAR compensator consisting of capacitor bank in four binary sequential steps in conjunction with a thyristor (SCR) or Traic controlled reactor of smallest step size is employed in the investigative work. Same work deals with the performance evaluation through analytical studies and practical implementation on an existing system consisting of a distribution transformer of 1 PH phase 50 Hz, 230V capacity. This paper describes development of single phase SCR based Static VAR Compensate SVC for reactive power compensation and power factor correction using microcontroller. The microcontroller determines the firing pulse for the SCR or Traic to compensate excessive reactive components, thus withdraw PF near to unity. Power factor improvement circuits were added in power systems to sinusoidal shape the AC line current and to put it in phase with the ac line voltage.